1 Samuel 23: A Story of Deliverance

 

Introduction

Today in Chapter 23 we see a ‘Story of Deliverance’.

Indeed, when David reflected on the events described here, he wrote a song, Psalm 54 (we read part of it in our Call to Worship). Psalm 54 builds to this wonderful conclusion: ‘…I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.’.

So Chapter 23 a story of deliverance, or multiple deliverances. In this true story from God’s Word, we see:

David delivered Keilah by God’s guiding

Jonathan’s friendship delivered David from despair

God’s strange deliverance of David

Today we see God give David His Word to guide him when he needed direction, a faithful friend to strengthen David in his despair, and God work another strange deliverance for His anointed-king.

In the same way, as God’s People today, we have God’s Word to guide us, Christian fellowship to strengthen us, and the wonderful deliverance of the Cross. And so, we are reminded that God will strengthen and guide His People and ultimately deliver us when we trust in Him.

So, let us see, firstly…

…David delivered Keilah by God’s guiding.

Chapter 23 begins by focusing on David’s reliance upon God’s revelation to deliver and be delivered. Here we are reminded of the value of living by God’s Word in all the ups and downs of life. One commentator beautifully sums up verses 1 to 13 when he writes:

Encouragement from God for the people of God comes from the word of God.

Today, we can take heart that God delivers His People and directs them to places of blessing through the truth of His Word.

 

Most commentators agree that what is described in the opening verses of Chapter 23 was taking place while Saul was wreaking havoc in Nob. In verses 1 and 2 we read how David, having heard about the difficulties of the people of Keilah, sought God’s direction. God guidance led him to action. And so, while Saul is destroying God’s priests, David is rescuing God’s People from the Philistines.

It is worth noting that Saul, increasingly fixated on imaginary plots, neglected his main duty as king- to protect his people- and embarked on a path of darkness and destruction. But while Saul ranted and raved and descended further into darkness, David showed sacrificial concern for God’s People and a desire to be led by God’s Word.

Likewise, in times of trouble we must go to God and listen to His Word. We may be tempted to listen to the supposed ‘wisdom’ of the word. It may be convenient to heed the ‘counsel’ of our friends. But, if we are truly God’s People, then we will listen to God as He speaks and obey His truth knowing that blessing will come.

Indeed, God promises to bless those who turn to Him for guidance. As David taught in Psalm 19:

The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.

In David’s case, God’s Word guided David to rescue Keilah: Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah. Though David himself was under threat, he was to do the work of God’s king and save His People.

We see, however, that this guidnace did not find an enthusiastic response from David’s men; in verse 3 we read:

…David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

It was dangerous enough in the forest of Hereth, with Saul to worry about. Was it really a good idea to take on the Philistines as well?

Wisely, David did not argue with the men but again sought God’s direction. David did not rely on his own reasoning which could easily become manipulation. Instead, David sought God’s guidance because true spiritual leaders guide God’s People by the plain statement of God’s Word.

In verse 4 we read:

Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”

You can’t get clearer than that! God makes it clear that this command is centred on a promise: God Himself will give them the victory over the Philistines.

God’s Word gave David a clear direction for action and a promise of divine help. In verse 5 we see the command and the promise met obedience. In the obedience to the command, the promise proved true and God’s People were blessed. As Saul was overseeing the slaughter of the priests of Nob, David was saving the people of Keilah! Saul the destroyer, David the deliverer.

During this time God gave to David not only a prophet (Gad) to discover God’s Word, but also Abiathar, son of the High Priest, who escaped the massacre at Nob. And so, in verse 6, we read:

 (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

Attached to this ephod was the breast-piece which contained the Urim and Thummim- provided by God for receiving revelation from God.

Now, remember that Saul had alienated the prophets and slaughtered the priests. David, on the other hand, was now served by a faithful prophet and a true priest.In this way, God provided David with all he needed to fulfil God’s purposes for His life- as God’s king he would rule by God’s Word in the company of the prophets and priests.

Likewise, as God’s People today, we look to God’s Word to help us fulfil God’s purposes for our lives. And, ultimately, we look to Jesus- God’s King who rules over us, our true prophet to guide us, and our perfect High Priest to minister to us in our need.

