1 Samuel 23

It should be remembered that David is only in his 20’s during the 9 years of exile forced on him by king Saul. People change a lot and given the right guidance, and the work of the Spirit, believers grow and mature in wisdom and the things of the Lord. David is no exception.

This passage illustrates how David grew over time in his reliance on God’s word in his day-to-day decisions and his desire to help his fellow countrymen. In vv1–12, David prays, seeking God’s word no fewer than four times. And David does not act until he knows the Lord’s will in the matter.

In stark contrast to David’s four prayers, Saul does not pray at all. Rather, he assumes the circumstances that seemed favorable to him were proof or signs of God’s blessing and that he was following God’s leading (1 Samuel 23:7). He had convinced himself that murdering David was God’s will, but God thwarted those evil plans and preserved David’s life. Saul does not seem interested in protecting the people of Keilah from Philistine plundering (as David is), but sees them merely as a tool, a disposable one, to vent his hatred and jealousy against David. Saul shows that he, as king has perverted not only justice, but turned many of the people in Israel away from the perfect Law of God.  But David leaves judgment of Saul to God.