04.17.2016 Old Testament: 1Sa 23.1–2

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 22–24 on April 17, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Saul pursued David to kill him, even killing anyone whom Saul perceived as not supporting his effort to rid the Earth of David. Even so, David never lost his loyalty to the people of God, for while David hid for his life, he heard of an attack on an Israelite town and sought to do something about it,

Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah” (1 Samuel 23.1–2).

David could have argued that he had enough of his own troubles without looking to fight the Philistines, and if he had made that argument, who could have disagreed with him? Nevertheless, when he heard that the uncircumcised Philistines attacked a town of Israelites, he wanted to do something about it, but he also sought the Lord’s will in the matter.

Questions:

• Where does the church rank in your thinking?
• Do you always remember the state of the church regardless of your present state?