1 Samuel 23:26-28 (ESV) Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.

After David became a hero to the Israelites by defeating Goliath and gaining victory after victory over the Philistines, King Saul became jealous of him and sought to kill him. David had to go on the run, living in caves in the desert and feeling alone and afraid many times. It wasn't just Saul hunting for him, but it was the entire army of Israel that was after him by King Saul's command. In addition to that, there were people who would tell Saul where David was when they would see him while he was on the run. David had made his way to the Wilderness of Maon, when the Ziphites spotted him and went to tell Saul. Saul immediately set out to find him and kill him and the chase was on. The Bible says that when David heard that Saul was near with his army, he went down to “the rock” (1 Samuel 23:25). At that moment, Saul was on one side of the mountain and David and his men were on the other side. As Saul was closing in, God intervened providentially. Saul received word that the Philistines were attacking the land, so he had to abandon his pursuit of David and go off to fight them. That's went David called that place, the Rock of Escape.

With a better perspective from the scriptures today, we know that this was a symbol of our Rock, Jesus. Jesus is not only the Rock of our salvation, the Rock that waters our thirsty souls, and the Rock who is our firm foundation, but He is also our Rock of Escape. He is the one who is always with us and who always protects us. He is the one that keeps us safe in trouble, and who delivers us from our enemies. That's why He told us not to be afraid, because He overcame the world (John 16:33). David found his refuge in God and a way of escape from mortal danger at the Rock of Escape. Let us also find our safety and our deliverance from Him, along with everything else that Jesus, the Lord our Rock, provides (Psalm 18:2)!

Pastor Joey Vazquez