1 Samuel 23

CHAPTERS 23 AND 24THEME: God’s protection and care of David in exileDavid continues to flee with his six hundred men. Jonathan contacts David and “strengthens his hand in God.” David spares Saul’s life in En-gedi.

1 Samuel 23:1

DAVID FIGHTS THE PHILISTINESThe Philistines, the perpetual enemies of Israel, were robbing the people of Keilah of their grain supply. Notice that David seeks God’s will before he attempts to deliver Keilah. David is acting to protect these people, God’s people, although he continues to flee from Saul. When Saul learns that David and his men are contained in a walled city, he rushes his army down to capture them. Again David inquires of the Lord what his course of action should be. The Lord warns him to flee because the men of Keilah will not protect him from Saulin spite of the fact that he has been their deliverer.

1 Samuel 23:13

That is, David’s men scatteredthey didn’t move out as an organized army.

1 Samuel 23:14

SAUL PURSUES DAVID, AND JONATHAN AND DAVID MAKE A COVENANTNotice how faithful and true Jonathan is to his friend David and the things he says to encourage him.

1 Samuel 23:17

In essence Jonathan is telling David that Saul knows what is going to happen but is fighting it. Saul is, of course, going against God’s will. He is in complete rebellion against God. Jonathan, however, is willing to execute God’s will. Jonathan’s actions reveal that he is a great man. His attitude reminds me of John the Baptist who said of the Lord Jesus Christ, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Joh_3:30).

1 Samuel 23:19

Saul is determined to ferret out David and is aided by the Ziphites who promise to deliver David to him.

1 Samuel 23:26

Saul has David surrounded at this point and would surely have captured him if Saul had not been called home to fight off an invasion of the Philistines. This reveals God’s perfect timing, which again saves David’s life.