1 Samuel

1 Samuel 23:1-5

The Philistines attacked the threshing floors to steal food and starve the Israelites.  This was part of the war.  But it was the King's job to defend Keilah, not Davids.  However, Saul wasn't doing his job.  He was spending time and manpower to chase down David while one of his cities was getting attacked by the Philistines.  David seeks the Lord's advice and the Lord tells David top go defend Keilah.  This seems unwise by all normal means of warfare.  David was on the run from Saul and his army of men; this was war enough for 400 men.  David's men pushed back on this decision and so David sought the Lord again.  God affirms the His decision to send David saying that He would give the Philistines to them.  This seemed to end the discussion, David and his men went and saved Keilah as the Lord delivered the Philistines. 

1 Samuel 23:6-8

Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, figured out that there was only one safe place for him; that was with David.  This was an acknowledgement of the Lord in David's camp and an acknowledgement of the Lord's annointing of David as king. 

It's fascinating that Saul wouldn't go down to Keilah to save it from the Philistines but he would go down to war with David.  Imagine how this made the people of that town feel about Saul.  In a walled city, Saul was sure he could trap David there. 

1 Samuel 23:9-13

Saul is on the way and David seeks the Lord for His leading in this situation.  David was sure God didn't bring them to Keilah so they could be trapped.  God reveals to David that the people of the town wouldn't defend him but instead give them up to Saul and his army.  This wasn't out of loyalty but only fear. 

We see that David now has 600 men where he had just 400 earlier.  It seems that man of those appreciative of David joined his ranks that day.  David and his men fled at the Lord's direction.  Saul searched for him but didn't find him.

1 Samuel 23:15-18

David returns to the strongholds; the word is the masada.  This probably isn't the the Masada made famous but a natural stronghold; easily defended terrain.  Saul continues to disregard all else in pursuit of David.  On one particular day Saul sought them in the wilderness of Ziph when Jonathon came out to David.  Jonathon talked to David and gave him a great gift; he encouraged him in the Lord.   Jonathon acknowledges David will be on the throne and he would be second to him.  He also said Saul knew this also.  This may have been offered as an explanation for Saul's all out assault towards him.  David and Jonathon confirm their previous covenant as friends.

1 Samuel 23:19-23

The contrast to the faithfulness of Jonathon are the Ziphites who will betray David and deliver him up to Saul.   Read Psalm 54.  Saul says, "Blessed are you of the Lord" to the Ziphites.  Here's a wicked andn Psychotic man speaking the Lord's name and His blessing toward a wicked group of folks willing to betray an innocent man.  It shows that anyone can say the words and appear religious; but their actions betray them!

David's reputation was that he was crafty.  It's easy to be seen as crafty when you are being led by God.  To the unbeliever and the wicked, God's people don't look like humble servants but something vastly different.

1 Samuel 23:24-29

Saul was so close, right there on the other side of the hill.  To Saul and others, it appeared as though David had gotten lucky and escaped.  Saul had circled around David and his men when a messenger came to Saul and told him the Philistines were attacking.  It was by the hand of the Lord that this message came and Saul was called away. 

©2015 Doug Ford