1 Samuel 23

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I. 1 Samuel 23:1-14: David Saves Keilah

"Now we find why the prophet Gad (by divine direction, no doubt) ordered David to go into the land of Judah, ch. 22:5. It was that, since Saul neglected the public safety, he might take care of it, notwithstanding the ill treatment that was given him; for he must render good for evil, and therein be a type of him who not only ventured his life, but laid down his life, for those that were his enemies."
-Matthew Henry
God divinely ordained for David to go down to Judah to be in position to save Keilah. It seems that David would be safe in the caves, but God had other plans. Sometimes God will reorient our lives in a way that seems confusing or mysterious to us. Yet we should always make sure we remain in a mindset of being used by God wherever we are. There are purposes greater & more wise than our own at work. Being not far from Keilah in the forests, it was a quick trip to Keilah (about 8 miles journey, a half a day).

Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are pillaging the threshing floors.”

Question #1: Why did the Philistines choose to attack the threshing floors of Keilah?
Most likely, they attacked them because the threshing floors were located outside of the city. According to verse 6, the city was fortified with double gates & bars. Threshing floors, usually located outside of a city on an elevated location for the wind, were easy targets.
In 1 Samuel 23:5 David led away their livestock. Is this the Philistine’s livestock? It seems so, either for the purpose of weakening their remaining resources, or because the livestock was being used to transport the pillaged goods. Either way, this was a wise strategy. David being a great warrior & commander for many years under Saul, he must have learned tactics & strategy on the battle field.
1 Samuel 23:1 LSB
Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are pillaging the threshing floors.”
Question #2: Was David expected to go to Keilah & help them? Why?
1 Samuel 23:1–2 LSB
Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are pillaging the threshing floors.” So David asked of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” And Yahweh said to David, “Go and strike the Philistines and save Keilah.”
We are not told here how David inquired of God. We know that the high priest did not come to David until he was at Keliah, so it could be that Gad the prophet was with him at the time, or that God spoke directly to David. Seeing as David is the anointed & on the run, I don't see how Gad would stay behind.
1 Samuel 23:3 LSB
But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the battle lines of the Philistines?”
Question #3: Why are these men afraid to go?
Not all of these men are fighting, battle-hardened warriors. Many of them were a rag-tag bunch that fled to David - 1 Samuel 22:2.
One could say they are afraid David would get found by Saul in going out into the open, but I think context dictates that they were afraid of fighting the Philistines.
1 Samuel 23:4 LSB
Then David asked of Yahweh once more. And Yahweh answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”
Question #4: Why did David ask God a second time?
1. Because David had doubts, especially because of the state of his men.
2. Because of the doubts of his men, to assure them of God's protection & will.
Unlike the Israelites taking the promised land the first time, David & his men actually went & obeyed.
This also seems reminiscent of Gideon & his 300. God used him not with a large army, but with a substantially smaller one. Not only this, but those 300 were chosen because they did not drink water from the river like everyone else (out of 10,000 people!); they drank their water like dogs, lapping it up with their tongues. Gideon also seemed to have a rag-tag bunch. Judges 7:1-7.

that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

Question #5: why do you think this detail is provided for us?
Because the ephod is how David communicated with God.
1 Samuel 23:6–7 LSB
Now it happened when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. Then it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah, so Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”
Does this mean that Abiathar was sloppy in how he escaped? Was he followed, & thus they knew David was at Keilah? Maybe, maybe not.
1 Samuel 23:7 LSB
Then it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah.
This might have come about because of the people's loyalty to Saul. Even though David just saved their life, they now hand David's life over to Saul. We don’t really know though how Saul found out.
1 Samuel 23:7 LSB
Then it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah, so Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”
Saul does not stop to think of the righteous actions of David. Well, he delivered them from my enemies. “What an honorable thing; I shall go there and trap him & kill him.”
Psalm 35:12. David was probably very distraught at this turn of fortune for his good deeds & obedience to God. In like manner, Christ also came save his people, and was then rejected and betrayed by them.

