1 Samuel 23

CHAPTER 23

David Saves Keilah (23:1–6)

1–6 Keilah was a town in Judah, David’s tribe, and when it came under attack by Philistines David was prompted to go to its defense. But first he inquired of the LORD⁹⁰ whether he should go or not (verse 2). The Lord said, “Go.” When David’s men expressed fear, David again asked God, and God assured David that He would give the Philistines into his hand (verse 4). With that divine assurance, David’s men agreed to fight, and God gave them a great victory and enabled them to save the people of Keilah from the Philistines.

Saul Pursues David (23:7–29)

7–13 The people of Keilah were no doubt grateful to David, but not grateful enough to protect him from Saul. They surely had heard what Saul did to the priests of Nob for assisting David! (1 Samuel 22:17–19). So when David heard that Saul was planning to trap him inside the walls of Keilah and then destroy the town, he again had Abiathar ask the Lord whether this was indeed true and, if true, whether the people of Keilah would turn him over to Saul in order to save their town. The answer to both questions was “Yes.” Then David knew that he and his growing band of men (now numbering six hundred) had to leave Keilah immediately (verse 13).

14 David and his men then went into the Desert of Ziph and stayed in desert strongholds—that is, inaccessible areas that provided natural protection.

As we read about Saul’s pursuit of David, we need to remember that this isn’t simply the story of two men; it’s also a story about God. Indeed, this can be said of the entire Bible: it is, first of all, the story of God. In the case of David and Saul, God was actively protecting David. As long as David kept seeking God’s will, he would be safe. But beyond that, God had a plan for David: he was to be the savior of Israel, and the ancestor of the Savior of the world. Satan, on the other hand, wanted to use Saul to destroy David and thus thwart God’s plan.

So God did not give David into [Saul’s] hands. David continued to rely on God’s guidance. Saul, for his part, did not seek God’s guidance; he relied instead on his own judgment and on the reports of men. And, of course, he was frustrated at every turn.

15–18 While David and his men were living in the desert, Saul kept searching for David in order to kill him. Meanwhile Jonathan, sensing that David might be getting discouraged, went and found him and helped him find strength in God (verse 16). Jonathan said to David, “You will be king”; he also assured David that he himself would take second place.

Only a few Christians are called to be leaders, but all Christians are called to support and encourage one another. Jonathan never got to be a great leader, but he was a great man: his greatness lay in his humility, his loyalty, and his love. In fact, Jonathan never even became “second” to David; he was killed in battle before David took the throne (1 Samuel 31:1–2).

As the two friends parted for the last time, they renewed the covenant they had made earlier (1 Samuel 18:3; 20:14–17). Then Jonathan went home and continued in his father’s service (verse 18), while David remained in the Desert of Ziph.

19–23 The native inhabitants of the desert, the Ziphites, betrayed David’s location to Saul; they obviously feared Saul more than they feared David. They promised to assist Saul in his pursuit of David and his men.

This particular period in David’s life is referred to in the title of Psalm 54; in the Psalm, David pleads for deliverance from ruthless men, and then he affirms that God is his helper and sustainer. In retrospect, we can understand God’s purpose in leading David through these difficult trials: God was preparing David for leadership; He was teaching David to put his trust in God, not in men.

God intends that all of His children experience trials and testings. Our testings won’t be the same as David’s, but they will be exactly what we need to prepare us for the work God has given us to do. God knows each of our weak points that need to be strengthened; He trains and disciplines us for our good (see Hebrews 12:7–11; James 1:2–4).

For further discussion on the subject of testing and discipline, see Exodus 15:25–27 and comment; Word List: Discipline.

24–29 With the Ziphites’ help, Saul began to close in on David. David and his men were on one side of the rock, a small rocky mountain, and Saul was in hot pursuit. It seemed that this time David would be captured. But no, God had another plan: at that very moment word came to Saul that some Philistines were attacking his territory. And so he stopped chasing David and went and fought the Philistines instead. God has many ways to deliver His children, and He will act on our behalf in the right way and at the right time; we need only to put our trust in Him (see Exodus 14:10–14).