What other biblical figures sought sanctuary in times of fear or danger? The scene in 1 Kings 1:50 “Then Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.” Why God-fearing people ran to sacred spaces • They believed the Lord’s presence was concentrated there. • They counted on covenant mercy and the restraint of righteous rulers. • They trusted promises that God shields the innocent and hears the repentant. Other Old-Testament figures who sought sanctuary • Joab at the same altar – “When the news reached Joab…he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar.” (1 Kings 2:28) • Jacob at Bethel – Fleeing Esau, he lay down at Bethel and received the ladder-vision: “Surely the LORD is in this place.” (Genesis 28:16) • Moses in Midian – After killing the Egyptian, “Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian.” (Exodus 2:15) • David at Nob – Hunted by Saul, “David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest” and received holy bread and Goliath’s sword. (1 Samuel 21:1–9) • David in the cave of Adullam – “David departed…and escaped to the cave of Adullam” where God gathered supporters around him. (1 Samuel 22:1–2) • Elijah at Horeb – Fearing Jezebel, “he arose and ran for his life…to Horeb, the mountain of God.” (1 Kings 19:3–9) • Jeremiah in Jonathan’s house – The prophet was hidden in a dungeon-house when officials sought his death. (Jeremiah 37:15–16) • A fugitive manslayer in a City of Refuge – “You shall designate cities of refuge, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.” (Numbers 35:11) Covenant provision: the Cities of Refuge Joshua 20 records six towns where an accused killer was safe until trial. God built sanctuary into Israel’s geography, previewing Christ as ultimate refuge (He 6:18). New-Testament echoes • Joseph, Mary, and the Child – Warned by an angel, they “withdrew to Egypt and stayed there until the death of Herod.” (Matthew 2:14–15) • Jesus Himself – When threatened in Nazareth, “passing through the midst of them, He went on His way.” (Luke 4:30) • The apostles – “They found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe.” (Acts 14:6) • Paul lowered from Damascus – “His disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.” (Acts 9:25) What ties these accounts together • God never rebukes a righteous flight; He often orchestrates it. • Sacred spaces—altars, temples, covenant cities—served as tangible reminders that His mercy is nearer than the threat. • Every sanctuary episode foreshadows the cross, where sinners grasp not horns of brass but the saving Son, finding perfect refuge. |
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