1 Samuel 23-25: David vs Saul Continues

Thoughts

Samuel 23

David hears the Philistines are attacking Keilah. He inquires of the Lord through Abiathar the priest. Despite his men’s fear, David obeys God and defeats the Philistines, rescuing Keilah.

Saul learns David is in a fortified city and plans to trap him. David again seeks the Lord’s guidance. God reveals that Saul will come and the men of Keilah will betray David.David and about 600 men leave Keilah to avoid capture.

David hides in the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan finds David, strengthens his faith, and affirms God’s plan for him to be king. They renew their covenant before the Lord (third time).

• Psalm 54 describes this

The Ziphites inform Saul of David’s location in the wilderness. Saul blesses them for their loyalty and sends them to confirm David’s hiding place.

Saul pursues David in the wilderness of Maon.Just as Saul closes in, a messenger reports a Philistine raid. Saul then goes to fight the Philistines.

David retreats to En Gedi.

Samuel 24

After dealing with the Philistines, Saul pursues David into the wilderness of En Gedi with 3,000 men.Saul enters a cave to rest, unaware David and his men are hiding there.

David’s men urge him to kill Saul, but David only cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe. David is conscience-stricken and restrains his men, declaring he will not harm “the Lord’s anointed.”

After Saul leaves the cave, David calls out to him respectfully, bowing before him. David shows the piece of Saul’s robe as proof he could have killed him but did not.

Saul weeps and acknowledges David’s righteousness and mercy. He admits that David will one day be king and that his kingdom will be established.

Saul asks David to swear not to cut off his descendants or destroy his family name. David gives his oath, and Saul returns home while David and his men remain in strongholds.

Samuel 25

Samuel died and David arose. David moves to the wilderness of Paran.

We meet Nabal (a wealthy but harsh man) and Abigail (wise and beautiful). David sends men to request provisions from Nabal during sheep-shearing, reminding him of how David’s men had protected his shepherds.

• Nabal (נָבָל, Nāḇāl) literally means “fool”

Nabal insults David, refusing to help. In anger, David prepares 400 men for battle, leaving 200 with supplies.

A servant warns Abigail of Nabal’s foolish response and David’s planned attack. Abigail quickly gathers provisions (bread, wine, sheep, grain, raisins, figs) and sets out to meet David.

Abigail pleads with David not to shed blood or take vengeance into his own hands, reminding him of God’s future promises.

David blesses Abigail and acknowledges that her intervention kept him from bloodshed and sin.

Abigail tells Nabal what happened after he sobers from a feast; his heart fails, and he becomes like stone and dies 10 days later 

David praises the Lord for upholding his cause and preventing him from wrongdoing. David sends for Abigail, and she willingly becomes his wife. He also took Ahinoam of Jezreel to be his wife. 

Michal (Saul’s daughter and David’s first wife) is given to Palti son of Laish.

Questions

How did Saul not know David was there when he cut off his robe?

Why would someone name their kid “fool”?

What in the world did this look like -In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. ³⁸ And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died.

Application
When David was faced with danger at Keilah and later with the threat of Saul, his first instinct was to come before the Lord. He didn’t simply act on fear, impulse, or the advice of others (even though he does at times). David chose to call on God for clarity. The wisest thing we can do is pause and seek God’s direction in whatever we do. We have access through prayer, the Bible and the Holy Spirit to seek God. 

from https://explorethebible.lifeway.com/blog/adults/map-david-flees-from-saul/