1 Samuel 23
2 Samuel 23 consists of an account of David’s final words and his mighty men. This chapter briefly summarizes a poem containing David’s confession of faith (verses 1–7) and the names and accomplishments of the commanders who devoted themselves beside David for Israel (verses 8–39). The overall context emphasizes David’s faith tradition, the loyalty and unity of the community built through him, and God’s grace.
1verseDavid was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.”
2verseTherefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” The LORD said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
3verseDavid’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”
4verseThen David inquired of the LORD yet again. The LORD answered him, and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
5verseDavid and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6verseWhen Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7verseSaul was told that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.”
8verseSaul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
9verseDavid knew that Saul was devising mischief against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
10verseThen David said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake.
11verseWill the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? LORD, the God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant.” The LORD said, “He will come down.”
12verseThen David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The LORD said, “They will deliver you up.”
13verseThen David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah and went wherever they could go. Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there.
14verseDavid stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand.
15verseDavid saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the woods.
16verseJonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David into the woods, and strengthened his hand in God.
17verseHe said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for the hand of Saul my father won’t find you; and you will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.”
18verseThey both made a covenant before the LORD. Then David stayed in the woods and Jonathan went to his house.
19verseThen the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?
20verseNow therefore, O king, come down. According to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part will be to deliver him up into the king’s hand.”
21verseSaul said, “You are blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me.
22versePlease go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he is very cunning.
23verseSee therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself; and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”
24verseThey arose, and went to Ziph before Saul; but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert.
25verseSaul and his men went to seek him. When David was told, he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard that, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.
26verseSaul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David hurried to get away for fear of Saul, for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them.
27verseBut a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land!”
28verseSo Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.
29verseDavid went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.
Structure and Flow
- David’s final words(verses 1–7): This part is like David’s spiritual last will and testament at the end of his life. He confesses that God chose him, the grace that established him as king of Israel, and his calling as a shepherd. It also shows his trust in God’s covenant and justice.
- David’s mighty men(verses 8–39): Here, 37 commanders who accomplished outstanding feats of valor are introduced. Along with each name, the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty to David that they demonstrated are described briefly. This serves as an important “hero list” in Israel’s history and suggests the importance of cooperation between the king and the people.
Message and Significance
First, this chapter looks back on David’s life and faith, teaching that true leadership is grounded in God’s choice, covenant, and righteous conduct. At the same time, it shows that even if there is a person who appears exceptional, complete leadership was possible because others devoted themselves alongside him. In the sections that record the names of ordinary people and mighty men one by one, we can glimpse the unity and importance of the entire community.
Points for Reflection
- A confession of faith before God’s covenant: We can think about what kind of effect it has on us to remember God’s faithfulness at life’s important moments, just as David did.
- The role of the community: Remembering that behind the success of one person there are many partners who sweat and shed tears alongside them, and checking whether I, too, can become a dependable companion to someone else.
Applying It to Me
- How important are “covenant” and “trust” in my life?
- I can also review how, in my home, workplace, and community, I stand in unity with others and build them up together.
- From a broad perspective, I can commit myself to an attitude of truly devoting myself even when my name is not left behind.
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