Verses: Psalm 142; 1 Samuel 22:1
Fun Fact: Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system with over 400 miles explored
Favorite Hike: Domes and Dripstones Tour
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in the western part of Kentucky, ninety minutes north of Nashville and ninety minutes south of Louisville. It is the world's longest known cave system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve.
Over 400 miles have been surveyed with new passages or connections being added each year. Scientists estimate the park has the potential to include 1,000 miles of caves or more. There are also a number of caves within the park that aren’t directly connected to the larger system. Only a small percentage of the caves are open to the public, roughly 15 miles.
There are several tours to pick from varying in duration, distance and difficulty. Some of the most popular include Frozen Niagara, Domes and Dripstones, and Gothic Avenue.
Tours are offered year-round. While the weather at the entrance of the cave may change with the seasons, the cave temperature only varies slightly, usually staying consistently around 54 degrees.What you may not know about Mammoth Cave National Park is that it played a critical role during the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Great Britain. Mammoth Cave contains large quantities of saltpeter which was mined and used to make gunpowder. Following the war when mining operations shut down, tourist activities began to increase.
There are a number of caves throughout the current day regions of Israel and Jordan, and we see references to caves occasionally throughout the Bible, usually used as hiding places, temporary places of dwelling, or tombs.
One such cave is the cave of Adullam, which is introduced in 1 Samuel 22:1
So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him.
David was anointed as king following Saul’s reign marred by disobedience to God. In chapters 16-22 of 1 Samuel, we see a pattern of David’s favor and Saul’s jealousy. David was described as esteemed, successful, and loved (1 Samuel 18:30), whereas Saul is described as being taken over by harmful spirits (1 Samuel 16:14). A long story short, Saul becomes increasingly jealous of David and plots to kill him. This leads David to fear for his life and flee into the cave.
We can turn to Psalm 142 to catch a glimpse of David’s heart during this time. This particular Psalm was written during David’s time in the cave.
I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord;
I make supplication with my voice to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare my trouble before Him.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
You knew my path.
In the way where I walk
They have hidden a trap for me.
Look to the right and see;
For there is no one who regards me;
There is no escape for me;
No one cares for my soul.
I cried out to You, O Lord;
I said, “You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.”
Give heed to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are too strong for me.
Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will deal bountifully with me.
Through these seven verses we hear the cry of David in his despair. He feels alone and the situation seems hopeless, but David acknowledges the Lord as his true refuge. The cave may be a physical place of temporary refuge, but the Lord is our ultimate stronghold.
As you prepare to visit Mammoth Cave, read through the second half of 1 Samuel and Psalm 142 and read the story that leads to David fleeing to the cave and the state of his heart during that time. Be encouraged that through his anguish, he acknowledges the Lord as his refuge. I pray you are reminded to do the same in your life.
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