October 20, 2024 Service
1 Samuel 23 (Read the entire passage)
(23:1-14) 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.” 5 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.
6 When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand. 7 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.” 8 And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10 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. 11 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.” 12 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.” 13 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. 14 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.
David is in Hereth. Saul is still in pursuit of David, but David is not running. When David hears that the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, He inquires of the Lord as to do. God speaks to David telling him to go and attack the Philistines and he obeys the Lord. His men sow some doubt out of their fear so David inquires of the Lord again and the Lord answers him and says go. We see a consistent pattern of David in chapter 23, David seeking the Lord.
Saul has clearly demonstrated over and again that his assurance is sought in man. David is establishing that his assurance is sought in the Lord. Throughout God’s written Word we are instructed to seek the Lord and put our trust in Him. David is helping us see how God responds to those who place their faith, hope, and trust in Him and not the world or man.
Pastor Jacob helped us to see 3 key points.
David depends on the LORD. This is demonstrated in his repeated inquiring of the Lord and obeying the Lord’s word to him.
David is a foreshadowing of Jesus, a picture of what the Messiah will be like. Jesus fully depended on his Father, inquiring and obeying what the Father’s will was, what God wanted him to do, to the point of death.
Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. We are to inquire of the Lord through the Holy Spirit that resides within us. The Holy Spirit’s role is to reveal truth, provide guidance, bring about our sanctification and to comfort.
What does our inquiring actually look like? How do we do this?
It is our humble posture of prayer, asking God what He wants with any thing before us. Waiting and listening for His word spoken to us regarding what we have brought before Him. It is considering the heart of God, the ways of God, and what the Word of God says.
Reflection
What is something you are currently needing to hear from God about?
Have you been seeking direction from man, the world, or cultural norms? If so, confess this to the Lord and then turn to Him.
Concerning what you have named before the Lord, what you are inquiring of Him about.
a. What do you know the heart of God to be?
b. What do you know about the ways of God’s kingdom to be?
c. What does the Word of God have to say about it?
d. What godly counsel have you received from others who walk closely with God?
3. Is there a clear answer from the Lord as you consider these that you can act on in faith?
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Grace and peace on this journey together,
Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor
COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.
Read 1 Samuel 23:1-14. What stands out to you? What comforts you? Confuses you?
What do you think about David consulting a seer? Does this make you think any differently about prophetic powers or potential overlap between spiritual forces other than Yahweh?
Have you ever clearly heard the Lord, but then had what was previously clear get fuzzy or confusing? How did you handle it in your past? How does this passage speak to your future?
What makes Jonathan’s encouragement role so powerful in your opinion? How have you benefitted from a Jonathan in your life? How could you be a Jonathan this week?
It’s tempting to speak before thinking, to leap before looking. David stops and inquires of the Lord (several times). When do you inquire of the Lord? How does it look when you do it? Share how He has answered you in the past.
Pray together.