“Keilah”

 “Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.” (1 Samuel 23:1)

Connection

When David had gone out to battle with Goliath he hadn’t asked God if he should fight Goliath, God led him to fight Goliath.

Samuel was led by God to David. Samuel realizes that David is God’s chosen replacement for king. Samuel followed God’s instructions.

Saul just didn’t deal with God. Saul dealt with himself. His own greed and power lust brought him nothing but fear and paranoia.

Connection to God

David had been seeking the counsel of God through the Priest at Nob. Ahimelech, the High Priest at Nob wanted David out of the Tabernacle. David left quickly.

Ahimelech played the neutral party in the argument between David and Saul. Ahimelech wanted to appease Saul and defend David. Ahimelech should have gone to God for an answer, but he didn’t. All of the priests and people in Nob were killed. Except for one priest who had escaped to join David.

David hid in a cave. His family and supporters joined him in the cave. Now God’s people in Keilah are in dire danger. David has a choice, continue to hide, or save Keilah. David skips priests, and takes the problem directly to God.

“Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:2)

A Model of Christ

The people with David did not want to go. Fear was controlling their thoughts. Just as fear controls us today.

“And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” (1 Samuel 23:3)

David asks God’s instructions again.

“Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” (1 Samuel 23:4)

David and his smaller army goes to Keilah and slaughters the Philistines and saves Keilah.

God saves and does what we see as impossible. David had come from nothing to a cave. With the power of God. With the Faith of God’s promise. David, through God, saves Keilah.

Stay Tuned…