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Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

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requires His people to tell the truth, even in the greatest peril.

Doeg, chief of Saul's herders, was fulfilling his vows in the

place of worship. When David saw this man, he was determined to

quickly find another place of safety. He asked Ahimelech for a

sword and was told that he had none except the sword of Goliath,

kept as a relic in the tabernacle. David replied, "There is none like it;

give it to me."

David fled to Achish, king of Gath, because he felt that there

was more safety among the enemies of his people than in Saul's

kingdom. But someone told Achish that David was the man who had

killed the Philistine champion years before. This put David, who

was seeking safety among these enemies of Israel, in great danger.

But, pretending to be insane, he deceived his enemies and was able

to escape.

David's first mistake was to distrust God at Nob; his second, to

deceive Achish. As trials came upon him, his faith was shaken and

human weakness appeared. Everyone looked like a spy and a

betrayer to him. As he was hunted and persecuted, perplexity and

distress nearly hid his heavenly Father from his sight.

Every failure on the part of the children of God is because of

their lack of faith. When shadows cloud the soul, we must look up;

there is light beyond the darkness. David should not have distrusted

God. He was the Lord's anointed. If he had just stopped dwelling on

his distressing situation and had thought of God's power and

597

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