1 Samuel 23

Always on the Run, Never Alone

1 Word came to David: “Listen, the Philistines hitting Keilah, jacking grain straight off the threshing floor.”

2 David asked God, “Should I go fight these dudes?” God said, “Yeah, roll out and save Keilah.”

3 But David’s men were shook. “We already got enemies here in Judah, and now you want to go fight Philistines too,”

4 So David asked God again. God said, “Go. I got you. You will beat the Philistines and save Keilah.”

5 So David and his crew went to Keilah, dropped the Philistines, took their stuff, and saved the city.

Saul Plots Again

6 When Abiathar the priest ran to David, he brought the ephod with him.

7 Saul heard David was in Keilah and said, “Got him! God put him in my hands. That city got gates and walls, he has boxed in.”

8 Saul called up the whole army to go trap David in Keilah.

David Seeks God First

9 David heard Saul was coming. He told Abiathar, “Bring that ephod, I need a word from God.”

10 David prayed, “Lord God, Saul heard I am in Keilah and he is coming for me. Is he really pulling up?”

11 “Will the leaders of Keilah turn me over?” God said, “Yep. Saul is coming.”

12 David asked again, “Will the people of Keilah betray me to Saul?” God said, “They will.”

David Moves Out

13 So David and his crew, now about 600 deep, dipped outta Keilah. They moved from place to place. When Saul heard David left, he did not chase.

14 David camped in the wilderness, in the hill country of Ziph. Saul searched every day, but God kept David hidden.

Jonathan Pulls Up

15 While David was in Horesh in the desert of Ziph, he heard Saul was looking to kill him.

16 Jonathan, Saul’s son, pulled up on David and encouraged him in the Lord.

17 He said, “Do not be scared. My father is not going to touch you. You are going to be king over Israel, and I will be right there with you. Pops know it too.”

18 They made another covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, and David stayed in Horesh.

Ziph Rats Him Out

19 Some folks from Ziph went to Saul and snitched: “David’s hiding in our hills, Horesh, near Hakilah.”

20 “If you come down, we will hand him over to you.”

21 Saul said, “Bless you all. You all showing loyalty to your king.”

22 “Go check where he is hiding. I need precise intel. He slick.”

23 “Scout the area, then come back and let me know. If he is there, I will track him down in Judah myself.”

David Narrowly Escapes

24 They left and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his crew were in the desert of Maon, down in the wilderness.

25 Saul and his men came searching. David heard and dipped to the cliffs. Saul chased him.

26 Saul was on one side of the mountain, David and his guys on the other. They were out here ducking and running hard, Saul was closing in.

27 But right then, a messenger ran up to Saul: “Come quick, the Philistines just attacked the land!”

28 So Saul broke off the chase. That is why they call that place the Rock of Escape.

29 David left there and posted up in the strongholds of En-gedi.