1 Samuel 23:15-29

God is our Rock of Salvation

In my 2 years working in Restore, I have seen little children in orphanages. why? because they have been abandoned by their parents and their loved ones. Subo kaayo pamalandungon. Sa pagtan-aw sa mga bata didto orphanage, wala nay nagmahal nila. They felt abandoned and unloved. Pero luyo niana nga pait nga sitwasyon, nakita pud nako nga bisan ug gi abandon sila sa ilang ginikanan, ang Ginoo wala nag abandon nila. Gipadalhan silag mga tao nga dili ni kadugo pero niatiman kanila. Gipadala ang Restore ngadto kanila aron maka dungog sila sa Maayong Balita aron sila makabaton sa kaluwasan sa dihang motoo ug modawat sila kang Kristo. Praise God kay daghan-daghan nako ug clients gikan sa mga orphanages nga nakadawat sa grasya sa Kaluwasan.

Sa atong Kristohanon nga kinabuhi, there will be times that we feel abandoned and unloved by God and by our lovedones. Labi na kung moagi tag mga kasakit ug problema unya murag walay katubagan ang atong mga pag-ampo. Have you experienced that?

Pero tinoud ba gyud nga naay higayon nga gi abandon ta sa Ginoo?

This morning padayon natong tun-an ang kinabuhi ni David ug tan-awon nato ang gibuhat sa Ginoo sa dihang gialirongan si David sa iyang nga kaaway ug murag walag-tuo ang iyang problema.

Go with me to 1 Samuel 23:15-29. We will read and then we will pray.

Atong nasayran nga wala pa nahuman ang kasakit ug problema ni David. Pero wala na nagpasabot nga gi abandon o gipasagdan siya sa Ginoo.

Saul continued his evil desire to search and destroy David but God provided encouragement and protection to David by sending Jonathan and the Philistines to divert Saul’s attention, allowing David to escape.

The author continued to show the readers the power and sovereignty of God over the people and situations in order to save His chosen King David from the evil desire of Saul. This is a fitting reminder for the Israelites who have experienced being exiled and conquered by other nations that God does not abandon his chosen servants even when He places them in a difficult situation.

I. 15-18 - Introduction- David received encouragement from Jonathan

David must have been surprised nga natultolan siya ni Jonathan!

Jonathan acts as a true friend and he encouraged David - he assured David that Saul will not be successful in finding David and that He will be King over Israel. Jonathan seemed to believe that God is sovereign in protecting and fulfilling His plan of making David King over Israel.

A renewal of Covenant - to stay loyal to each other. David is loved and supported by the son of the person who wanted him dead. A loyal friend is a precious gift from God.

II. 19-24 Problem - The Ziphites (David’s same tribe) betrayed David by surrendering him to Saul.

v.20 - Why did they betray David? do they really have compassion on Saul? or where they afraid they will be treated like Nob?

v.21 - Did Saul really expect God to bless the people who betrays David?

v.23 - Saul is flexing his power of having thousands at his disposal to find and kill David.

The sad truth is that most people are willing to commit sin by harming others in order to preserve their lives.

A Christian should not be a person who is willing to harm others in order to advance the self.

David composed a song Psalm 54 based on this event. It is a prayer for deliverance and a declaration of faith in God, His deliverer.

Psalm 54:1–4 (NASB95) 1 Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your power. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen against me And violent men have sought my life; They have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

- Trials can be a motivation to be dependent upon God.

III. 25-27 - Climax - God’s providence saved David once again.

26 - David and his men were surrounded by Saul’s army and they were trapped! They have no way out! Imagine their fear and desperation! For sure, Saul will be able to capture David and his men! At long last! Saul will be victorious against David!

v.27 - Behold! A messenger came and brought a news to Saul at the last minute!

Notice the timing! Was it a coincidence? Was David a very lucky guy?

Truly, God is a sovereign God! He allowed the free will of the Philistines to make small raids in Israel in order to fulfill His purpose of rescuing David!

IV. 28-29 - Resolution - Saul stopped pursuing David and David escaped.

Saul experienced a change of priority. How? Why?

David moved from Horesh to Engedi (another territory of Judah)

Notice the name of the place - Rock of Escape (Sela Hammahlekoth) - why Rock of Escape?

