1 Samuel 23:1-29 Psalm 54
Context: Saul accused all his servants, the people of Benjamin, and his family of conspiring against him in favor of David. In an insane rage, Saul ordered the execution of Ahimelech, the priest, along with his father’s entire house, which included 85 priests of the LORD, for their imagined role in conspiring against him. Also included in the massacre were all their families and animals. Only one priest escaped, Abiathar. He fled to David for protection and joined him in the wilderness. David now has a Priest with the Ephod in his company.
Who: The LORD, David and his men, Saul and his men, Jonathan, Abiathar, the Philistines, the men of Keilah, the Ziphites, the messenger
What: David is portrayed as a man of prayer even in the midst of extreme danger, he inquires of the LORD before acting. He looks to YHWH to guide him when making life and death decisions. He trusts that the Hand of YHWH is upon him, and will shepherd and keep him. We see David called to do the work of the king when he is told by YHWH to go and save Keilah.
Where: Judah, Keilah, Gibeah, the strongholds, the wilderness: the hill country of Ziph, Horesh, the Hill of Hachilah, (south of Jeshimon), the wilderness of Maon (in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon), The Rock, The Rock of Escape, the strongholds of Engedi.
Important or Repeated Words: Hand (represents power) x8, Save x2, David inquired of the LORD x3 (1x implied), ephod x2, surrender x4, the text is loaded with action words: go x7, went x10, come/come down/came x10, etc.
Themes/Threads: The covenant between Jonathan and David is restated, YHWH’s mighty Hand rests on His anointed, David. Saul’s hand is continually against David, but Saul’s hand cannot succeed against David; and David’s hand cannot fail against the enemies of Israel, nor to become King
Divisions: or “Scenes”: Whose Hand Will Prevail? Scene 1: David’s Hand Saves Keilah from the Philistines 23:1-6 Scene 2: David Leaves Keilah to Avoid being Surrendered in to Saul’s Hand 23:6-14 Scene 3: Jonathan Strengthens David’s Hand in the LORD 23:15-18 Scene 4: David is Saved by the Sovereign Hand of YHWH 23:19-29 (using the Philistines as His instrument)
Scene 1: 1 Samuel 23:1-6: David’s Hand Saves Keilah from the Philistines V1-5 After receiving news that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and robbing the threshing floors, we see David take his first proactive action since his exile began. In this scene we will see David as a man of prayer and as a deliverer. The word “save/saved” is from the root word in Hebrew “yashah” from which we get “Joshua” or “YHWH saves”. This speaks of David in his new role as savior or deliverer for Israel. The text foreshadows the Messianic King to come, Jesus, who will be the ultimate Deliverer and Savior.
The Judean village of Keilah is about 3 miles south of Adullam. The Philistines have come up after the grain harvest is completed to plunder the harvested crop from the threshing floors. Eugene Peterson quips, “It is an easy way to farm. Let the people of Keilah do the hard work of sowing, cultivating, reaping and threshing, and then, when all the work is done, arrive in time to plunder the crop.”
David’s thoughts shift from his flight to the need of the people of Keilah. He inquired of the LORD and the LORD said to “go” and “save.” The last time we heard the words “the LORD said,” was that day in Bethlehem when “the LORD said [to Samuel], “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” Since the departure of Samuel, Saul had been unable to receive guidance from God, though he had tried. When he had asked almost the same question David asked here: “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel,” he received no answer (1 Samuel 14:37).
David’s men think they have enough trouble and that going to Keilah is ill advised, David inquires of the LORD a second time. This time YHWH’s answer includes a promise, “I will give the Philistines into your hand.”
David listened to the counsel of his men, but he does not follow it. He chose to listen to God’s counsel instead and gained the victory. David and his men go and save Keilah from the Philistines, striking a great blow to them and returning with their livestock.
The question that begs to be asked is “where is King Saul, why isn’t he defending the people of Keilah against the raiding Philistines?” After all, that is the king’s job. The answer, according to Bruce Waltke, is that he is likely overseeing the decimation of Nob! In other words, while Saul is using his leadership and sword to obliterate an entire town and family line, David uses his leadership and sword to save an entire town – what a contrast!
