Wilderness: The wilderness meant for David a dearth of provision, danger from the elements, and dread of his own sin. The last of these was the most painful to David. His sin weighed him down. He was fleeing to the desert because his son had usurped his throne and wanted his head.[1] How did this come about? It began with his own moral failure with adultery and murder. Then when immorality erupted in his own family, he had no moral authority to bring justice. Absalom his son, therefore, took matters into his own hands and murdered the perpetrator, his elder brother Amnon. Resentful toward his own father, Absalom eventually deposed him. David went away dejected with his tail between his legs, with no fight left in him. He was once a mighty warrior, the slayer of Goliath, victor over ten thousands,[2] but now he fled in shame, defeated and dejected. This was David in the wilderness.[3]

Satisfaction: In this time of weariness and want, this man did not seek earthly deliverance, solutions, or relief. He sought the LORD. Seeing God for who He is was the balm for his soul. As he had seen God by faith in the sanctuary (2) and in his bedroom (6), so he sought Him in the wilderness (1). Seeing God was his fountain of joy and song. His lips, his mouth, his hand, and his soul all testified together (3-5, 7). All is a burden when our eyes cannot see God. The most lavish supply of earthly delights is tasteless when our hearts cannot feel Him. God is our marrow and fatness (5), our only satisfaction in the wilderness.[4]

[1] Most scholars see this time in the wilderness as David’s flight from Absalom. His self-reference as king (11) and echo of words like “wilderness” (2 Sam. 15:23) and “weary” (2 Sam. 16:14) suggests this was the context.

[2] These three descriptions of him are found in 1 Sam. 16:18; 17:50; 18:7, respectively.

[3] This entire account is found in 2 Samuel 11-15. Several psalms speak of this time: Ps. 3, 4, 32, 51, 63.

[4] The book of Psalms repeatedly testifies of this reality: Psalm 16:11; 17:15; 23:1; 37:4.