In verse 7 we turn back to Saul, presumably still sitting under his tamarisk tree. We hear Saul receive the only kind of news Saul was interested in, and it cheered him up.

 

Saul’s only interest these days was the eradication of David. In verse 7 we do not hear Saul rejoice at the deliverance of Keilah. Instead, he praises God for giving David into his hand- the irony of this tyrant claiming that God was working for him is bitter.

We move back to Keilah to see what David was doing as Saul was plotting his attack on the town. What we are told in verse 9 is delightful. Threatened again by Saul, and no doubt wearied by Saul’s relentless malice, he sought God’s guidance and he prayed.

In verses 10 and David brings his concerns before the ‘LORD, the God of Israel’. David had two concerns. One was the threat Saul posed to Keilah. The other concern was the threat that Keilah could pose to David.

The Lord answered the first question. Then, in verse 12 David repeated the second question and the Lord answered again.

The power of Saul must have been terrible. No blame is laid by David, the Lord, or the writer on the people of Keilah. We are merely left with the impression that the fear of Saul the destroyer was greater than any gratitude felt to David the deliverer. Afterall, they had probably heard about the happenings at Nob!

In verse 13 David leaves Keilah, concerned for their welfare and that of his men. Saul had been thwarted again. David and his men were safe but found themselves with nowhere to lay their heads. But verse 14 is very telling:

David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

David was committed to the safety of his people, the defeat of their enemies, and doing the will of God. But his kingdom was bitterly opposed by the one with worldly power. And yet, God was with Him, directing his paths, and would deliver him.

And so, secondly, we see…

…Jonathan’s friendship deliver David from despair.

I wonder as you read 1 Samuel, particularly the last few chapters, do you ever stop to think about David and how he must have felt? If not, then now is a good time to stop and ponder David’s emotional state.

Perhaps consider how he’s living under constant threat of his life. Saul’s determination to eliminate David had become a nationwide manhunt and he was prepared to brutally punish any who offered David help. And then think about the 600 or so men David is leading- a motely crew at best. And think about how he has no one to turn to during all of this- he is a fugitive and far from home. David could not even trust himself to the people of Keilah, whom he had recently rescued from the Philistines.

In verse 15 we see that Saul’s threat to David still dominates the story:

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

This is a particularly low point for David. His location was depressing- the Wilderness of Ziph was not exactly a palace! His circumstances were depressing- would there be no end to Saul’s obsessive hatred?

The pressure on David must have been immense. He must have felt like giving up. He maybe wondered to himself: How did I ever get myself into this? And when will it end?

Many of us will find ourselves where David was, and what happens to David in the wilderness should bring us encouragement.

In the next part of the story, we see Jonathan go out to meet with his beloved friend David. In Jonathan, God provides David with encouragement and strength to keep going. God provides for His People in His Word and in the fellowship of His People.

And so, in verse 16 we read:

And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God

Here we see Jonathan act to provide on of the classic examples of faithful friendship. Jonathan took the initiative and went to his friend in need. He left the safety and comfort of the palace to face the danger and deprivation experienced by his friend. A friend unwilling, or even eager, to sacrifice is not worthy of being called a friend.

And Jonathan was sensitive to the needs of his friend. He entered into David’s experience to minister to him. Jonathan went to David in his place of struggle. He offered David the gift of being present with him, of knowing he was not alone in this situation.

But Jonathan did more than this; in verse 17 we see how Jonathan helped David find strength in God:

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”

Jonathan came and strengthened David’s faith in the Lord- in His purposes and His promises.

Jonathan counselled David to look beyond the circumstances he faced to the promises of God. Like any Godly friend, Jonathan knew that David needed to hear and believe the promises of God. And what David heard from Jonathan (‘…you will be king…’) overcame what David saw(a life on the run from Saul).

Jonathan encouraged David to let the facts overrule his feelings- the truth must trump the trembling. In this dark and distressing hour Jonathan encouraged David to walk by faith, not by sight; not to fear but to have faith in God’s character and promises. Jonathan strengthened David to continue by encouraging him to trust in the promises of God rather than his perspective on the present.

