David was being pursued by Cush, a Benjamite. King Saul was also a Benjamite. Cush was part of the forces that Saul sent to find and tear David apart like a lion would, or at least Cush would bring him to King Saul for judgment, prison, and/or execution. David could not go to one of the refuge cities the Lord through Moses had established. (Numbers 35:6-34) So he declared that the LORD, his God would be his refuge. “Save and deliver me from all who pursue me,” David cried out to his Refuge.
David did not take it for granted he was innocent. Rather he searched his soul to see what was his part in ending up on the run as a fugitive. He considered if he had done any wrong. If he was guilty he would accept the pursuit ending with his life being trampled to the ground and sleep in the dust.
I too am to search my soul for why I am here in these circumstances. Self-examination in humility before God is a vital step in repentance and healing. If I have harmed or offended another I need to make recompense as long as doing so doesn’t further harm others. “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-32)
