Go After It......

1 Samuel 23:1–13 MEV

Then they told David, “Listen, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are looting the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and rescue Keilah.” The men of David said to him, “We are afraid here in Judah. How much more then, if we go down to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David again inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah because I am giving the Philistines into your hand.” Then David and his men went to Keilah. He fought with the Philistines and carried off their livestock, and he struck them with a great slaughter. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah. When Abiathar the son of Ahimelek fled to David at Keilah, he came down with the ephod in his hand. It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand. For he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars.” Then Saul summoned all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David found out that Saul was planning evil against him. So he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod near.” And David said, “O Lord, God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on account of me. Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then said David, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will deliver you.” So David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and left Keilah. And they went wherever they could go. Now it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah. So he halted the expedition.

1 Samuel 30:8–19 DARBY

And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he said to him, Pursue; for thou shalt assuredly overtake them and shalt certainly recover. So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and they came to the torrent Besor; and those that were left stayed behind. And David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to go over the torrent Besor. And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he ate; and they gave him water to drink, and gave him a piece of fig-cake and two raisin-cakes, and he ate, and his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, for three days and three nights. And David said to him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days ago I fell sick. We made a raid against the south of the Cherethites, and against what belongs to Judah, and against the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire. And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this troop? And he said, Swear to me by God, that thou wilt neither put me to death nor deliver me up into the hand of my master, and I will bring thee down to this troop. And he brought him down, and behold, they were spread over the whole land, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. And David smote them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day; and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, who rode upon camels, and fled. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken: and David recovered his two wives. And there was nothing missed by them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil nor anything that they had taken: David brought all back.

1 Samuel 23 DARBY

And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors. And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. 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 armies of the Philistines? And David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will give the Philistines into thy hand. And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought against the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. And it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. Then Saul said, God has cast him off into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a city that has gates and bars. And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. And when David knew that Saul devised mischief against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod. Then said David, Jehovah, God of Israel, thy servant hath heard for certain that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? Jehovah, God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down. And David said, Will the citizens of Keilah deliver up me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver thee up. Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, and he forbore to go forth. And David abode in the wilderness in strongholds, and abode in the mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. And David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life; and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father will not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next to thee; and that also Saul my father knows. And they two made a covenant before Jehovah; and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. And the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Does not David hide himself with us in strongholds in the wood, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the waste? And now, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and it will be for us to deliver him up into the king’s hand. And Saul said, Blessed be ye of Jehovah; for ye have compassion upon me. Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his track is, who has seen him there; for it is told me that he deals very subtilly. And see, and ascertain all the lurking-places where he hides himself, and come ye again to me with sure information, that I may go with you; and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout the thousands of Judah. And 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 the waste. And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David; and he came down from the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul heard that, and he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away from Saul; and Saul and his men sought to surround David and his men to take them. But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee and come; for the Philistines have made a raid against the land. And Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. And David went up from thence, and abode in the strongholds of Engedi.

1 Sam 23

Pick Your Opponent

Floyd Mayweather made 100 Million dollars last week and blessed McGregor with 30 million.

Floyd who hasn’t fought in close to 2 years and is 40 yrs old was very much the underdog in this fight against this 29 yr old MMA Champion. But 10 rounds later Floyd was 50-0 @40 yrs old. Had he lost they would have said a 40yr old boxer had no bussiness in the ring with a 29 yr old strong MMA Champion.

What we fail to understand is Floyd made McGregor famous and rich on purpose.. Because he knew how to choose his opponent..

Plenty of Christians are fighting loosing battles because they choose the wrong fight!!!

Satan’s tactic is distraction… distract you while i steal, kill and destroy..

See Mayweather knew some fights where for the ring and others for the boardroom.

Some of us are pre occupied with who’s hating on you, and your loosing the fight in the bedroom..

I’m So sick of the the my hater syndrome. It’s a victims mentality. You take that same they hating on me person (female) put them in a chair, take off everything artificial.....eye laces, weave, make up, push up bra, Tj Maxx outfit, payless shoes.. and then ask them who is really hating on you..

Know if you raising the dead, giving site to the blind & lame folk are walking at your hand touch then yea you going to have some haters… But BOOBOO people ain’t thinking about you.. You focused on the wrong fight....

David was on the run from his mentor, and landed in a cave of Adullam. His fathers house including his brothers all came down to adullam. along with everyone that was in distress, in debt & discontented about 400 men.