As Believers we need each other to bring us to the truth, to speak God’s Word to our weary hearts. We need our Brothers and Sisters to take us to the promises of God’s Word so that we might find strength to continue in God’s perfect purposes for our lives.

Jonathan’s intervention proved to be a turning point for David. Jonathan helped his friend find strength in God so that he would not be overtaken by fear. David needed help persevering in his faith and Jonathan came and ministered to Him as a true Christian friend- he met him in his need and brought him the promises of God’s Word. With this renewed Godly perspective David was able to persevere.

In verse 18 we read that David and Jonathan reaffirmed the commitment they made at their first meeting. The threat from Saul, however, meant that they had to part. This was the last time they saw each other.

 

 

Scripture says that ‘…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother…’ and the ultimate example of that friend is the Son of God, who willingly died to free us from our sins. Like Jonathan, Jesus came from a place of safety into our world of hardship and danger. Like Jonathan, Jesus left riches and comfort to enter into our poverty. Like Jonathan, Jesus gave thought to our need and, reflecting on our misery, brought words of salvation.

Indeed, if we find ourselves in need with no Jonathan at hand to strengthen our faith, we may turn to Jesus and find a ready and present friend, who is able to ‘…sympathise with our weaknesses…’ and offer ‘…grace to help in time of need…’.

With this in mind we turn, finally, to see…

…God’s strange deliverance of David.

We are taken back from Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph about twenty-five miles north to Gibeah to see what was happening with the one who was seeking David’s life. In verses 19 and 20 Saul must have thought it was his lucky day. Some Ziphites came with precise and detailed information about David’s present location. Then they encouraged him to attack with their support.

Saul could not ask for better subjects than these Ziphites. In verse 21 Saul replied: “The Lord bless you for your concern for me…’.

Poor, paranoid Saul! How kind of these Ziphites to show pity on the unfortunate king. That the powerful Saul saw himself as the victim when it was David who was hiding in caves and hills shows how out of perspective everything had become for him.

 

David had, of course, slipped from his grasp the last time Saul had received such intelligence as this. The king was determined that should not happen again. The detailed and careful information the Ziphites had brought was not enough for him. In verses 22 and 23 he instructs them to do full sweep of the area before he commits himself to any action.

The chase was on. In verse 24 the Ziphites went to do their king’s bidding. Quickly we are taken to the thrilling chase that ensued. We are told David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon.

Saul heard about David’s manoeuvres and pursued David. In verse 26 we hear how the chase moved towards its conclusion. David was evidently aware of Saul’s manoeuvre and was scrambling to get away. But Saul’s men were getting closer.

In a moment more they would have him. We hold our breath, waiting for Saul to strike. Then we read:

‘…a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.”’. Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines.

Saul had to break off his pursuit of David to deal with the Philistine threat. So, David was delivered and the struggle would continue.

Notice, then, how David was delivered according to God’s perfect timing and strange ways. The Philistines, the enemy of God’s People, were used by God to achieve God’s purposes

 

 

And see how the deliverance of David points us to the resurrection of Jesus. In both cases God is sovereignly at work- using the enemies of God People to achieve His perfect purposes and ensuring the deliverance of His Christ for the good of His People and the glory of His name.

God is always at work for the good of His People. The Cross is powerful and poignant proof that God works in all things for the good of His People.

At times we may find it difficult to see what God is doing. But, like David, in time we may be able to look back at our times of darkness and distress, see God’s deliverance, declare: I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. You have delivered me from all my troubles…’.

Conclusion

 

As God’s People today we have God’s Word to guide us, Christian fellowship to strengthen us, and the wonderful deliverance of the Cross.

May we be a people who study God’s Word, listen when He speaks, obey His commands, and treasure His promises.

May we be a people who truly fellowship with one another, calling each other to the truth of God’s Word, the comfort of God’s Word, and to blessings of obedience to God’s Word.

And, may we be a people who cherish the wonderful deliverance there is in the Cross of Christ.