2024-10-13 1 Samuel 23

10-13-2024 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?

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Start on Vs. 22 possibly, but use it as a review if already have done it. If have done it already, then maybe start on vs 25

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.