1 Samuel 23:6-14 – God will take care of His own

Abiathar, we remember, was the sole survivor of the massacre of the priests at Nob. When he escaped the massacre, he brought the ephod along with him. This was probably the part of the priest’s garment worn over the tunic and the robe. Attached to the breast piece of the ephod was the Urim and Thummim for the priest to seek direction from the Lord. Here we are told that he joined David at Keilah. It is interesting to note that God had not been communicating with Saul but he spoke often with David. He warned him through the prophet Gad. He answered David’s personal cry. And now with the coming of Abiathar with the ephod, he had another means to seek God’s guidance and direction. Indirectly, this was the making of Saul. Had he not murdered the priests, Abiathar would not have gone to join David, making the ephod available to the would-be king.

While news of Keilah being attacked came to David, and he made a plan to rescue the people there, news of David in Keilah also reached Saul. Notice how different the perspectives both of them had. The news impacted the two differently. David was concerned with rescuing the people there, Saul was thinking of exterminating David. David saw an opportunity to help the people. Saul presumptuously thought to himself, “God has delivered him (David) into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.” So he summoned all the men of war to join him in Keilah to besiege David and his men.

In verse 9, we are told that David was aware of the evil plot of Saul against him. Unperturbed, he told Abiathar to bring the ephod to him. This is an indication that he consulted God. He basically asked two concerns. Firstly, he was concerned about the threat posed to the people of Keilah. Secondly, he was concerned about whether the people would surrender him to Saul. The answer God gave to both his questions was in the affirmative. David knew too well that the fear of Saul and what he would do had dominated the land. He probably also remembered how Ahimelech and the priests at Nob got into trouble with Saul on his account. Being a considerate man, he did not want the same to happen to Keilah. Hence, at no time was David disappointed when he heard how the people of Keilah would surrender him to Saul.  

David and his men, who had now grown from 400 to 600, departed Keilah. When Saul heard that David had escaped, he gave up on pursuing him. His plan was spoilt again. Verse 14  tells us that “David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph.” Notice what the closing line of verse 14 says, “God did not give David into his hand.” Simply put: God protected David from Saul. Like David, if we truly love God and stay connected to Him, our lives are in His hand. He will make it His business to protect us and ensure our safety. All we need is to do our part and God will do His. Remember to do what we can and leave God to do what we cannot. Trust Him absolutely!