Our God Provides
Notes
Transcript
There are a host of contrasts that are quite interesting in chapter 23, especially coming on the heels of chps.21-22. For instance:
In chapter 22 (vs.16-19), Saul is the destroyer of Israel at Nob, but in 23, David again delivers Israel at Keilah (23:1-5).
Saul is found complaining about his lack of intel in 22:7-8, but God uses Abiathar to share with David everything he needs to know in 23:6-13).
Saul’s company in 22 is Doeg the Edomite destroyer (v.9-10; 18-19) who covers Saul’s hands with blood, but David’s companion is Jonathan who strengthens David’s hand in God (23:16-18).
Finally, David’s enemies, the Philistines in 21:10-15 will become his saviors in 23:25-28.
Yet, the fascinating comparisons we see do little to encourage the heart of David, still one step ahead of death, an “outlaw” on the run from Saul. However, as we learn from David’s pen and journal in Psalm 54, God sustains and supports David through it all. So, how do we see God’s provision in chapter 23?
David has Divine Access
David has Divine Access
Well, the Philistines are at it again. This time, they’re “robbing the threshing floors” at Keilah (v.1), and David hears about it. David is kind of a wandering Robin Hood — we’re not exactly sure where he is at the moment. The last specific place we saw him was wandering around the forests of Hereth (22:5). Word reaches him about the trouble being caused by the Philistines, and it’s a double-edged sword for the people of Keilah — they do the work, the Philistines reap the rewards, but it also left the people without food.
When he hears about it, David asks YHWH if he should “go and attack these Philistines?” God gives him the assurance of success (v.2). I do find it interesting that David, already having fought against the Philistines, already having been used by God to deliver his countrymen, still asks God about this current situation. It does make me wonder: how often do we seek from God, and how often do we assume of God?
David gets assurance, but his men are not so sure. At least they’re honest: “we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah…?” (v.3). Honestly, it’s not an unfounded fear. They were already on the run from Saul. Was it really wise to add a battle against the Philistines to the mix. So, David again asks of the Lord, and again the answer is the same: “I will give the Philistines into your hand.” (v.4).
Off to battle again (v.5), and God gives David and his men a decisive victory. They bring “away their livestock” and strike the Philistines “with a great blow.” The end of verse 5 sums it up:
So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
Verse 6 provides a bit of FYI — David was able to inquire of God in such a specific way because Abiathar, when he fled the massacre at Nob, took the ephod with him. The ephod was a part of the priestly garment and contained the Urim and the Thummim, essential items for the priest to use in order to determine the will of God. They were put in place all the way back in Exodus 28:30. Because of this, David was able to petition God. However, this line serves as more than an informational piece — it actual creates a hinge for the passage. Before this hinge piece, Keilah is saved, and after this hinge piece, David and his men are saved. Before the hinge, YHWH guides to Keilah, and afterwords tells him to get out of Dodge. The ephod guides David in his battle successes, and gives success in his escapes. He even gets crystal clear answers to some specific questions in verses 10-12. Based on the guidance he receives, verse 13 tells us his clear choice: depart from Keilah and go wherever you can.
In this passage, David’s advantage is being able to clearly hear from YHWH, something Saul blatantly lacks. Further, part of the reason David enjoys the blessings of a priestly intercessor is because Saul murdered all the other priests at Nob, driving this lone priest to David. David is given precisely what he needs. So, does this mean we can expect the miraculous provision of a priest with an ephod whenever we need to understand God’s direction? No, it doesn’t. Just being obvious here. And, why should I expect that? My role in salvation history is not the same as David’s. But, there are still encouragements we can draw.
First, we still have access to God, and there is still a high priest who intercedes on our behalf.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God…
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Second, we are no longer in need of the ephod, the Urim and the Thummim, because we the Holy Spirit dwells in those who follow Christ. He fills us and has a controlling stake in our lives (Ephesians 5:18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”), and He guides us into all truth (John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”).
And finally, we have a closed canon that speaks truth to us:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
While we might not have the priest with the ephod, God still speaks clearly to His people.
David has Divine Encouragement
David has Divine Encouragement
The next several verses contain a general statement and then a specific incident in how things played out. Still carrying out his pre-AD Robin Hood role, David is safe “in the strongholds in the wilderness.” The last part of verse 14 tells us why he’s safe: God did not give him into (Saul’s) hand.”
Saul never could find David in the wilderness. But, you know who could? Our boy, Jonathan! (v.16). Jonathan gets there and, the ESV says he “strengthened (David’s) hand in God.” It’s an odd saying, but it basically means that he helped him find strength in God. He continued by stating:
“Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel…”
Now this encouragement doesn’t come from Jon’s own thoughts. No, he is reaffirming God’s promise to David. This promise was most clearly declared when David was anointed, but we all have a tendency toward amnesia. We forget…plain and simple. Now, Jonathan’s presence was no doubt a comfort to David, but his greater ministry to David was to remind him of what God had said. Sure, the presence of others is important, but not paramount. This isn’t meant to downplay the comfort we draw from having a shoulder to cry on or an ear to vent to, but to remind us that the unshakable source of hope and comfort comes from the promises we find in Scripture and from the steadfast love of the One giving them. We know that God is unchanging, but listen to the testimony about His word as well:
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
So Davis says,
1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart Divine Encouragement (23:14–18)
in an age that wallows in “caring” and “sensitivity” on every hand believers need to know that solid encouragement comes not from emotional closeness but from God’s speech.