God has delivered him into my hand

Saul dares to credit god with the evil opportunity that he is confronted with.
in the LXX it is translated that God has sold him into my hand.
1 Samuel 23:7 LSB
“God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”
Basically Saul is saying here that because the city is fortified, he knows that David won't be able to go anywhere. As long as he gets there in time, David will be trapped; he trapped himself.

But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him

When David makes his petition to Yahweh, he says that he clearly knows that Saul intends on coming down there. Either David had a network of spies, or he overheard from the people within the city mention it.

so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”

This is not the only time that David will consult God via the ephod.
1 Samuel 23:9–10 LSB
But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, Your slave has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to make the city a ruin on my account.
Question #6: Thoughts on the ephod?
Did David put on the ephod? Was the ephod itself used as an instrument by David to communicate to God, or did he make use of Urim & Thummin? It seems David wearing an ephod is indicative of his closeness with God. David is, after all, the anointed one.
This may not have been the High Priest's ephod, but also, Abiathar is the only one left living, so if he did take an ephod, it would make sense that it was the High Priest's one.
Later, Saul is said to have the Urim, so David did not use it. Thus, the ephod acted in a manner of an oracular device.
Although Levites were not the only ones to wear the ephod (Samuel did while mimistering in the temple), it still is interesting that David sought the will of God by having it drawn near to him.

9 But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”

10 Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, Your slave has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to make the city a ruin on my account.

11 “Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down just as Your slave has heard? O Yahweh, the God of Israel, I pray, tell Your slave.” And Yahweh said, “He will come down.”

12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And Yahweh said, “They will surrender you.”

13 Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. Now it was told to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, so he ceased going out in pursuit.

14 And David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

If the Urim & Thummim were used here, and they operated as if lots were being cast, these chopped answers from the Lord would make sense here. In 1 Samuel 23:2,4, Yahweh’s answers are much more fleshed out and personable, as if they came from a prophet (possibly Gad) whereas these answers here seem very simplistic. It does seem Saul may have had Urim, so maybe David had the Thummim. This is all speculation.

Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, Your slave has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to make the city a ruin on my account.

David knows that Saul is coming, and plans on destroying the city. Saul will do anything to capture David. With him shut in behind the gates with nowhere to go, they can set fire and entirely decimate the town. Also, David heard what Saul did to the priests of God for helping David. How much less would Saul care about a town?
David does not want harm to come to these people, even knowing from God that they would deliver him over to Saul if given the chance. 1 Samuel 23:11-12.

Then David and his men, about six hundred

The last count of David’s men was at the caves of Adullam, and he had about 400. So between going to Moab, the forests, and until he left Keilah, he gained 200, maybe more depending on how many he lost fighting the Philistines. These of course are round numbers, not exact figures.

and they went wherever they could go

David did not have a set plan. For one, he was being hunted, and was probably on the edge of his seat most times. Also, they had to be on the move; stay in one place too long or risk exposure, and soon enough Saul will hear of it. David had to place his trust & hope in God to maintain his sanity.

Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. Now it was told to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, so he ceased going out in pursuit.

Thankfully, Saul did not continue on to the city to destroy them because David was there. Saul killed the priests, and they didnt even know that Saul wanted to kill David. Surely Saul could have wiped them out, but the Lord spared them.

And David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds

David looked for caves, mountains, natural shelters, wherever he could find to hide him and his men. He needed to stay away from cities where they might be spotted and reported. This is why David’s Psalms rely on God so much as his Stronghold & Refuge. These were places of safety away from Saul. God is our safety away from the wickedness of this world and our own sin. When we train our thoughts on Him, all else disappears for a time. God does not take us out of them, but He is faithful to get us through them.
“And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” David was constantly on the lookout, but God was David’s stronghold.

II. 1 Samuel 23:15-29: Saul Pursues David

Then David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life

This seems to point to what occurs in 1 Samuel 23:19ff.

Now David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.

