20. David Saves Keilah (1 Samuel 23) Series

David Saves Keilah

August 6, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

1 Samuel 23:1-17

Introduction: Why Suffering?

“Why?” That tiny word rolls off our tongues with tears and trembling. Why the cancer? Why the betrayal? Why the silence of heaven when our world collapses? If you’ve ever whispered it in the dark night of the soul, you’re not alone—and you’re not unbiblical.

The question “why?” is more than an expression of confusion—it’s a scream of moral intuition. We ache because something in us knows: life should not be like this. There should not be so much suffering. It shouldn’t be this unjust, this senseless, this relentless. And yet here we are—stumbling through a world where even the godliest suffer.

We’ve been discipled—often unknowingly—by a secular world that treats suffering as random, power as protection, and morality as subjective. Suffering, we’re told, is just part of the chaos. So we numb it. We distract from it. We idolize control, influence, strength. We chase fitness, wealth, relationships, charisma—believing some form of “power” can insulate us from pain. But it doesn’t. Because it can’t.

Which brings us to David.

In 1 Samuel 23, David is God’s anointed—a type of christ for Israel, the chosen king. And yet, he is hunted, betrayed, wearied, worn. This chapter, like the one before it, drips with danger, disappointment, and divine delays. It’s tempting to ask, “If God loves David so much, why is he suffering so deeply?” That there is the scandal of the gospel.

Jesus said:

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer…?” (Luke 24:26)

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer…” (Luke 24:46)

The disciples didn’t understand it. The Jews rejected it. The Greeks mocked it. But heaven declared it.

And so when we open 1 Samuel 23, we are seeing the foreshadow of the crucified Messiah. David’s caves are Christ’s Gethsemane. His betrayal by the Ziphites echoes Judas’ kiss. His prayers through the ephod mirror Jesus’ sweat-soaked pleas in the garden.

His suffering is not a detour from anointing—it is the path to the throne. And if that’s true of David, how much more of Jesus? And yes, how much more of us.

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” (2 Tim. 3:12)

“For it has been granted to you… not only to believe in him but also to suffer for his sake…” (Phil. 1:29)

We need to look beyond the surface narrative. This study is not just about survival. It’s about sovereignty in the shadows. It’s about trusting God when your enemies are closing in, your friends betray you, and your only hope is that the Rock of Escape still holds. So if you’re suffering, struggling, or just holding on by a thread—this chapter is for you.

I. David saves Keilah from the Philistines

1 Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” 2 Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 4 Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” (1 Samuel 23:1–4)

David is not on the throne—he’s on the run. Yet his heart is still tuned to God’s people. The impulse of the anointed is not self-preservation, but sacrificial protection. Saul was not fulfilling his role as king over Israel. It was Saul’s job to protect Keilah and it was Saul’s job to fight the Philistines, but Saul wasn’t doing his job and the Lord called David to do it.

Like Jesus, David risks his life for people who will later betray him (v.12). This is the pattern of Christ: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8)

This is also an important point in the story because this is the first time we hear of a direct line of communication between the Lord and David. This showed David’s wisdom and godliness.

Most may say, “This isn’t my responsibility, let Saul deal with it.” Others might have immediately said, “Let’s go! I can fix this problem!” Either course was foolish, but David was wise because he inquired of the Lord.

The very notion of David taking this on seems foolish on the surface. First, David was fleeing from Saul. Why draw unnecessary attention to himself by fighting a war? Secondly, David had enough on his hands with Saul. Why add the Philistines to his list of troubles? Third, David has a small group of men who hardly fit the idea of an army