# 1 Samuel Chapter 23
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## Summary
David hears that Keilah has been attacked by the Philistines. He enquires of the Lord twice and each time is told that the Philistines will be delivered into his hands. David defeats the Philistines and enters into the Keilah. Saul hears of Davids presence in the City and sets out with an expedition to destroy David. David how escapes and Saul abandons the expedition.

Jonathan provides encouragement to David and makes a covenant with him. Saul is also contact by the Ziphites who inform that David is present among them. Saul asks for them to discover Davids precise location and then leads men to capture David. When Saul and David are on opposite sides of a mountain, and David is attempting to flee, Saul is notified by a messenger that the Philistines are attacking and takes his men off to deal with the new threat. David retrats to En Gedi.

## Meditatio

This passage stands in stark contrast to the previous. David here demonstrates concern for the people of israel, a sense of responsibility and also a devotion to the instruction and direction of the Lord. David hears of the plight of Keilah and rather than leaving the King that has abandoned him to 'fight his own battles' he takes ownership of the situation and resolves to enquire of the Lord himself.

David believes the Lord but his men are afraid so he seeks asurances from the Lord to satisfy his men. Once provided David does precisely what he is instructed to do and attacks the Philistines. In this way the deliverance of the Philistines was both directed and coordinated by the Lord. 

The reason for mentioning the ephod is that this garment that is worn by the high priest in Israel had a pouch that contained the Urim and Thummim which were used for seeking the Lords divine guidance. In this way the people of God would receive divine instruction and direction to actions. Hence the guidence provided by the Lord was done so via the Urim and Thummin.

This passage highlights how, despite Davids anointing by the Lord to the position of 'King', and in spite of all the attempts on his life the Lord was at Work. Saul may have pursued David but it was the Lords hand that preserved him[^1]. Being the hand that instructed him to attack the Philistines, be it the hand that preserved him in the face of threat to his existence.

[^1]: I found [this particular map](http://etb-media.s3.amazonaws.com/explorethebible/files/2016/08/DavidFleesSaul-1.pdf) of Davids flight from Saul helpful.