“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8
All doubt had been removed from David’s mind, and there was no denying the fact that Saul wanted to kill him. If David ever wondered if just maybe it was King Saul’s bad mood that led him to throw a javelin at David twice, or send guards to his house to arrest him, now all doubt had been removed. Jonathan confirmed David’s worst fears that, yes indeed, Saul wanted him dead. David’s heart must have sunk in fear as he asked himself “Why? What did I ever do?”
Seeking answers and refuge, David wanted to get as close to God as he could, so he ran to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. David asked the priest for two things, any kind of weapon that the priest might have, and any kind of food that the priest could spare. Ahimelech gave David the sword of Goliath and the Shewbread from the Alter of Presence.
The sword would be a constant reminder to David that if the Lord had delivered him once, He would certainly do it again. As uneven as the odds had been stacked against David that day when he came out to face Goliath, David knew God had fought for him. And now, in his confusion and hurt, with so many questions unanswered, David was reminded that the Lord would fight for him again.
After searching and finding no food to give David, Ahimelech offered him the fresh Shewbread, or the Bread of Presence. This Shewbread signified that the presence of God was continually in the Holy Place and was to only be eaten by the priest. This was the second sign David needed to give him encouragement for the long road ahead. David had no way of knowing then that in the future, God’s son, Jesus, would offer bread to His people
On the night Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread, broke it and gave it to his disciples gathered around the table. It was the sign of the New Covenant God would establish with all mankind, and in just hours, the covenant would be ratified through Jesus’ death on the cross. Not only would the Bread of Presence be with us, but He, Jesus the Bread of Life would be in us.
Today, taste and see knowing with certainty that Jesus is ever present with you and will always fight for you.