(1) The main theme of this chapter is in
v.14b Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand.
When Saul closed in and almost got David, God found David a way out.
23:26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, while David and his men went on the other side of the mountain. David was hurrying to get away from Saul, but Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men so they could capture them. 23:27 But a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”
Reflections: I once heard a sister, whose family lived in North Minneapolis for the purpose of ministry, told me this, "the safest place is where the will of God is." David was so close to the hand of Saul, but if God does not allow Saul could not get him. We do not need to live in fear every day. We only need to make sure that we are doing what the LORD wants us to do. That will be the safest place/way to live.
Reflections: I once heard a sister, whose family lived in North Minneapolis for the purpose of ministry, told me this, "the safest place is where the will of God is." David was so close to the hand of Saul, but if God does not allow Saul could not get him. We do not need to live in fear every day. We only need to make sure that we are doing what the LORD wants us to do. That will be the safest place/way to live.
(2) 3 persons seeking God's will
a. David asked God when he saw a need in Keilah v.1-2. When his army was afraid he asked God again and the answer was the same. So he and his army went v.3-5. On one hand, David obeyed God even when helping the Keilah was dangerous. On the other hand, David was willing to listen to other, but after confirming with God he led others to follow God.
David asked God's will again when he realized that Saul was planning to harm him.
23:9b he told Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod!”
(NAC) Abiathar’s ephod was presumably like the cultic garment mentioned in the Torah (cf. Exod 28:6–35) that had attached to it a pouch containing the revelatory Urim and Thummim. Thus with Abiathar’s arrival David now had acquired access to the only revelatory device sanctioned by the Torah (cf. Num 27:21).
b. Saul did not even bother to ask God's will. He presumed God's will.
23:7 When Saul was told that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has boxed himself into a corner by entering a city with two barred gates.”
c. Jonathan knew God's will and submitted to God's will. As previously discussed, Jonathan could be the second in line for the throne, but he knew clearly the will of God and encouraged David to be the king.
c. Jonathan knew God's will and submitted to God's will. As previously discussed, Jonathan could be the second in line for the throne, but he knew clearly the will of God and encouraged David to be the king.
23:16 Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God. 23:17 He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.”
Reflections: Are we willing to sacrifice and still submit to God's will like Jonathan? Or do we presume God's will and do not even bother to ask God like Saul?
Audrey
Audrey
2024
v.1-18
Bright spots
1. David struck down the P and delivered the Keilah. It was not without risk and caused his followers to pause before David confirmed with God and decided to go for it v.3-4. But at the end, the leaders of K were ready to hand him over to Saul v.11-12. Why did God still let David to deliver them?
(a). God still wanted the K to be delivered from the P.
(b). Both David and his men were obedience to God to the point of risking their own lives.
2. David had inquired God of his decision repeatedly in this passage v.2,4,10,12. On the other hand, Saul only pushed his own agenda into God's.
7 When Saul was told that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has boxed himself into a corner by entering a city with two barred gates.”
3. It was obviously who pleased God. v.14 Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand.
God did not do what he thought and delivered David into his hand. Far from it, God made his hunt for David in vain.
Jonathan said that was the truth (David would be the ruler and Jonathan would be second, (and) Saul could not find David) was even known by Saul knew. 17 He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.”
Saul was doing a fruitless chase to David.
Question: What did the answered God gave to David in v.11-12 mean if David eventually left K and Saul called a halt to his expedition? They would certainly happened if David did not make any change, but since David changed they did not happen. God did not just ordained what would happen, but He also know what would possibly have happened??
Reflection:
Am I like David to inquire the Lord and then obedience to His will? Or I am like Saul and pushed my own agenda to God? The result of doing that is a fruitless chase all my life.
v.19-29
Bright spots
1. Locations and precise locations were mentioned repeatedly.
The rift valley to the s of Jeshimon v.24, the rock and wilderness of Moan v.25,Sela Hammakhleqoth v.28 (Rock of Divisions)
2. Saul could not find the precise location and seemed like he learned that his helper needed to give him dependable information from previous experience
3. Even with this previous failure Saul was confident that he could find David, but in reality he could not.v.22 Go and make further arrangements. Determine precisely [fixed, securely determined] where he is and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning23 Locate precisely all the places where he hides and return to me with dependable information. [same word as in v.22, according to (what is) certain, = certainly, assuredly]
v.23b I will find him among all the thousands of Judah.”v.25b But David was informed and went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maonv.26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, while David and his men went on the other side of the mountain.
4. At the end, it was not whether he could get dependable information for the location of David, but his own business that hindered his capture of David.
27 But a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”
v.28b that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth (NET-The name הַמַּחְלְקוֹת סֶלַע (Sela Hammakhleqoth) probably means “Rock of Divisions” in Hebrew, in the sense that Saul and David parted company there)
Reflection
With repeated failures, and with volunteer' help Saul could not find David. He was confident that he could if he had have more dependable information this time. At the end, it was not because he could not obtain a more dependable information, but God did not allow, Saul could not capture David. Was Saul too depend on his ability and never calcualte his action with God in his mind? Pray that I will not be like Saul in planning the future of our church.
In a sense, I do not know what did God prohibit 3CW children ministry to do. I pray that I will keep my mind open for God's leading. e.g. I thought about Da Lun last Sunday, and when I contacted his mom I thought about his sister, who is in the same age group as Landy's older daughter.
Questions:
1. David had inquired God of his decision repeatedly in this passage v.2,4,10,12. I need to pray for 3CW children ministry more often for guidance before I make decisions.
2. v.14 Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand.
3. v.16b He encouraged David through God's promise v.17. He also helped David to visualize the future through His promise. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command v.17b.
4. 21 Saul replied, “May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me." Saul did not believe in God, and he only pushed his own agenda to God v.7 vs v.10. But he blessed other using God's name.
God used the P to invade Saul to stop him.
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