The Life of David: 1 Samuel 22-23

How do you feel when you call a number and they place you on hold?

Americans will likely waste more than 900 million hours waiting on hold this year, according to an analysis of more than four million phone calls from consumers to businesses released this week by mobile advertising analytics firm Marchex.

And a survey by text-message service TalkTo found that more than half of Americans say they spend 10 to 20 minutes every week — or 43 days of their life — on hold.

The study also found that residents of Missouri are more likely to hang up when they are placed on hold than residents of other states.

There is not a study to determine how much time we are placed in hold spiritually. However, in our walk with God, there will be times He places us on hold.

David started with great promise. He was selected to be king instead of his brothers. He learned from Saul as he played his harp. He defeated Goliath. He became famous in Israel.

For quite a while, David’s life was placed on hold by God.

Why does God put our dreams, plans, and desires hold?

Background

After Jonathan helped David escape the murder plots of King Saul, David escaped to the cave of Adullam. Adullam means to, “hand by a thread.” David was at the end of his rope.

Seeking solace was short lived as his family and friends showed up, bringing with them their problems. They were in debt, distressed, and discontent.

David took this time to help these 400 men. He worked with them, trained them, and prepared them to become “David’s Mighty Men.”

The ragtag group of men became his warriors who helped him through the duration of his tenure as king. As David disappears from the scene for a short period of time, Saul continued to go crazy and reckless.

Saul desired to destroy anyone who seemed to be a threat to him. He creates a false reality where even the priests were against him and for David. In a jealous rage he kills 85 priests.

How do you think God felt about his actions?

Story

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David, who had worked with the 400 men for some time, heard that the Philippines, were attacking the people of Keilah. Notice how it said they were robbing them.

David, who had worked with the 400 men for some time, heard that the Philippines, were attacking the people of Keilah. Notice how it said they were robbing them.

When David heard of the injustice, he prayed and asked the Lord what he needed to do. Immediately the Lord answered to him to go and save Keilah.

Interestingly, when David’s men who had been robbed from and were in deep debt heard that they could help others, they were intimidated and afraid.

They wanted David to have compassion on them, but they did not have compassion on those who were being taken advantage of and mistreated.

Why is compassion an important part of being Godly?

1 Samuel 22:4-5

After hearing the negativity of his men, David prayed again asking the Lord what he needed to do. God instructed him to be courageous and lead the men into battle to fight the Philistines.

The odds were stacked against David and his men. The Philistines were skilled warriors while David and his men were on the run for their lives.

However, David and his men had something the Philistines did not. They possessed God’s promise to be with them. Therefore, David led them in battle with courage that was based on compassion.

What should knowing God is on our side give us courage?

God came along side David and his men and they rescued the city of Keilah. When Saul heard that David was in Keilah, he convinced himself this was God’s way of helping him kill David.

Word got to David that Saul was coming his way to kill David. He called on God in fear and concern. He had helped the people of Keilah, being moved by compassion. Now, news of his victory got to Saul and his life was threatened.

He asked God two questions, will the men of Keilah help me and will Saul really come down here to fight? God answered the second question, “yes Saul will come down.”

David asked God a second time.

God promised that the men of Keilah would spare David. They helped David escape. When Saul heard David left, he stopped his army from moving forward to Keilah.

What would have happened to David had he not had compassion on Keilah?

Why was it a good thing David was courageous in the face of fear?

Application

God placed David on hold. He goes from being a household name, a young man with great promise, to a fugitive on the run for his life from a jealous King Saul.

Though David was on hold, he was not lazy or lethargic. Though he was not yet king, he still wanted to do all he could for the Lord, which included helping the people of Keilah. God used his compassion and courage as a tool to spare his life from Saul.

God used his compassion and courage as a tool to spare his life from Saul.

In our walk with God, there are times He places us on hold. We can feel stuck, wanting to move forward in our career development, family matters, or personal life. However, it can feel like nothing is working to our favor. In those times we can feel stuck, on hold.

There are a few options, we can become lazy in our walk with God. We can become lethargic because things are not going our way. Or we can be faithful in the small things.

Why is it dangerous to become lazy in our walk with God?

In what ways do people become lethargic in their spiritual life?

What small things can we be faithful in while we wait for God to do all He has planned for us?

Matthew 25:21 NKJV

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Matthew 25:31 NKJV

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

David was faithful to help a city that was being picked on by the Philistines. God used the victory for the people of Keilah to become an avenue for David’s protection.

Challenge

Trust that God knows what He is doing when we feel on hold.

Look for ways to be faithful in the small things.

Commit to stay consistent in your prayer life and devotion time.

Ask the Lord for His grace and strength in the process of being on hold.

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