David was hiding near Ziph. An area that did not get much rainfall, and is not a forested area today, Horesh was most likely a stronghold rather than a forested area, as the name may imply; rather an elevated wooded area offering protection & cover.
1 Samuel 23:16 LSB
So Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh and strengthened his hand in God.
David may have sent messages to Jonathan to keep him updated where he was , and the Ziphites did not know where David was until they saw Jonathan coming or leaving Horesh. We don't know for sure how he knew, but God led him to David to strengthen him for the coming encounter with his father.
Jonathan strengthened him in God, meaning that he pointed him to the One Who guides & protects His people. Not only this, but he was probably reminded of his anointing as king. God does not forsake His promises to His people, nor does he change His plans. This would be reminiscent of Paul doing the same thing with Timothy, reminding him of the prophecy spoken over him and the gifts that God has given him to fulfill the tasks of his ministry. Timothy was gifted the gifts of ministering and preaching and teaching and proclaiming the Word, and God would not forsake Him in that endeavor. David was gifted with the kingship of Israel. God would not forsake him.
Thus, God will not forsake us in the endeavors that he has called us to. When we look at the gifts that God has given us with, he will not fail to use us according to those giftings. Like David, we may not necessarily see the fruits of it right away, or as much as we think that we ought to, but we must constantly remind ourselves that God does not forsake his people. He has not reached down and said that he will bless and increase your business startup, or that raising of your children will bear fruits of salvation immediately, or at all, or the hospitality & service you provide to others will make an immediate evangelistic impact. But we know that God calls us to be faithful in what He has placed before us, in church, our families, our communities, to serve Him & others for Christ. When we set our hope in God & not our circumstances, we will be comforted & encouraged, knowing that ultimately our endeavors that seem foolish to the world will be pleasing to God.
1 Samuel 23:17 LSB
And he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
Question #7: Without trying to read more into the situation than what the Bible tells us, what do we think are some of the things that Jonathan may have told David in order to encourage him in the Lord?
Sometimes, when giving counsel to others, we have a temptation to be very trite; saying generally positive things because we don't really know what to say. Jesus says that we will be judged for every idle word that comes out of our mouths; we want to speak truth and life into people, not words without substance.
Here, Jonathan knew exactly what to say though. It might come off as trite, thinking that just because he is his best friend, that he's helping him to think on the positive side. “Don't worry David, you won't die. You will succeed and prosper and be king over all.”
Jonathan has very good reason to believe that, and to remind David of it: David was anointed by Samuel and chosen by Yahweh himself to be king in Saul's place. Because God does not lie or change His mind, what He says will come to pass.
Maybe there is someone in your life that needs the encouragement of Jonathan. They need to be reminded of the solid promises of God regarding their salvation and perseverance. They need to be reminded that Christ will never leave them or forsake them, and the reason why we are still here in these circumstances, as evil as they may seem, is to trust Him as we strive to carry out His will.
God gives us the blessings of the fellowship of the Church as an ordinary means of grace. Through His people, we can be taught, strengthened, guided, and corrected. Maybe Jonathan had to be a little forceful with David to remind him of the faithfulness of God. The text doesn’t say that, but I know that we need that sometimes in our lives. We need someone to tell us that our pity or self-doubt does not reflect the righteous promises given to us in Christ. Of course, we still need to be sympathetic; grieve with those who grieve & mourn with those who mourn, but we do not do so as those who have no hope. The death of a parent or child or close friend in someone’s life is dearly tragic. God has given us emotional grief to help us see the damaging effects sin has on us & the world, and how it ruins friendships & families. Going through situations of betrayal & heartache, especially because of those closest to you, is heartbreaking. Leaving the only family you’ve know for the past seven years for the sake of spiritual health is also painful.
These are hard things to experience, and we should be emotionally working them out. Crying out to the Lord, seeking the comfort of family & friends, experiencing the comforting Word of God. The Lord knows whawhat we need, and sometimes He will give us a Jonathan to come beside us. A close friend that will not only grieve with us, but also give us loving counsel & remind us of the faithfulness of God. The context here of course is David’s kingship. David cannot be king if he is dead! Nonetheless, he had to flee from his wife & home & everything he knew. He gave up his position as a great warrior & commander in Saul’s army, his position of honor at Saul’s table, had to traumatically take his family out of Israel & leave them with pagans to keep them safe, and is now being hunted like a wild animal, all because he was faithful to His God & king, and whatever he put his hand to prospered. I would be upset too. Thank God for Jonathan in a time like this.

