23:1 David is informed that the Philistines are attacking the people in Keilah. Typically, it would be David's duty in Saul's army to respond to the situation. Now that he's on the run, he has to decide whether he will rush into the city - placing himself in the open and therefore in danger - or continue to hide.
23:2 Unsure of what to do, David seeks God's counsel. Ultimately, David is willing to place himself in a perilous situation if it means saving the people of Keilah. If God gives the command, and He does, David will go despite the fact that Saul will be able to find him.
23:3-4 The men with David are not as willing to rush into Keilah against the Philistines. Acting as an individual, David readily trusts God's will and does not have trepidation in following it... the same cannot be said for the men with him. Before leading several hundred men into a battle they do not necessarily want to join, David again consults God.
2:5 God understands us. He knows that we often need more encouragement than we should to follow Him, and He therefore provides it. God reaffirms that David should go and rescue Keilah. He also promises the victory to David. We do not have to wonder what our own lives would be like if we had the same assurances from God because we have them. Throughout the Bible, God promises to be our advocate. In Romans 8:31 specifically: If God is for us, who can be against us?
23:6 Abiathar joins David in Keilah to provide additional counsel to David.
23:7-8 Saul discovers that David is in Keilah and is thrilled! Saul cannot believe his luck, he believes that he will finally be able to capture and kill David. David entered the city of Keilah, which is gated. David is essentially trapped - or would be, if he were not aligned with God.
23:9-13 David finds out from God that the people of Keilah will hand him over to Saul. This knowledge allows David to be a step ahead of the circumstances. He now knows that he cannot trust the people to keep his location secret. David and his six hundred men leave Keilah and force Saul to cancel his quest.
23:14-15 Refuge for David becomes the wilderness, places outside of any cities. The wilderness - literal and figurative - has always provided children of God space to contemplate His word and will. Separate from the systems of the world, the haven of nature allows clarity and protection.
23:16 Jonathan meets David in the woods. The fact that Jonathan is able to locate and meet with David evidences that God's protection is a selectively permeable barrier. Evil could not enter or even find David's hideout. But those good intentions and reinforcement could.
23:17-18 It has become apparent to Jonathan that David had been placed in line by God to be king. Even though this means that Jonathan's own father will be dethroned, he remains faithful to God's will. Jonathan ensures that he will remain loyal in his friendship with David, unhindered by his father's own disapproval. Jonathan and David renew their covenant of friendship before God; so much chaos has ensued but these two reaffirm their trust in God and support of each other.
23:19-20 The people of Ziphite report to Saul that David is possibily in their midst.
23:21-23 Notice that Saul uses the right language, "blessed are you of the Lord, for you have compassion on me", but his heart is not in it. It is not authentic. Saul has rejected God but uses sweet terms to ingratiate the people around him. In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan brings Jesus out and offers him the world. Satan uses scripture to do so; he knows it so well he can tweak it and make it inauthentic. Saul uses scripture to praise people to condemn an innocent man.
As children of God, we must not allow evil to inveigle us into doing things against God's word. How do we do that? We ensure that we always do things with righteous intentions rather than selfish motivations. We do not need the praise and compliment of others, if we are humbly serving God, we will are exalted by Him: Matthew 6:3-5.
23:24-26 Saul's vigorous pursuit of David continues to fail by God's arrangement. God is a refuge; the enemy only comes close enough to look foolish. Saul comes physically near to David but because of God's protection, he might as well be in another universe. Saul cannot cross a boundary God has drawn... and neither can any of our enemies.
23:27-29 When a messenger brings news that the Philistines have invaded, Saul is forced to put aside his own personal intentions to defend the kingdom he still commands. This provides David and opportunity to journey further out of Saul's grasp.