V6 The Narrator makes sure we know that David is inquiring of the LORD using the Ephod, brought by the hand of Abiathar the priest. The focus is not the Ephod but rather that David is a man of prayer and the LORD speaks to him. “Before taking action, even in the face of extreme danger, he stops to inquire of the LORD. David understands that his proper posture before YHWH is one of need and that YHWH is his source of life and hope.” – Walter Brueggemann.
Application: We do not need an Ephod or a priest or a prophet to receive an answer from God. Because Jesus is our great high priest and intercessor we are able to pray directly; we read in Hebrews 4:16: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (NIV).
> How is the way you make important decisions like or unlike David’s approach? > Where do you go to find trustworthy wisdom and counsel? > What does it mean to you to have the gift of access to The Throne of Grace?
Scene 2: 1 Sam 23:6-13: David Leaves Keilah to Avoid being surrendered into Saul’s Hand V7-8 Saul, learning of David’s location in Keilah, summons his people to war. Believing “God has delivered David into his hand” because Keilah has gates and bars, making it difficult to escape from. J.P. Fokkleman notes, “Morally it is absurd that he [Saul] is going to wage war against a commander [David] who has just liberated a town of Israel from the Philistine power!” It is also absurd that Saul would think that YHWH would deliver David into his hand after he has just wiped out 85 priests of the LORD!
V9-13 David is in possession of the Ephod, giving him direct access to the counsel of the LORD. He does not flee or prepare for war but he brings this information before YHWH. “David’s prayer is the center of this scene, expressing his ultimate dependence on God and confidence in his position as the servant of God who will not act on his own authority. How appropriate this is to all the LORD’s servants, especially in the life of Jesus, who would do nothing on His own initiative.” – Brian Morgan
By inquiring of the LORD, David learns that the men of Keilah, the same men that he has just saved from the Philistines, intend to hand him over to Saul. Perhaps by now they have heard about what happened at Nob and are fearful the same will happen to them. David and his 600 men departed. Brian Morgan observes, “and they went wherever they could go, with no plan, no map, taking one day at a time in the wilderness. And yet, what appears on the surface to be aimless and discouraging to us in our longing for a permanent resting place, is God’s way to establish David’s reputation among the masses. Such was the life of our Lord, who did not seek refuge against his enemies in walled fortresses, but ministered among the masses and the poor wherever He could. Would we do well to learn something from this today (Acts 8:1)? Help us O Lord to be willing to live in a wilderness with no map in order to make disciples for your kingdom.”
V14 Here we read “And Saul sought him everyday, but God did not give him into his hand.” (in verse 7 Saul said, “God has given him into my hand”). Walter Brueggemann states, “The Narrator explains the meaning of this cat and mouse game between David and Saul. David doesn’t escape because he is faster or smarter than Saul, he escapes because the hand of YHWH intervened: God did not give David into the hand of Saul… David’s future is to be understood [in these terms], YHWH has chosen and YHWH has rejected. The various episodes in the conflict between David and Saul play out this overriding reality of YHWH which neither Saul nor David can change.”
Scene 3: 1Samuel 23: 15-18: Jonathan Strengthens David’s Hand in the LORD V15 -16 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life …Jonathan rose…went to David… and strengthened his hand in God. This is the last meeting between Jonathan and David. Jonathan’s dangerous visit gives much needed encouragement to David, strengthening his grip on God. The covenant friendship between these two has God at its center, revealing a partnership built on accomplishing YHWH’s will rather than their own.
Jonathan’s words to David begin with: “Do not fear.” We often read these words in our Bibles, which are always spoken in terrifying circumstances, when fear is the natural and reasonable response. John Woodhouse makes the following points, “The words [Do not fear], as we hear them in the Bible, are never an empty attempt at comfort but an expression of a reality that is more powerful than the terrifying circumstances. How could it be possible for David, seeing that Saul had come out to seek his life, to not fear? The hand of Saul was the hand that held and hurled the spear. He had done that to both of these men (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10; 20:33). How could the hands of both David and Jonathan do anything but tremble with fear, seeing Saul’s hand and his intentions? Jonathan knew the answer: by hearing and believing the promise of God. “You shall be king over Israel.” Jonathan strengthened David’s hand in God by the promise of God. What David heard from Jonathan overcame what David saw”.
