Day 114: David Saves Keilah

Today's readings: 1 Samuel 23 and Psalm 54.

I. 1 Samuel 23 recounts how David heard of the Philistine attack on Keilah, and after seeking God's advice, he rushes to defeat the Philistines and save the city. Next, Abiathar the priest had survived the massacre at Nob and fled to David with the ephod. Saul mistakenly thinks that this meant God would deliver David into his hands. David, meanwhile, consulted God and learned that Saul would indeed come for him and the people of Keilah would betray him by handing him over, so he fled to the wilderness of Ziph before the mad king arrived. Unfortunately for him, the Ziphites betray David by informing Saul of his whereabouts, who then sets off after him. David then fortunately escapes at the last moment to En-Gedi.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

David's action gives us great insight into his heart. He is showing that he is truly a man after God's own heart by appealing to the Lord for direction... God's protection of David in this instance reminds us of all the ways he is working of which we are unaware. Many times difficult things happen to us and those we love, but we do not know how many times the Lord delivered us from harm. In heaven, we will see all the moments that could have been catastrophes but were not, due to God's actions. God remains close to us in his mysterious will. Even when we cannot sense him, his hand is outstretched to us whenever we appeal to him for his guidance and aid. (p. 244)

II. Psalm 54 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm. The speaker is a hunted man fleeing from the evil designs of his enemies. He cries out to God for help, trusts in God's protection, and vows to celebrate his rescue with a sacrifice of thanksgiving. (p. 875)

That's it for today!