The bible states that Saul was extremly upset at the fact David seemed a few steps ahead of every move, he accused his men of conspiring against him, Doeg the Edomite told him that he had seen David with Ahimelek the priest. And the priest had given David and his men provision & Goliath sword..

Saul summons the priest and instructs Doeg to slaughters them for helping David, 85 priest were killed then he sent Doeg to the city of priest and struck with the sword men, women & children. The only survivor was Ahimelek son Abiathar who escaped and found David and told him what happened..

So that brings us to our text...

David is given the news that the real enemy (the Philistines) are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors.

Threshing floor: In biblical days there was no machinery, so after the harvest, the grain was separated from the straw and husks by beating it manually. First there had to be a flat surface that was smooth and hard, and this was known as the threshing floor. The process of threshing was performed generally by spreading the sheaves on the threshing floor and causing oxen and cattle to tread repeatedly over them, loosening the edible part of cereal grain (or other crop) from the scaly, inedible chaff that surrounds it (; ). On occasion, flails or sticks were used for this purpose (; ). Then winnowing forks were used to throw the mixture into the air so the wind could blow away the chaff, leaving only the good grain on the floor.

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Threshing floor: In biblical days there was no machinery, so after the harvest, the grain was separated from the straw and husks by beating it manually. First there had to be a flat surface that was smooth and hard, and this was known as the threshing floor. The process of threshing was performed generally by spreading the sheaves on the threshing floor and causing oxen and cattle to tread repeatedly over them, loosening the edible part of cereal grain (or other crop) from the scaly, inedible chaff that surrounds it (; ). On occasion, flails or sticks were used for this purpose (; ). Then winnowing forks were used to throw the mixture into the air so the wind could blow away the chaff, leaving only the good grain on the floor.

Threshing floor: In biblical days there was no machinery, so after the harvest, the grain was separated from the straw and husks by beating it manually. First there had to be a flat surface that was smooth and hard, and this was known as the threshing floor. The process of threshing was performed generally by spreading the sheaves on the threshing floor and causing oxen and cattle to tread repeatedly over them, loosening the edible part of cereal grain (or other crop) from the scaly, inedible chaff that surrounds it (; ). On occasion, flails or sticks were used for this purpose (; ). Then winnowing forks were used to throw the mixture into the air so the wind could blow away the chaff, leaving only the good grain on the floor.

Verse 2 *Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

2 *Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and rescue Keilah.”

Modern English Version.

Tap 3 people and tell them Go After it!!!!!

Modern English Version.

please remember:

Pick Your Opponent

1. Here in was David’s dilemma.. He had 400 men who where broke, busted and discussed

but they had potential....

Define Potential: Having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success and usefulness.

400 in distress, in debt & discontented &&&&&& AFRAID

distress, and every one in debt, and every one that was discontented.

They where afraid before they even arrived to the fight!!!

And they stated how much more afraid will we be if we go down to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines

So why would David entertain going to help folk with scary dudes?

Define Potential: Having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success and usefulness.

Because God said Go After IT!!!

I have been able to accomplish great exploits with God, not because i had a majority support, heck if i had told some folks what i needed to get this building done they would have fought against it!!! But God said go After it!! and I Did.. I wonder if there is something you should be going after but you keep hearing the fear of other people in your ear..

David was trained to block out doubters & unbelievers.. Thats why when he faced Goliath he didn’t need Saul’s armor, he just needed to come in the name of the Lord..

Tell someone better looking than you, when you come to fight come in Jesus name…

2. David needed confirmation because his entire crew was scared, he’s like Lord i got 400 punks with me, should i sit this one out or what. The Lord answered him Arise , go down to Keilah because i am giving you the Philistines into your hand..

David and his men fought the fight, won, carried off livestock and struck them with a great slaughter.

At this point Abiathar finds David at Keilah’s and he has with him the secret weapon…The ephod.. (the upper garment of jewish priest)

'The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' NKJV.

When your in warfare Praise works like a magnifying glass. It causes what you're focusing on to get bigger, to be 'magnified.' David said, 'Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

3. Warning after every great victory comes the test or trial..

7 It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand. For he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars.” 8 Then Saul summoned all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men

David gets word Saul is planning evil against him, so he calls for Abiathar to bring the weapon near, 10 And David said, “O Lord, God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on account of me. 11 Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.”