Jonathan’s powerful words of encouragement remind David of his certain future, which will include the demise of his father, Saul’s, reign. Jonathan’s words bring to mind the proverb, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” - Proverbs 25:11, surely Jonathan’s words were as precious as gold to David that day.
Though they had previously made a covenant of “hesed”, they renew it again here at Horesh. A promise like this among true friends cannot be reiterated too often during such trying times. David is strengthened, Jonathan departs, but the two friends will never meet again.
Application:
> What promises or words of God do you look to when you are fearful or when your “hand needs strengthening?”
> Consider journaling or making a list of God’s Word and/or promises that minister to your current need or situation. Personalize these words by inserting your name when praying or reading them.
> Who is in your life that needs encouragement or strengthening in the Lord? How will you reach out to strengthen them this week?
Scene 4: 1Samuel 23:19-29: David is saved by the Sovereign Hand of YHWH: Saul’s hunt for David accelerates when the Ziphites offer to help him find and eliminate David. (Saul asks the LORD to bless the Ziphites for having compassion “chamal” on him. The Hebrew word “chamal” was used in 1Sam15:3, when YHWH told Saul in no uncertain terms not to take pity on the Amalekites, but Saul took pity on them anyway. Now Saul is looking for someone to take pity on him since the LORD has rejected him). Saul’s obsessed determination to destroy David is shown in his words in v23, “I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”
In V24-29 there is no more speech, only action and report. I like the way Walter Brueggemann captures the tension, “The Narrator take us hill by hill, cliff by cliff, crag by crag, rock by rock over the terrain to the awaited moment of resolution. David, the hunted one, is cornered at last. Saul and his men are “closing in” ready to “capture” (v26); all seems lost for David. One has the impression that if the narrative continues one more verse (or one more rock), Saul will have him. Saul will not show compassion, Saul will not spare David.” The scene has us on the edge of our seats, what will happen next? Whose hand will prevail?
The thrilling tension is broken by the report from a messenger: the Philistines are raiding the land! This is likely the only thing that would pull Saul away from his pursuit of David, the pesky Philistines! Did YHWH use the Philistines to draw Saul away from capturing David? The Narrator does not tell us one way or the other, what do you think?
(Interestingly, in the beginning of our text, David’s flight from Saul was interrupted by the Philistine raid against Keilah; and here we have Saul’s pursuit of David interrupted by another Philistine raid).
Pinned down, in deep danger and hiding behind “the Rock of Escape” (also translated as Smooth or Slippery Rock, Rock of Separation or Division), David is now given a chance to escape. “The Ziphites may have taken pity on Saul by leading him to David, but YHWH took pity on David and led Saul to a slippery rock or a rock of separation.” – Brian Morgan. We are told he left the wilderness of Maon and went up and lived in the strongholds of Engedi. For now, we can breath a sigh of relief, as the weary fugitive David is safe at the oasis of Engedi.
Application:
> Jesus is the true “Rock of Escape”, if you are not standing on the solid footing of Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are standing on sinking sand. Listen to the words of Jesus himself: “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6). “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”’ (John 11:25-26).
Have you made Jesus your “Rock of Escape”? Won’t you do so today? Speak with your group leader if you need help with this.
> How are you comforted knowing your life and times are in God’s hands? Are you able to say with David “But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in Your hand.” (Psalm 31:14-15a NASB).
> What new insights have you gained from studying this week’s passage?
WRAP UP: At the center of this chapter there is a sentence that sums it all up: “And Saul sought [David] every day, but God did not give him into his hand” (v. 14b). David’s future is firmly in YHWH’s powerful hand.
Sources (other than the Bible and my own tiny brain) used in compiling notes: Holman’s Shepherd’s Notes 1&2 Samuel; Interpretation Commentary for Teaching and Preaching 1&2 Samuel, Walter Brueggemann; Verse by Verse Commentary 1 Samuel, David Guzik; 1 Samuel Preaching Outlines, Brian Morgan; 1&2 Samuel Commentary, Eugene Peterson; An Old Testament Theology, Bruce Waltke with Charles Yu; 1 Samuel: Looking for a Leader (Preaching the Word), John Woodhouse; Psalms (Understanding the Bible Commentary Series), Craig C .Broyles, Moody Bible Institute’s devotional “Along the Way”.