Bible Verse Synopsis 6-7-25

1st Samuel 23

David is informed of the Philistines fighting against Keilah. “Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines; and save Keilah.” - Verse 2. David’s men were afraid to go into battle. They were worried their fear would grow! “Then David enquired of the Lord yet again.” - Verse 4. David has found his Lord again and has begun to rely on Him. David and his men went to Keilah and slaughtered the Philistines. So David saved Keilah. When David turned back to God, he received blessings. In contrast to how David was while running, now he is relying on God again. How often are we like David here? Lost off the path only to return again and receive the Lord. Strive to stay on the path.

Saul finds out that David is in Keilah. Verse 7 tells us - “And it was told Saul that David was 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.” Did you read what I read? Saul thinks God is on his side? It’s amazing what we can convince ourselves of when we are led by the flesh and not the spirit. Are you being led by the spirit or the flesh, like Saul?

David hears of Saul’s plan to attack him at Keilah. What does David do? He turns to God! Just as we should. Verse 11 ends with “O Lord, God of Israel, I beseech you, tell Your servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.” David’s attitude here is exactly what we should model. He has trouble headed his way and he first turns to God. God answers him because when we turn to Him first, he knows we are devoted to Him and not the flesh. With a strong spirit, God answers us!

David and his men depart the city, as they will turn them over to Saul. David had just saved them from the Philistines, yet they turn away. Do we turn away from our Savior as well, knowing we are saved?

When David escaped Saul stopped his pursuit because he knew not where to find David. David stayed hidden from Saul and his armies to remain safe. Jonathan went and found David in the forest of Ziph. Jonathan proclaims in verse 17: “Fear not, for the hand of Saul, my father, shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto you, and that also Saul, my father, knows.” Jonathan’s faith guided him to David and this revelation. Saul also knows, even if he refuses to submit to this. Samuel told him so in our previous chapters. Do we ignore the Word of God as Saul did and fight for the desires of the flesh or are we like Jonathan and let our faith guide us?

So David and Jonathan made a covenant before the Lord. Once again, they have made a covenant. With God’s blessings they keep their covenants. With their faith intact they submit to God’s will and it shall be done. What covenants are we following through on and what other covenants are we forgetting about?

The Ziphites tell Saul where David is hiding. Saul answered them “Blessed be ye of the Lord; for you have compassion on me.” - verse 21. How can Saul be justified to use the Lord’s name? His heart is not with God and blessings he gives are not of God but of man. Without faith we cannot truly be with God and any use of the Lord’s word and name is not condoned without faith in Him. Saul encourages the Ziphites to find David and his hiding places and then return to inform him of these places so he may go forth unto David. David continues to move on and goes to the wilderness of Maon. Saul pursues him there also. Saul’s pursuit finds David and his men nearly surrounded by Saul. All hope seems lost for David as he has nowhere to go. In verse 27: “But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.” Saul left his pursuit of David to go fight off the Philistines. God sent the Philistines to war against Israel to save David. At the last moment, God prevailed. This is a test of David and his men’s faith in Him. It must have been strong for God intervened. When all hope is lost in our current situations, do we keep the faith or do we succumb to flesh? No matter the situation, keep your faith in Him. Even in the darkest moments, God will protect you, just as He protected David.