10 And David said, “O Lord, God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on account of me. 11 Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will come down.”

NOW this shouldn’t surprise us!! Saul wants to Kill David.. watch this..

Modern English Version Chapter 23

12 *Then said David, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?”

And the LORD said, “They will deliver you.”

Davids no dummy even though he has fought for these people, saved their lives, risked his men for these people.. in the words of Chris Brown (these bros ant loyal) well not exactly his words…

Discernment:

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

To discern spirits means to determine the spiritual source of an attitude or action of an individual, or what spiritual being is creating a specific atmosphere or invading a particular environment. So through the gift of discernment we can determine if something is divine, devilish, or of human origin. Through this gift we not only have the ability to identify evil spirits, but we can also expose their assignments. The Spirit of discernment is our safeguard against deception. Discernment in Greek means ‘judging through”, or a piercing of all that is outward and a seeing right through. Do not get confused here. It is not keen insight into human nature. Many people have this discernment that are not saved or spirit filled. It is not really so much what you can see as what you sense in the spiritual realm. It’s a knowing. The eyes of your spirit will however be able to practice seeing in these activations as Adam and Eve saw while they were still perfect. Your spiritual eyes and your spiritual senses must be trained to actually see and tap into three realms. The Kingdom of darkness, the Kingdom of Light, and into the realm of the human soul. You must be trained and able to detect the Lord’s presence, anointing and His divine leading, as well as demonic activity. Discerning what spirit is behind the demonic activity in people, situations, or geographic areas must be determined if we are to pray effectively against them and see the earth restored and rid of evil. How can the enemies of God’s Kingdom be bound for a thousand years in Hell if we can’t discern them, and how can the assignments put against God’s family and Kingdom be loosed if we just blame everything on circumstances or fate? Word of caution here, you must be very careful to not become God’s little detectives, always looking for devil inspired problems, especially in your brothers and sisters! The Lord does not sanction fault-finding. He hates a critical or judgmental attitude. He is a God of love. So, if you operate in that mode, you yourself are not operating in the right spirit, nor in a gift from the Holy Spirit! The Word says, “by their fruit you will know them.” Unforgiveness and fault-finding is not a fruit of a Godly spirit.

David was able to seek God in discerning these dudes where going to sell him out,

Notice David doesn’t get in a heated disagreement. Why you going to do me that way after all i did for you,

This isn’t an opponent he needs to fight..

When God reveals to you who a person really is believe it....

Notice David didn’t have to then ask God should i stay, should I fight , or why everybody hating on me… NOPE

New Living Translation Chapter 23

David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?”

And the LORD replied, “Yes, they will betray you.”

13 So David and his men—about 600 of them now—left Keilah and began roaming the countryside

You have to know when to fight and when to flight!!!

Your not being a punk because your walking away from a fight!!

New Living Translation Chapter 10

39 Once again they tried to arrest him, but he got away and left them. 40 He went beyond the Jordan River near the place where John was first baptizing and stayed there awhile

 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

15 When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Sometimes you have to get away or slip away.. Bottom line learn when to leave....

Sometimes you have to get away or slip away.. Bottom line learn when to leave....

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Let’s take a panarama view of this text concerning Keilah...

The bible never said what the condition of Keilah’s men where but I am sure they where glad to see help coming,

I am a devote loyalist.. If im with you i am with you, i will stand with you right or wrong.. (privately) i will pull you up regarding your wrong.. But at the end of the day when you call i coming…

So to think that Keilah who belonged to Saul’s church was being terrorised by the Philitines and my Pastor could care less if i died because he was pre-occupied with Killing the same dude that had the courage to help.. Well guess i’m attending the City Of David church....

The moment you show me that the feelings aren’t mutual.. Im out…

(share what i said to presidents)

People like Keilah say stuff like, “well i never asked you to come help me”

“i didn’t need your help”

“you did that on your own, i am not obligated to help you fight Saul”

I don’t care how much rent you pay for them, how many times you buy groceries, visit there kid in jail at the end of the day Keilah is going to betray you…

Look at 3 people and say them bros aint loyal…

listen everyone in hear is or was connected to Keilah, every church has Keilah’s i know i do..

So David has grown from 400 to 600 men,

When you learn how to pick your opponents you won’t die you multiply…

When you learn to pick your opponents, you know when the fight has begun and when its over.

When you learn to pick your opponents you understand why you must go after it!! And Why you shouldn’t....