It’s Just Not Fair

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. 1 Samuel 23:1-5 ESV

Let’s start with a little background information. At this point in David’s life he is on the run and hiding from King Saul, who is intent on killing him. David has done nothing wrong; Saul is being driven by jealousy. From the time David killed Goliath, through every other military battle he has won while serving King Saul, his popularity has grown. Jealousy is a powerful emotion and Saul has succumbed to it’s lore and is determined to eliminate David so the people will not crown him as the next king. God has already promised David the throne, so he remains faithful and waits on God’s timing, all the while moving from hiding place to hiding place, accompanied by those who had gathered around him. And who might they be? 1 Samuel 22:2 tells us, “Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them.”  From the start, David looked out for the “underdog.” He had a heart for God and a heart for people. It’s no surprise that when David heard about a town in Judah who is in trouble, he wanted to help.  David had an incredible focus on the Lord and was always careful to seek the Lord’s direction before proceeding. He was willing to fight any battle as long as the Lord was with him, so he encouraged his men and defended Keilah.

Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Then David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. 1 Samuel 23:7-13 ESV

If I had been David my frustration level would have been off the charts. He risked his life to defend this city, yet without hesitation they would have turned him over to King Saul. It really doesn’t seem fair! Let’s be honest, none of this was fair. David fought Goliath when no one else had the courage to do so and continued to serve the king faithfully. He should have been a hero but instead he was a fugitive, being hunted daily by a jealous madman.  He had been forced to trade the comfort of his home, his wife and his friends, for a hiding place in the wilderness with a few hundred distressed, discontented men. Yet David kept his focus on God rather than the situation. I can learn a lot from David’s patience and faithfulness! Look at some of the Psalms David wrote while on the run from Saul.