Topical Bible: Forests were Places of Refuge

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In the biblical narrative, forests often serve as places of refuge and concealment for individuals seeking safety from adversaries or divine judgment. The dense and often impenetrable nature of forests provided natural cover and protection, making them ideal sanctuaries in times of distress.

One of the most notable instances of a forest serving as a place of refuge is found in the account of David. Pursued by King Saul, who sought to take his life, David frequently sought refuge in the wilderness and forested areas. In 1 Samuel 22:5, the prophet Gad instructs David, "Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart, and go into the land of Judah." David then moves to the forest of Hereth, where he finds safety from Saul's relentless pursuit.

Similarly, the forest of Ephraim becomes a significant location during the rebellion of Absalom against his father, King David. In 2 Samuel 18:6-8, the battle between Absalom's forces and David's men takes place in the forest of Ephraim. The forest itself plays a crucial role in the outcome, as it is said, "The forest devoured more people that day than the sword." The dense terrain provided both a refuge and a strategic advantage for David's forces.

Forests also appear as places of divine encounter and protection. In the book of Genesis, after Jacob flees from Laban, he encounters angels of God at Mahanaim, a location often associated with forested areas (Genesis 32:1-2). This encounter reassures Jacob of God's protection as he prepares to meet his brother Esau.

The prophet Elijah, fleeing from Queen Jezebel, finds refuge in the wilderness, which includes forested regions. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah travels into the wilderness and sits under a broom tree, where he experiences God's provision and care through the ministry of an angel.

Forests, with their natural seclusion and resources, provided not only physical protection but also opportunities for spiritual reflection and divine encounters. They served as sanctuaries where individuals could seek God's guidance and protection away from the threats of the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 22:5
And the prophet Gad said to David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get you into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 23:16
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Martyr Adalbert in Prussia.
... and they went joyfully through thick forests singing and ... flow back in blessing to
the places from which ... seeds of Christianity, already sown, were menaced with ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/the martyr adalbert in prussia.htm

The Church, the Place of Worship
... with His shrines, and mines and forests and human ... the earliest days have had consecrated
places which were ... place of their martyrdom, and hence were called by ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/the church the place of.htm

A Long Twilight. AD 900-1100.
... into the vast plains and thick forests and morasses ... frequent occurrence at this period,
were in great ... in the most Christian and civilized places, is curiously ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter ii a long twilight.htm

Six Cities
... and made us sit together in heavenly places."[35] We ... of Refuge no weapons of any
kind were allowed to be ... other side of the Jordan, with their forests of native ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/ii six cities.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... long drought of this summer; when the forests were burning for ... that, and tell you
that you were looking at ... harder mud, and inside each storey places some five ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... of the party were in their places, headed the ... Without forests, spotted only with
verdure, vast, barren, exhausted ... Aquila who rode in the open were fair targets ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

Columban.
... and two others were founded, both in solitary places,"one at ... The monks were to prove
that faith multiplies what we ... in the midst of the wild forests, he chose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/columban.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... to the shores of the Dead Sea, and skulked there in "lurking places" among the ... Traces
of the palm forests which, as its name indicates, were cleared for its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

The Barbarian Desolation
... And they set fire to the forests which covered the ... to force the refugees out of their
hiding-places. ... of the Vandals themselves, because they were injuring the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iii the barbarian desolation.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... of turning the numerous preaching places into independent ... canoe, he sped through
primeval forests, by flowers ... the other; and among those men were murderers who ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm