I love the contrast in 1 Samuel 23 between David and Saul because it shows us the difference between a heart trusting God and one that seeks its own will. David and his men, all 600 of them, are on the run from Saul. Yet, even when David is told that the town of Keilah is being attacked by the Philistines, he turns to God for His help and His will for David. His men question that knowing Saul is after them so David asks God again v. 1-6. With God’s help David saved the people of Keilah. He asked God and He asked God again as he needed clarity.

Yet Saul, hearing that David is in Keilah, assumes he is there because God has delivered David to him. He never inquires of God because Saul wants what Saul wants and that is to kill David. David again inquires of God and God tells him the people of Keilah will deliver him to Saul even though he and his men saved them, so David leaves. 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. v. 14.

That had to frustrate Saul. Do you think David found peace because he trusted God to lead him?

Sometimes when reading Scripture verses I find peace that points me to God. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13. Can you imagine that time? In drawing near to God I’m learning to look to Him for understanding. His ways are not our ways as Saul found out to his own hurt. One day Saul will understand what David was learning in this life. In a time when righteousness dwells we will all of us grow in understanding with God teaching and leading us. God speed that day! And help us to learn today as You will, Lord.