Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. 1 Samuel 23:16 NLT
Read 1 Samuel 23.
Fear, betrayal, discouragement, lies, attacks, hiding…
Sounds like the making of a spy movie or a psychological thriller!
While David was in hiding from Saul, word reaches him that the people of Keilah are in trouble. The Philistines were stealing grain from the threshing floor and threatening them. What is interesting to me is that David’s very own life is on the line, but when he hears of a town being bullied, he is ready to rescue them. He doesn’t think of his own safety or the risk.
Something else I learn from this chapter is that every time David makes a move, He asks God first. I want to stay here for a moment. How many times have we jumped the gun and did what we reasoned was best instead of consulting the Lord in prayer first? How many messes would we avoid if we simply talked to God before doing anything else?
David asked God if he should protect the people of Keilah. When the Lord told him to go, he was on it! However, his men weren’t as willing to go. They were petrified! Remember yesterday when we read of how these men were all people who were in trouble, in debt, or just discontented. This wasn’t going to be an easy group to convince!
David went to the Lord again, and God told him to go save the people of Keilah. God promised to help them defeat the Philistines, and that is what happened. David and his men went with confidence because God was with them. They defeated the bullies and saved the town!
When Saul received word of David’s whereabouts, he thought this was going to be an easy job. Here was David stuck in a walled city! There was no escape – piece of cake! Saul thought this was going to be his chance.
Somehow, David got wind of Saul’s plans, and he went straight to the Lord before deciding what to do. The Lord revealed to him that the people of Keilah, the ones he had just saved from the Philistines, were going to betray him into the hands of Saul. Can you believe this? No loyalty! No gratitude!
David and his men escaped and stayed in hideouts in the hills of Ziph. Of course, Saul heard about it. I am amazed at how quickly news spreads in David’s time without the use of the internet! However, while Saul hunted David night and day, God prevented him from finding David. While may do all we can do, it is ultimately God who will protect us and provide for us.
Not only does God provide for David’s physical needs, but God also gives him the precious gift of having some time with his best friend, Jonathan, as well as receiving some much needed encouragement. While Saul knocked himself out trying to find David, God led Jonathan right to him. Jonathan encouraged David to stay strong in his faith in God.
“Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” (verse 17)
For some reason, wherever David goes, he finds himself at the hands of a people who will betray him. The people of Ziph go straight to Saul and promise to turn David over to him. And the chase continues!
Again, David escapes, and this time, he and his men hide in the wilderness of Maon. Foiled again, Saul!
Just as Saul was about to close in on David, he receives word that the Philistines are on the attack again. He has to leave and fight the Philistines, and David gets a breather.
This was a simple part of the story, but I see quite a few lessons we can learn. I see a God who protects and saves His people and calms their fears. I see the benefit of seeking God before making decisions as David did. I am inspired by the encouragement David receives from his best friend, Jonathan, and I want to be that kind of friend. I also see that God’s plan cannot be thwarted by bullies or enemies. When God chooses someone, He will make sure that person is aligned to fulfill his destiny. Praise the Lord!
