1 Samuel 23
BSB1 Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors." 2 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." 3 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?" 4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand." 5 Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah. 6 (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.) 7 When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars." 8 Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. 9 When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod." 10 And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” “He will,” said the LORD. 12 So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD. 13 Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth. 14 And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand. 15 While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, 17 saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true." 18 So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home. 19 Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? 20 Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand." 21 “May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me. 22 Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. 23 Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah." 24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon, 25 and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there. 26 Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. 27 Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!" 28 So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En-gedi.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 23
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 1 Samuel 23
- Themes from 1 Samuel 23
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 23
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with David inquiring of the Lord about whether he should attack the Philistines who are oppressing the city of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1-5). God tells David to attack the Philistines, and David trusts in God's promise of victory. However, when David hears that Saul is coming to Keilah to capture him, he inquires of the Lord again and is told to leave the city (1 Samuel 23:6-12). David and his men escape to the wilderness of Ziph, where they are betrayed by the Ziphites, who inform Saul of David's location (1 Samuel 23:13-14). Despite the danger, David trusts in God's protection and writes a psalm of praise, expressing his confidence in God's deliverance (1 Samuel 23:15-29). The chapter concludes with David's men encouraging him to take matters into his own hands, but David refuses, choosing instead to trust in God's timing and plan.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of the larger narrative of 1 Samuel, which describes the transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy in Israel. The chapter is also part of the story of David's rise to power, which is a central theme of the book. In the larger biblical narrative, this chapter points to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who will deliver His people from sin and death.
Heart Application
As we reflect on this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and guidance. We can apply this to our own lives by seeking God's will and direction, just as David did. We can also look to Christ, who is our ultimate deliverer and source of encouragement.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter tells the story of David's trust in God as he flees from King Saul. David asks God for guidance and protection, and God provides. The chapter reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, just as David did. We can see this in 1 Samuel 23:1-5, where David inquires of the Lord and trusts in His promise of victory.
Voices from the Church
“The greatest mercy is to be guided by the Lord, and to have our way made plain before us.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“We must not think that we are abandoned by God, even when we are beset by many dangers and difficulties.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- David Inquires of the Lord (1 Samuel 23:1-5) — David asks God if he should attack the Philistines, and God tells him to do so.
- David Trusts in God's Promise (1 Samuel 23:6-12) — David trusts in God's promise of victory, despite the danger posed by Saul.
- David Escapes to the Wilderness (1 Samuel 23:13-14) — David and his men escape to the wilderness of Ziph, where they are betrayed by the Ziphites.
- Jonathan Encourages David (1 Samuel 23:15-18) — Jonathan visits David and encourages him in his faith, reminding him of God's promise to make him king.
- David Writes a Psalm of Praise (1 Samuel 23:19-29) — David writes a psalm of praise, expressing his confidence in God's deliverance and sovereignty.
Core Doctrines
- Providence
- This chapter teaches us about God's providence, highlighting His guidance and protection of David in the midst of danger and adversity.
- Faith
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's sovereignty, just as David trusted in God's promise of deliverance.
- Perseverance
- The chapter reminds us to persevere in our faith, even in the face of challenges and difficulties, just as David did.
- Encouragement
- The chapter highlights the importance of encouraging one another in our faith, just as Jonathan encouraged David in the midst of adversity.
Lessons from 1 Samuel 23
- Seeking God's Guidance — The chapter teaches us to seek God's guidance and direction in our lives, just as David did.
- Trusting in God's Sovereignty — The chapter reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.
- Encouraging Others — The chapter highlights the importance of encouraging others in their faith, just as Jonathan encouraged David.
- Persevering in Faith — The chapter reminds us to persevere in our faith, even when faced with challenges and difficulties.
- Trusting in God's Deliverance — The chapter teaches us to trust in God's deliverance and sovereignty, just as David did.
Themes from 1 Samuel 23
- God's Guidance — The chapter highlights God's guidance and direction in David's life, just as He guides us today.
- Faith and Trust — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's sovereignty, just as David trusted in God's promise of deliverance.
- Perseverance — The chapter reminds us to persevere in our faith, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.
- Encouragement — The chapter highlights the importance of encouraging others in their faith, just as Jonathan encouraged David.
- God's Deliverance — The chapter teaches us to trust in God's deliverance and sovereignty, just as David did.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways that you can seek God's guidance and direction in your life, just as David did?
- How can you trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, even in the face of challenges and difficulties?
- What are some ways that you can encourage others in their faith, just as Jonathan encouraged David?
- How can you apply the lessons of this chapter to your own life, trusting in God's deliverance and sovereignty?