and I will be second to you

Question #8: Who does this sound like? Is this clause bringing to mind anyone in particular?
Negatively, I of course think of James and John who, in their pride asked if they could sit at the right hand of Christ in his kingdom. However, I do not believe Jonathan is saying this pridefully or arrogantly; it seems like something that was previously agreed upon, seeing how this is the third Covenant that they have made with each other. I'm more positively tend to think of the thief on the cross when reading this clause. Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Very truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we have been seated with Christ in the Heavenly places. We have been placed next to Christ, nay in Christ, in the Covenant that has been cut with his blood.

and Saul my father knows that also.”

Saul has been acting like it is his kingdom and that it will not be taken away from him. He's going to great lengths to retain his throne for himself and for the sake of Jonathan. However, he knows full well that the throne no longer belongs to him, and has been given to David. He has been rebelling in irrational madness against God.
What can be known about the kingship of Israel is plain to him, because God has shown it to him; he is without excuse.
Satan has this exact same mindset. God, the author of all things and Sovereign ruler, the one who Satan answers to and needs permission from, told him in the garden that he was already defeated. God would raise up his own son from the seed of Adam, through Abraham and David, to crush his skull.
1 Samuel 23:18 LSB
So the two of them cut a covenant before Yahweh; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.
We are not told what kind of Covenant this is, but context makes it seem like they are once again reaffirming the covenant that they have made before with each other, regarding Jonathan's safety and union with the House of David, laid out in the sight of God and founded on their deep friendship.
True love takes delight in repeating its engagements, giving and receiving fresh assurances of the firmness of the friendship.
- Matthew Henry

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

A very specific report of David’s location. This is echoed later on in 1 Samuel 26, and its relation to this verse will be discussed when we get there.
Psalm 54 was written in light of this very thing.

3 For strangers have risen against me

And ruthless men have sought my life;

They have not set God before them. Selah.

1 Samuel 23:19 LSB
Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
These strangers were the Ziphites who willingly went to Saul of their own accord to hand David over to him. They are thus described here as ruthless men, strangers who do not fear God. As noted in other Psalms of this nature of David’s, this reference may just be to the House of Saul in general. Although Saul is an Israelite, David sees him acting as one outside of the covenant; one who does not fear Yahweh.

4 Behold, God is my helper;

The Lord is among those who sustain my soul.

1 Samuel 23:16–17 LSB
So Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
God is the primary Helper of David, & the One Who sustains his soul in his despair & anguish. Jonathan is another, as well as his men most likely, but here God is the ultimate One Who comforts David & brings him hope. By God’s grace, He will deliver justice to the wicked - Psalm 54:5.

20 “So now, O king, according to all the desire of your soul to come down, come down here; and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.”

Basically, we know exactly where David is, and if it is your will, come down here so we can give him over to you. All you have to do is come down here, and we will give him to you.

21 And Saul said, “May you be blessed of Yahweh, for you have had compassion on me.

Again, Saul wrongly and blasphemously grants the blessing of Yahweh for the opportunity to kill David, and he attributes the betrayal of David by the Ziphites as a righteous thing; even a merciful thing.
Saul really loves making people feel sorry for himself. Earlier, he seemed to attempt to emotionally manipulate the people by basically crying “woe is me” to get people to rat out David (1 Samuel 22:8). It worked with Doeg, and now Saul is saying that it is a merciful & loving thing to do for Saul; a great gift, if you will, to go out of their way to give Saul this info.
Isaiah 5:20
Psalm 36:1-4

22 “Go now, make more sure, and know and see his place—where his very foot is—and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very crafty.

