The Lord is [Migdal-Oz] for the oppressed,
Psalm 9:9-10
a refuge in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
Migdal-Oz: My Strong Tower (or my Shelter, My Stronghold)
David is exactly the man who would know about shelters, strong towers, safe places. He spent a lot of his life on the run. David was hunted by his own king, by Saul, to whom he continually showed unbelievable loyalty despite. He was the man who confronted Goliath, Goliath the giant, and he spent many years of his life – running? From Saul, who would not confront Goliath but sent a child out in his place? No, David did not run because he was afraid. He ran because Saul was his God-anointed king, and he would not raise a hand against him. Because if Saul found him, he would have to kill or be killed, and he refused to kill the king God had anointed out of reverence for God and God alone. He was convicted to protect a man who wanted to murder him! Oof. He had no choice, not really. He had to run.
One thing David would have known well, then, from his life on the run, were refuges. Safe places where, for a moment, a man could stop running and just live. Safe places, protected places. There were probably precious few of those in his life. But in the midst of the running, he had one safe place, always, that came with him; the place he found peace the most – Migdal-Oz, his Shelter. ❤
