2024-09-22 1 Samuel 23 (4)

09-22-2024 1 Samuel 23

INTRO to Chapter 23

We really see this chapter broken down into 2 parts with four main ideas: Guidance, Treachery, Love and Providence. Almost sounds like a movie?

Guidance. A gifted leader like David might have been tempted to depend on his experience; instead, he turned to the Lord for the guidance he needed. Even the counsel of his men did not sway him once he knew the mind of the Lord.

Treachery. David rescued the citizens of Keilah, yet they planned to turn him and his men over to Saul! Do not expect everybody you help to appreciate what you have done. Do you appreciate what others have done for you?

Love. Although his father was out to kill David, Jonathan was brave enough to visit David and encourage him. That is what friendship is all about (Prov. 17:17). How tragic that Jonathan’s hopes for the future were destroyed by his father’s sins, but at least Jonathan was willing to be second man.

Providence. Ziph belonged to Judah (Josh. 15:24), so the citizens should have been loyal to David. They were obviously trying to curry favor with Saul, and they did not believe that David was their future king. God used an invasion of the Philistines to rescue David when it looked as if Saul’s forces would win. No matter what men may do, God works out His purposes, and His providence does not fail.

Wiersbe, Warren W.. With the Word: The Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook (p. 389). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

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16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 23:1–18

a desolate hilly and wooded area between Hebron and the Dead Sea.

17 And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.”

The MacArthur Bible Commentary 2. Saul’s Life Spared Twice by David (23:1–26:25)

Jonathan encouraged David by reminding him of the Lord’s promise to him and concern for him, by emphatically assuring him that the Lord would make him the next king over Israel, as Saul well knew

18 So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.

This was not a new covenant, again it was a renewing or solidifying the original covenant.

1st 1 Samuel 18:1-4

1 Samuel 18:1–4 NKJV

1 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.

2nd 1 Samuel 20:16-17

1 Samuel 20:16–17 NKJV

16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” 17 Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.

3rd was here in vs. 18

This was their last time together before Jonathan was killed on the battlefield.

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The Ziphites:

The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia Ziphites

Citizens of the town of Ziph 3, SE of Hebron. They were a family or clan from the tribe of Judah, descendants of the house of Jehaleleel (1 Chr 4:16). They also appear in the KJV as Zimphims in the superscription to Ps 54. They informed Saul of David’s hiding place on two different occasions (1 Sam 23:19–24; 26:1).

19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.”

21 And Saul said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, for you have compassion on me.

Saul was a manipulator, at this point he would do anything to get folks to help him kill David.

I think we all have heard of good men who had turned away from God in anger after experiencing a great loss. Their grief morphing into bitterness, causing them to lash out not only at those around him but also at God. This men’s story are a cautionary tale of how unresolved anger can poison one's heart and lead to destructive actions, emphasizing the importance of seeking healing and reconciliation with God before it's too late. Which in Saul's case, he didn’t.

22 Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty.

Again Saul lies about David, He was gas-lighting them, saying David was what he, King Saul in-fact was, Crafty.

23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah.”

24 So they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

SHOW MAP of Maon

25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued David in the Wilderness of Maon.

26 Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them.

The Mountain in Maon was about 500-600’ taller then the surrounding landscape, making it about the height of Whitcher or Pine Mt. here just south, behind, the church.

Saul approached the Mountain and David and his 600 men went to the other side of the mountain.

Then Saul sent two groups of men, one around each side of the mountain to ambush David and his men from the front and the back.

27 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!”

28 Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape.

Saul and his men got called away.

David recognized God was saving him again, as he has many times already and will continue to do so.

Thus they named the place the Rock of Escape.

Be Successful 2. David Delivers Himself and His Men from Saul. (1 Sam. 23:7–29)

To commemorate this great escape, the Jews called the place “Sela Hammahlekoth,” which means “the rock of parting.” The Hebrew carries the idea of “a smooth rock” and therefore “a slippery rock,” in other words, “the rock of slipping away.”

29 Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.

The Moody Bible Commentary b. The Unfaithful People of Keilah (23:6–14)

From the time Saul looked at David with suspicion until the day of Saul’s death, God’s protection of David is one of the major themes of 1 Samuel.

Be Successful 2. David Delivers Himself and His Men from Saul. (1 Sam. 23:7–29)

David quickly moved from Maon to Engedi, next to the Dead Sea, a place of safety with an ample water supply.

Be Successful 2. David Delivers Himself and His Men from Saul. (1 Sam. 23:7–29)

David wrote Psalm 54 on this occasion and in it prayed for salvation and vindication from the Lord. David knew that the flatterers in Saul’s official circle, people like Doeg, were telling lies about him and making it look as though David wanted to kill the king. These fawning toadies were hoping to be rewarded by Saul, but they only went down in defeat because they gave allegiance to the wrong king. Leaders who enjoy flattery and praise, and who encourage and reward associates who seek only to gratify their leader’s ego, can never build other leaders or accomplish the will of God to the glory of God. David developed officers who were “mighty men” (1 Chron. 21; 2 Sam. 24), but Saul attracted officers who were moral weaklings. “Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:20

Toadies - A person who behaves compliantly towards others.

David Wrote Psalm 54 on this occasion

Psalm 54 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. With Contemplation of David When the Ziphites Went and Said to Saul, “Is David Not Hiding with Us?” 1 Save me, O God, by Your name, And vindicate me by Your strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, And oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah 4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. 5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. 7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.