David Delivers Keilah From The Philistines
April 8, 2020
Commentary
David is asked to deliver Keilah, which is a Philistine border town about 15 miles southwest of Bethlehem (vv.1-5). This town was continually being robbed of its grain by the Philistines (v. 1). David asked the Lord what he should do and was told to attack the Philistines and save Keilah (v. 2).
David’s followers were afraid and did not want to go against the Philistines (v.3). However the Lord promised to give them victory, so David and his men rescued the people of Keilah (vv. 4-5 ). Meanwhile Saul heard that David was in Keilah and decided to surround the town and trap David and his men (vv. 6-8). The people repay his kindness by betraying him to Saul (vv.7-12). David Hides From Saul in The Cave of Adullham
When David hears about Saul’s plans, he is faced with a new dilemma. By this time, Abiathar, the priest, had joined David, who asked Abiathar, to bring the ephod (v.9). The ephod Abiathar had was a bright colored, sleeveless vest with 12 gemstones representing each tribe. David prayed and asked the Lord what he should do (v. 10). He asked if the leaders of Keilah will turn him over to Saul (v. 11) The Lord answered that Saul is coming and that the leaders would be turning him over to Saul (v. 12). After seeking the Lord’s guidance, David and his 600 men got out of there and stayed in hideouts in the wilderness of Ziph (v. 13). This was a desolate, hilly and wooded area between Hebron and the Dead Sea. Saul heard that David had left Keilah, and he decided not to go after him. Saul kept searching but God never let him catch David (v. 14).
Application
When the people of Keilah showed their lack of gratitude to David, it would have been natural for him to express his disappointment over their shallowness and lack of true loyalty. Instead, Psalms says that he rejoiced in God’s goodness (Psalm 31:23). What is my reaction when an adversity strikes?
1 Samuel 23:1– 14 (NET)
1 They told David, “The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors.” 2 So David asked the Lord, “Should I go and strike down these Philistines?” The Lord said to David, “Go, strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”
3 But David’s men said to him, “We are afraid while we are still here in Judah. What will it be like if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4 So David asked the Lord once again. But again the Lord replied, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”
5 So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He took away their cattle and thoroughly defeated them. David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.
6 Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech had fled to David at Keilah, he had brought with him an ephod. 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.” 8 So Saul mustered all his army to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.
9 When David realized that Saul was planning to harm him, he told Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 Then David said, “O Lord God of Israel, your servant has clearly heard that Saul is planning to come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me. 11 Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, please inform your servant.”
12 David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah deliver me and my men into Saul’s hand?” The Lord said, “They will deliver you over.”
13 So David and his men, who numbered about 600, set out and left Keilah; they moved around from one place to another. When told that David had escaped from Keilah, Saul called a halt to his expedition. 14 David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hands.