But what’s even more instructive about this passage of Scripture and Jonathan’s words to David is how the passage is actually structured. You see, just before this, it was revealed that the men of Keilah would betray David into Saul’s hands (v.11). And, just after this, the Ziphites will go to Saul and say, “Hey, David’s over here by the way.” (v.19). Honestly, David can’t turn to the ones he’s just delivered, and he can’t count on his own people (Ziph was in the wilderness of Judah, the territory of David’s own tribe.) It seems, then, that YHWH’s encouragement comes at just the right time, and He is upholding His servant in the midst of difficulty.
What we don’t know, as the passage closes on verse 18, is that this is the last time Jonathan and David see each other. It’s a heaviness that we don’t feel until Jonathan passes by his father’s side. But, it does serve as a subtle reminder — as great as Jonathan is and as great as His ministry to David is, Jonathan’s presence is not what David ultimately needs. He will find that in God alone. Friends, though we desperately NEED fellowship and deep relationships in this life, we cannot ask them to be our functional saviors. We MUST learn to turn to God. When we do, we find a wonderful promise in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,”
David has Divine Providence
David has Divine Providence
For reasons we don’t really know, The Ziphites go to Saul and report that David is hiding among them (v.19). Saul is overjoyed by all of this — he blesses the Ziphites for showing him kindness (v.21) and says that if the Z’s return and plot out David’s hideouts, he’ll come and search David out (v.23). So, back to Ziph the men head (v.24a), but David and his men have moved a little more than 4 miles further, down to the wilderness of Maon, south of Jeshimon (v.24b). Saul and his men continue their pursuit, and David continues to run, still managing to stay one step ahead of death (20:3).
Ultimately, they end up on two sides of the same mountain, David in a mad dash to get away from Saul and Saul and his men dangerously close to closing in on David and capturing him and his crew (v.26). (Play up the scene a little). All of a sudden, a messenger comes to Saul reporting that the Philistines have started a raid against the land (v.27). Just like that, Saul stops his pursuit, leading to the place being called “Rock of Escape” (v.28) as David finally leaves there to live in the “strongholds of Engedi” (v.29).
We could read this with natural eyes, eyes that refuse to see beyond the actual events. If so, we walk away saying, “Wow! David got lucky. Talk about coincidences!” That would be one way to interpret these fast and furious events.
Or, we could read this with eyes of faith, marveling yet again at God’s miraculous deliverance of His servant David. YHWH yet again proves providential, with impeccable timing, to rescue David, understanding that this is God’s world, operating according to God’s plan, all for the sake of God’s glory.
Happenstance or providence? The text doesn’t necessarily say. That choice seems left to us. But, we have an entire canon to instruct us what to think, and at the end of the day, what we see plainly in Scripture is that God divinely orchestrates human history to bring about a glorious and God-honoring end. God still works in mysterious ways…ways that leave us mystified and baffled, humbled and surrendered, confident and trusting. Do we not all have stories similar to David’s, where divine providence, a seemingly small instance in the moment, proved God’s hand at work in ways we never would have guessed?
Back in 2011, Long Avenue Baptist Church was looking for a student pastor at the same time that Kingsley Lake Baptist Church was looking for a worship pastor. A soon-to-be graduating Southeastern student felt God’s purpose for him and his family in his current church was coming to a close, and both churches expressed an interest. There was a strong draw for both of the churches, so the Lord was sought, asking Him to open and close the right doors and windows, to make His will obvious. Discussion with LABC took off and discussions with Kingsley Lake dried up, and on June 5th, this church called me to be their student pastor. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Kingsley Lake was quite busy gearing up for a couple of different ministry opportunities, and they hadn’t had a chance to put together a search committee. When they finally did vote on a search committee — June 5th of 2011 — LABC had already called to confirm me. Small providences that accomplish God’s will, oftentimes when we may be completely unaware.
Conclusion
David’s life in 1 Samuel 23 is not marked by comfort, stability, or visible success — it is marked by constant danger, uncertainty, and human betrayal. Yet through every turn, David possesses something Saul never does: divine advantage. He has access to God, encouragement from God, and providence directed by God. And what was true for David in shadow is true for us in fullness through Christ.
Like David, we have divine access — not through an ephod, but through a Great High Priest who has opened the way to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:14–16). We don’t seek God’s will from stones in a garment. The Spirit dwells within us. The Word speaks clearly before us. The Father welcomes us freely.
Like David, we receive divine encouragement — not merely through the presence of earthly friends, but through the unshakable promises of God. People may strengthen us in our walk for a moment, but it is God’s unfailing Word that strengthens our souls forever (Isa. 40:8). Even when others fail us, God speaks at just the right time, in just the right way, to sustain our faith.
And like David, we live under divine providence — a God who does not always part seas or drop fire from heaven, but who orders the details of our lives with exact precision. What looks like coincidence is often the quiet choreography of a sovereign God working all things for His glory and our good. The Rock of Escape is not a place — it is a Person.
So the question before us is not whether God is still speaking, still encouraging, still working — the question is whether we are living like people who actually believe that. David’s story invites us to trust that God’s presence is greater than our circumstances, God’s promises are stronger than our fears, and God’s providence is nearer than we imagine.
You may not be hunted by Saul, hiding in caves, or running for your life — but you are in a world where fear presses, needs rise, and enemies threaten. And when life tightens, your greatest advantage is not strategy, resources, or strength.
Your greatest advantage…is God.
So draw near. Listen well, and trust deeply. The same God who led David in the wilderness leads His people still.
