Did David continually ask God for guidance? As a result did he escape several potentially deadly situations? Are we people of continual prayer? Let’s look at 1 Samuel 23.
Did David save the city of Keilah? Did he ask God first?
Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” 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.” 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?” 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.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. (1 Samuel 23:1-5 ESV)
What did David do after he heard that Saul was going to attack?
Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, and he brought an ephod with him. When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.” Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” (1 Samuel 23:6-9 HCSB)
Did David continue to seek God’s guidance in making his decisions?
David said, “Lord God of Israel. Your servant has definitely heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah to destroy the town because of me. Will the people of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down just as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please inform your servant.” The Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the people of Keilah hand me over to Saul?” The Lord said, “They’ll hand you over.” David and his men, about 600 strong, got up and left Keilah. They moved around wherever they could go. Saul was advised that David had escaped from Keilah, so he stopped the campaign. (1 Samuel 23:10-13 ISV)
What remarkable loyalty did Jonathan have, even knowing David would be king not him?
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house. (1 Samuel 23:14-18 KJV)
Have we ever heard spiritual sounding talk from those plotting against God’s will?
Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? So now, O king, according to all the desire of your soul to come down, come down here; and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.” And Saul said, “May you be blessed of Yahweh, for you have had compassion on me. Go now, make more sure, and know and see his place—where his very foot is—and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very crafty. So see and know about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.” (1 Samuel 23:19-23 LSB)
How did David get rescued from Saul by news of a Philistine attack?
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. When Saul and his men went to seek him, they informed David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard about it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, while Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to apprehend them. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have launched an attack against the land!” So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division [Parting, Escape]. And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi. (1 Samuel 23:24-29 NASB)
How often should we pray, once, twice, several times a day or continually?
pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV)
Should we pray only about certain specific things but not others?
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
Did David continually ask God for guidance? As a result did he escape several potentially deadly situations? Are we people of continual prayer? You decide!