They were hiding in the caves of the mountain in Maon. Basically made of big rocks.

Rocks are symbols of shelter, protection, and safety.

In the OT, God is depicted as the Rock of Israel, being the strength, security and deliverance for his people.

2 Samuel 22:2–3“2 He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.” (David’s prayer of deliverance)

In the NT, Jesus is called the cornerstone or the capstone. The cornerstone is the rock that provides stability of the building. Jesus is the foundation that provides stability to the lives of the believers.

Acts 4:10–12 “10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.””

What: Saul continued his evil desire to search and destroy David but God provided encouragement and protection to David by sending Jonathan and the Philistines to divert Saul’s attention, allowing David to escape.

Why: The author continued to show the readers the power and sovereignty of God over the people and situations in order to save His chosen King David from the evil desire of Saul. This is a fitting reminder for the Israelites who have experienced being exiled and conquered by other nations that God does not abandon his chosen servants even when He places them in a difficult situation.

Transition:

God is the sovereign God who does not abandon His people. God is powerful to make events happen according to His will to fulfill His purpose.

God is our Rock of Salvation

In the midst of troubles, let us continue to trust in God because:

A. God does not abandon His people.

B. God’s provision is on time.

C. God uses even the enemy to bring salvation to His people.

In the midst of troubles, let us continue to trust in God because:

A. God does not abandon His people.

The Lord allows His chosen servants to experience difficult situations but He guides, encourages, and protects.

David must have thought that he has no way out! Surprise! God made a way for David to escape!

Illustration: Look at Daniel who went inside the Lion’s Den.

Look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who went into the fiery furnace.

Look at Paul who experienced beatings, jailed, shipwrecked, jailed again. Yet he continued serving the Lord because He was guided, encouraged, and protected by the Lord until it was time for him to go home and be with the Lord so he could enjoy the very presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:9–10“9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

“Whatsoever God takes away from his children, he either supplies it with a great earthly favor, or else with strength to bear it” - Richard Sibbes

Application:

1. Avoid murmuring and complaining when God allows difficult situation in your life.

2. Receive encouragement from the godly-people around you.

To the Parents, dako kaayo ang inyong gipas-an nga responsibilidad. Sometimes you will feel helpless. Remember this, God will not abandon you.

To the students struggling in academics, God will not abandon you.

B. God’s provision is on time.

God provided Jonathan to David right when he needed encouragement.

God provided the Philistines right wen David was cornered and helpless.

When you put your faith in Christ, God commissions himself to protect, provide, and care for you.

Philippians 4:19–20“19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

God always provides for his children, though often it is not in the way we expect or hope and plan based on our timeline.

The challenge is for us to see his provision and care, even when it is different than we expect. Because God is God, his ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).

Hab. 2:3 tells us that God has a special time for everything. Even if His plan seems slow, we must be patient because it will surely happen at the right moment. This verse is part of the Bible Bible where God speaks to Habakkuk about what is coming. It reminds us to trust in Him during our waiting periods.

The message here is clear—God’s promises may take time, but they are never forgotten. In times when doubts creep in, recall this promise from Habakkuk. Believe that He controls all things and His timing makes every event beautiful in its own way.

Reflection: What do you do when God allows a period of waiting?

Application:

1. Stay faithful as you wait for God’s provision.

2. Stay focus on the goal - Christ-like character. (waiting shapes our character)

C. God uses even the enemy to bring salvation to His people.

God used the envy and greed of Saul to mold David’s dependence upon God.

God used the evil of the Philistines for David to escape from Saul.

Examples:

God used the Pharisees and the Romans to crucify Jesus, which resulted his death. But Jesus did not remain in the grave. On the 3rd day He rose again and showed himself to the disciples, and ascended into heaven and seated in the right hand of the Father. Oh what a great salvation!

Reflection: Are you facing oppositions now?

If so, don’t hate them, instead pray for them. God will make use of them to develop your character and dependence on God.

Application:

Pray for your enemies and let the Lord deal with them.

Conclusion:

We are not exempted from trials and problems. But in the midst of trials, let us not forget that God is the sovereign God who does not abandon His people. God is our faithful provider. God is a miracle worker.

Let us stop doubting God, Let us start trusting God because God is our rock of salvation!