1 Samuel 23:13-14
Verse 14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.
After finding out that the people of Keilah were going to give him over to King Saul if he came looking for him, David knew it was time to get out of the area. So he gathered up him men and they strike out, not yet knowing where they would go. David’s army has grown from 400 men to around 600. It seems that David’s army was growing as fast as Saul’s hate.
It is hard enough to find a good hiding place as an individual and more difficult as a family, but can you imagine trying to hide when you have 600 men to hide as well? They traveled about from place to place knowing that to keep moving would mean they wouldn’t get to comfortable in one place which would lead to lowering their guard. Saul wasn’t allowing himself to be relaxed in this search either. The king gets word that David has escaped and so he doesn’t bother going to Keilah.
Meanwhile David and his men head south into the wilderness. A wilderness may seem like a strange place to hide 600 men. This wilderness has various ravines and caves but that would still be a feat to hide 600 men. They would have been able to see people coming to know if it was someone coming after them and that meant that there were also vulnerable of being seen. But they had plenty of protection because God was watching out for them and they would not be found until He said it was time.
There were other ways that God could have kept David safe. He could have called off the troubling spirit that was causing the king to hate the former shepherd, but He didn’t. The king could have fallen ill or even died, but that isn’t how God was working things out for David. God could have worked things out so that David could sky-rocket to the position of king but God had things for David, his men and even the nation to learn before the anointed one could take over the throne.
There are times like this in our lives too. God guides but part of His preparation for us requires going through things that are hard and maybe even scary. But we can know that He will care and provide for us during that time if we just obey and depend on Him for all we need.
Making It Personal
Have you had a time when you wondered how God was going to get you out of a situation in life? Were you able to see God’s hand working out the details for you? Have you thanked Him?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever had something that you didn’t know how it would turn out? Did Jesus help you? Did you thank Him for helping you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for working in all the details in our lives. Thank You for protecting us in ways we don’t even see are needed. Guide us, Father, so that our life stories will point boldly to You and Your work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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