Secondly, these men were remarkably discontented—discontented with Saul, the reigning king, his service, and his rewards; and they came to David, an uncrowned king, with no apparent advantage to offer them. True type of those who, like Moses in a similar case, have "chosen rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
Thirdly, they were in remarkable distress. So are all those who come to King Jesus—a distress which others cannot understand, and often cannot account for. "What must I do to be saved?" is a strange trouble to many.
Fourthly, they had remarkable desires. They wished to find David, to dwell with him, and have him for their leader and captain. And David himself was a fugitive, hunted by Saul—poor, powerless, and hidden away in a cave in a mountain, where, probably, it was very difficult to find him. So there are some (only a few compared with the number of the people of the land, like David's four hundred) whose hearts are set on finding Jesus. They wish to be near Him always. He (like David) is difficult to find. He must be usually searched for "as for hid treasures" (Prov. ii. 4), but when found, He becomes their Captain.
Fifthly, these men had a remarkable reception. They had no good characters—nothing to recommend them—but they were received. So Jesus also "receiveth sinners and eateth with them." As the Pharisees despised Jesus for keeping such company, so Saul and his servants despised David. Jesus says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
The reception of the four hundred was also remarkable because they were uninvited. But here the type fails. Jesus has invited those who "come" to Him (see Matt. xi. 28).
Sixthly, the men made remarkable soldiers. Their doings are recorded in 2 Samuel xxiii., and the doings and victories of the good soldiers of Jesus Christ are to be found in Hebrews xi. David's soldiers did not live idle lives in the cave, nor do Christ's soldiers have peace always. They have to "fight the good fight of faith" with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God," and the bow of prayer. They fight, however, with their Captain's eye upon them (see Psa. xxxiv. 15).
Lastly, they were remarkably rewarded. When David came to the throne, they were put in positions of honour. The visible reward of Christ's followers is yet to come (Dan. vii. 22, 27; Matt. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 29, 30). He has promised also to give them "manifold more in this present time," as well as "life everlasting" (Luke xviii. 28-30).
The prizes were then distributed by the Pastor, and after a concluding word of prayer, this encouraging meeting was brought to a close.
E. M.