- What are some ways that you can persevere in your faith, even when faced with challenges and difficulties?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. David Inquires of the Lord (1 Samuel 23:1-5)
| 23:1 | David inquires of the Lord about whether he should attack the Philistines. |
| 23:2 | God tells David to attack the Philistines, and David trusts in God's promise of victory. |
2. David Trusts in God's Promise (1 Samuel 23:6-12)
| 23:6 | David trusts in God's promise of victory, despite the danger posed by Saul. |
| 23:7 | Saul learns that David is in Keilah and prepares to capture him. |
3. David Escapes to the Wilderness (1 Samuel 23:13-14)
| 23:13 | David and his men escape to the wilderness of Ziph. |
| 23:14 | The Ziphites betray David, informing Saul of his location. |
4. Jonathan Encourages David (1 Samuel 23:15-18)
| 23:15 | Jonathan visits David and encourages him in his faith. |
| 23:16 | Jonathan reminds David of God's promise to make him king. |
5. David Writes a Psalm of Praise (1 Samuel 23:19-29)
| 23:19 | David writes a psalm of praise, expressing his confidence in God's deliverance and sovereignty. |
| 23:20 | The Ziphites again betray David, but he escapes to the strongholds of En Gedi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David inquire of the Lord about whether he should attack the Philistines?
David inquired of the Lord because he wanted to make sure that he was doing God's will and to seek His guidance and direction (1 Samuel 23:1-5).
What can we learn from David's trust in God's promise of victory?
We can learn to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, even in the face of challenges and difficulties (1 Samuel 23:6-12).
Why did Jonathan visit David and encourage him in his faith?
Jonathan visited David to remind him of God's promise to make him king and to encourage him in his faith (1 Samuel 23:15-18).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 23:1 → Psalm 27:1-3 | David's trust in God's guidance and protection is similar to the trust expressed in Psalm 27:1-3. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 23:6 → 1 Corinthians 10:13 | The temptation that David faced is similar to the temptations that we face today, but God is faithful to provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 23:15 → Proverbs 17:17 | The friendship between David and Jonathan is an example of the kind of friendship described in Proverbs 17:17. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 23:16 → Hebrews 13:6 | The encouragement that Jonathan gave to David is similar to the encouragement that we can give to one another in our faith (Hebrews 13:6). |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 23:19 → Psalm 54:1-7 | David's psalm of praise in 1 Samuel 23:19-29 is similar to the psalm of praise in Psalm 54:1-7. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 23:20 → Matthew 10:28 | The danger that David faced is similar to the danger that we may face as believers, but we can trust in God's protection and deliverance (Matthew 10:28). |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 23:24 → 2 Timothy 4:17 | The strongholds of En Gedi where David escaped are similar to the spiritual strongholds that we have in Christ (2 Timothy 4:17). |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 23:29 → Psalm 57:1-11 | David's experience in the strongholds of En Gedi is similar to the experience described in Psalm 57:1-11. |
Sermons on 1 Samuel 23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Personal Promise by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David from the book of 1 Samuel. David goes from being an unknown shepherd boy to a famous warrior and leader of the army. Howeve |
|
David - the Unifier by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of unity among believers. He emphasizes the need for a unifying factor that will bind them together and keep them functioning a |
|
(1 Samuel) Strengthening Your Hand in God by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of David in 1 Samuel 23 and his response to a difficult situation. David finds himself in a dark and challenging time, but instead |
|
|
(2 Samuel) More Anointing, More War by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the need for Christians to have a mature understanding of the spiritual battle they face. He uses the example of a young man in military tra |
|
David's Fight With the Philistines by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the story of David's fight with the Philistines as described in 1 Samuel chapter 23. The Philistines were attacking the people of Kaila |
|
(Through the Bible) 1 Samuel by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the contrasting lives of Saul and David in the book of 1 Samuel. It highlights Saul's downfall due to disobedience, fear of people, lack of repentance, and |
|
David's Courage and Resolve at Keilah (1 Sam. 23; Ps. 54) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes David's courage and resolve during his time in Keilah, despite facing overwhelming shame, fear, and despair from past failures and current pressures. David's |
|
The Stone of Salvation or Destruction by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar explores the multifaceted significance of the 'stone' in Matthew 21:44, emphasizing its role as a symbol of Christ. He discusses how this stone represents rejection, |
|
He Said to Abiathar the Priest, by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of distress, as exemplified by David's reliance on the ephod during a crisis when his men considered stoning |
|
The Ministry of Refreshing by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the vital role of believers in the ministry of refreshing one another, as illustrated in Acts 27 and 2 Timothy. He highlights the example of Onesiphorus, |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Samuel 23
In this chapter, we see the wonderful providence of God in the life of David. Despite the danger posed by Saul, David trusts in God's guidance and protection, and God delivers him. The chapter also highlights the importance of friendship and encouragement, as seen in the relationship between David and Jonathan. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit' (Psalm 34:18). This chapter reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance, even in the face of challenges and difficulties, and to look to Him for deliverance and salvation. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
David's Dependence on God
David's repeated inquiries of the Lord demonstrate his dependence on God's guidance and direction. This is a model for us to follow in our own lives, seeking God's will and trusting in His sovereignty.
The Danger of Saul's Jealousy
Saul's jealousy and anger towards David are a stark contrast to David's trust and confidence in God. This highlights the danger of allowing our emotions and circumstances to control us, rather than trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty.
The Importance of Friendship
Jonathan's visit to David reminds us of the importance of having friends who will stand with us and encourage us in our faith. This is a vital aspect of the Christian life, providing support and accountability as we navigate the challenges of following Christ.