23 “So see and know about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Here Saul is himself being wise, knowing that David is a slippery fellow. He has eluded him thus far, and I am sure he had heard of his victories on the battlefield to know that David is crafty.
Paraphrase of Saul’s Decision
I want to know exactly where he is. I want to be sure you are sure. I don't want to come all the way down there, have to search out a general area to find him, and he ends up escaping. Also I want to know where this information comes from. Is it viable? Are they reliable sources? Is their information concrete? They might be spies sent to throw me off his trail.
I also require you to find out all his hiding spots. I want to know where I might find him if he does elude me & slip through my grasp. I don't want him to find safety anywhere.
Once you bring me all this information with absolute certainty, then I will come down there & search him out.

24 Then they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.

Saul made the right call, for before he came down there, David & his men moved again, this time a little further, moving from strongholds to staying in the wilderness of Maon. It seems they took refuge on top of a mountain (see 1 Samuel 23:25).

25 So Saul and his men went to seek him, and they told David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul heard it and pursued David in the wilderness of Maon

Knowing that he would be trapped if Saul caught them at the top of the mountain, they went down to be able to outmaneuver Saul & his men.

26 And Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, but Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to seize them.

Here we see that Saul was right on David’s heels. Saul knew he found him, & was chasing him around the mountain. This verse shows that David was hurrying to escape him, but it looks like Saul went to send men around the other side of the mountain, to be on both sides to keep him from fleeing.

27 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.”

28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.

It must have been a pretty important attack for Saul to leave on the eve of David’s capture to attend to the Philistines. At the eleventh hour, David was saved by the enemies of Saul. God ordained, David escaped. The text seems to indicate that David & his men called it the Rock of Escape. Rightly so, they ran around it until Saul was called away for another battle. Running in circles saved their lives.
Also can be translated as Rock of Division, probably a more literal rendering, with the idea that David & Saul were divided, or split apart from one another, either because the mountain was between them, or because Saul had to leave, & thus they were divided from a close meeting, most likely the latter I think.
We should glory in God’s salvation, and celebrate His provision. Making traditions or annual celebrations marking the goodness of God & the gifts he provides is a good thing. He wants His people to be joyous, & to recognize reasons to be joyful in Him. Yes, those things can become idols and detract our worship from God to His gifts or to our emotions, and we must be careful to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).
However, anything can become an idol, but we do not just sit around in isolation with our eyes closed, hoping we do not worship or value anyone or anything more than God. He has blessed us with many wonderful & beautiful things for us to sincerely enjoy. We must grab hold of them, because He has given them to us to make the heart glad. While I am sure David did not make annual family trips or pilgrimages to it, this Rock of Escape sat in His heart as a testament to the deliverance that comes from God.

29 Then David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

After such a close call, David said “I’m outta here!” He & his men took of across the wilderness to the strongholds of En-gedi.
In 2 Chronicles 20:2, it is said that a very large army from Aram was coming against the King of Judah, and they were currently in En-gedi. Thus, it seems at least some of these strongholds were very large & could house many men; surely large enough for David & his band of 600.

III. Conclusion: The Theological Destination of David

Both were anointed kings pursued by the evil rulers of this world.
Willingly enduring persecution & attempts at murder to fulfill their God-ordained tasks. David, as we will see, could have killed Saul twice & taken over the kingdom. Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to His side - Matthew 26:53.
David gathered to himself outcasts, as did Jesus.
Both have the motif of Humiliation/Exaltation.
In Christ, we expect suffering & trials. Not that we look for it, but that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution - 2 Timothy 3:12. This is our expectation, & our hope is that we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead - 1 Peter 1:3.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I recount Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, as well as David and Samuel and the prophets,

33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, performed righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

36 and others experienced mockings and floggings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated

38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in desolate places and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

39 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

40 because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

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