Plot Twist: Trusting God's Guidance
1 Samuel 23
Jay Haugh
Part of Sunday Notes

Plot Twist: Trusting God’s Guidance
1 Samuel 23
August 13, 2023
Jay Haugh


Lying may have immediate results that are successful, but it always backfires.

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” —1 Samuel 23:1 ESV


In difficult circumstances, David seeks God’s guidance.

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 than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” —1 Samuel 23:2-3 ESV


David seeks God’s guidance again.

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 23:4 ESV

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 23:5 ESV

When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand. Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. —1 Samuel 23:6-8 ESV

Come kill the one who has delivered you from the strongman Goliath.

David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account.” —1 Samuel 23:9-10 ESV


“Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” —1 Samuel 23:11-12 ESV

God also knows what “could be” even though it doesn’t come about.

David is learning to trust the knowledge and guidance of God.

David understands he has a lantern for the darkness.


God puts us in situations and circumstances where we have to trust Him.

Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. —1 Samuel 23:13 ESV

David wants comfort and security. God wants David to trust Him.

David has to go to God every day for guidance.

And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. —1 Samuel 23:14 ESV

God has given him a promise and priest, and David needs to trust Him every day!

And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. —1 Samuel 23:14 ESV


And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. —1 Samuel 23:16 ESV

God can blind the eyes on one and give a “fast pass” to another.

And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. —1 Samuel 23:17-18 ESV


Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds… Now come down, O king, according to all your heart’s desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king’s hand.” —1 Samuel 23:19-20 ESV

They are not willing to die and lose their lives for their true king.

And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me. Go, make yet more sure. Know and see the place where his foot is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he is very cunning.” —1 Samuel 23:21-22 ESV

Saul isn’t unlucky in finding David. Saul can’t find David because God is protecting David.

“See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then 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 23:23 ESV

And they arose and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon… And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after 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. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” —1 Samuel 23:24-27 ESV


God uses the Philistines to interrupt Saul’s pursuit.

God can use anybody and anything.


“With God, a spider’s web is as a wall.
Without God, a wall is as a spider’s web.”

So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. —1 Samuel 23:28 ESV

And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi. —1 Samuel 23:29 ESV

BIG IDEA:

God puts us in difficult situations and seasons so that we trust His guidance.


SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 5:5b-6 NIV
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.


The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word with the goal of leading to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.


Read 1 Samuel 23
We see numerous times that David’s habit before making a decision is to consult the Lord. In difficult circumstances, where do you turn for guidance and wisdom? Why have you selected that as your primary means of direction? If not the Lord, what is keeping Him from being your first choice?

Have you ever put your trust in your strength like Samson, your power like Saul, or your knowledge like Ahithophel? Do you find that you rely more on your own giftings or skills in big things, small things, or all things? When you consistently lean on these things instead of receiving direction from the Lord, how does this impact your daily walk with God?

After we have sought the Lord for wisdom or guidance, how can we expect to hear from Him? Does the Lord still speak directly to His people? What are some other ways the Lord actively speaks to us today? How is discernment needed when listening to the Lord’s voice?

David’s men are afraid to go where God is calling them. Have you ever been afraid to follow the Lord’s direction? What caused you to be fearful or resistant to follow? Reflect for a moment on the fear of following where the Lord is leading. What does this reveal about what is in your heart?

Saul asserts that God is doing things on his behalf, revealing that he believes that God is on his side. Where do we see wicked people in our culture using religion as a means of manipulation, self-justification, or influence? These poor examples of what it means to be a follower of Christ are elevated and can become the unbeliever’s perspective of what it looks like to be a Christian. Is there anything we can do to separate ourselves and prevent being painted with the same brush?

Jonathan serves as an encourager to David and strengthens him. To whom have you been a Jonathan, and who has been a Jonathan to you? Share an experience where someone’s words of encouragement helped you during a difficult time. How can we be intentional about offering support and encouragement found in God and His Word?

David’s life and the lives of his followers were in danger as Saul pursued him. Saul was close to capturing David when he was called away because of a Philistine raid. Why is Saul never successful in capturing David? Share an instance from your life when you’ve experienced God’s protection or deliverance. Has God’s previous provision in your life helped you become more trusting and expectant that He will act in similar ways again?
Why or why not?

Engedi is an oasis in an otherwise barren landscape where David and his followers flee to. Do you feel like you are in a metaphorical wilderness? Do you feel anxious about something? Can you also identify a place of refuge like Engedi that God has provided?