1 Samuel 23:24-29
Verse 26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them,
As the men of Ziph head off to carry out their mission for the king, Saul gets his men together so that they can start their journey to take out the man that angers the king more than anyone else. Meanwhile David and his men are moving about as they had been. The closer the men of Ziph and Saul get the word comes to David that things are heating up and he starts taking more caution in the movement of his men.
David takes him men to the desert and hides. Saul hears where David had gone he heads there too. Before they know it the two armies are on opposite sides of the mountain, David running for his life and Saul pursuing to kill. As we look at this image we need to pause and take notice of what is happening.
David was a warrior. One of the reasons Saul was jealous of David was because the younger man was known as the better man of war. The women had made songs about Saul killing his thousands and David his ten thousands, Saul knew he was up against a mighty man. And whether he wanted to admit it or not, he knew that God was on David’s side too. But look what the mighty warrior, David, is doing, he isn’t charging forth in battle, he is running. Why would such an amazing warrior run from battle? Because it takes a stronger man to run away when it would mean dishonoring God to engage in the battle.
We learned a few days ago that God had been hiding David from Saul’s view as David and his men hid in the wilderness, but now the king can see the man he hates and he is closing in on him. David knew that although he was anointed as king, God had not removed Saul from the throne, if Saul was to be injured in battle it wouldn’t be at the hand of David and his men. David knew that God had protected him in the past and He would continue protecting His anointed.
God’s protection was shown to David using a familiar foe. The Philistines were a constant threat and so when word came to Saul they were attacking, the king had to leave his personal battle to fight for his nation. He had gotten close but God saves His man in the nick of time.
Making It Personal
When has God seemed to come to the rescue at the last minute in your life? Did you think that He had forgotten you? How can you use the example from your life to show God’s might to others?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever felt like something bad was going to happen and then at the last possible minute something happened to make it better? Who made it better? Is Jesus always there to help you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for always being there to lead, guide and protect us. Give us the wisdom to follow You and trust Your leading in everything. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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