Today I read 1 Samuel 23, in which David goes to Keilah to fight the Philistines but has to leave to avoid Saul. Today I considered that saving someone does not mean they will protect you, and God can hide you or help you avoid your enemies.
Not Trusting the Saved Town
Saving a town even from death and starvation does not mean the town will protect you (1 Samuel 23:1-13). David was told the Philistines were fighting Keilah and stealing their processed grain. David asked God a second time if he should go fight the Philistines, because his men were afraid to go when he told them the first time. Both times God told David to go and God was giving him victory. David saved the people of Keilah. Abiathar came to Keilah with an ephod, and David asked the Lord if Keilah would give him and his men to Saul. They would so David and his 600 men left before Saul got there with an army. Just because you save someone does not mean they will protect you. You may have to leave or prepare to protect yourself.
David Avoided Saul
Saul kept going after David but God would not give him to Saul (1 Samuel 23:14-29). David went from Keilah to Ziph’s wilderness. Jonathan went to David and encouraged him saying Saul would not find him. The Ziphites went to Saul and said they would help him find David. The Ziphites went to find David but David and his men were in Maon’s wilderness. Saul was on one side of the mountain and David on the other side. Saul was told the Philistines invaded and he had to go fight them. David left and went to Engedi. Saul got close to where David was but God kept him far enough away. Saul even had to turn to fighting someone else, the Philistines, instead of pursuing David.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
David saved Keilah from people being wounded, killed, and losing their grain/food. Food processed on the threshing floor could be stored. Stored food mattered because without it people would starve, especially during months when food does not grow like the winter. Could you make it through a winter on the food you have stored at home?
David was hiding with 600 men and Saul was not able to find him because God did not let him. When you are God’s child and following what God would tell you to do, he can keep you safe by hiding you or helping you avoid your enemies. We must remember to pray, trust God, and do what He tells us to do.
Do you know someone who was protected by God helping them hide or avoid an enemy?