which none but the Lord himself could duly appreciate. The odor of such a sacrifice was far too fragrant for him to interrupt it in its ascent to the throne of the God of Israel. Wherefore he very properly and very graciously allows it to pass him by, in order that it might go up to the one who alone was worthy to receive it. or able to appreciate it. All this reminds us forcibly of that beautiful compendium of Christian devotedness set forth in Philippians 2 verses 17 and 18. Yea, and if I be poured out upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. for this cause ye also joy and rejoice with me." In this passage, the Apostle represents the Philippian saints in their character as priests, presenting a sacrifice and performing a priestly ministration to God, and such was the intensity of his self-forgetting devotedness that he could rejoice in his being poured out as a drink offering upon their sacrifice, so that all might ascend in fragrant odor to God." Some commentators have denied that this touching episode occurred during that section of David's history which we are now considering, placing it at a much later date. These men failed to see that 1st Chronicles 11.15 and 2nd Samuel 23 recounts things out of their chronological order. If the hearer turned back to 1st Samuel 17.1 and 19.8 and so forth, he would see that the Philistines were quite active in making raids upon Israel at this time. and that David, not Saul, was the principal one to withstand them. But now he was no longer in the position to engage them. Saul, as we shall see in a moment, had dropped all other concerns and was confining his whole attention to the capture of David. Thus the door was then wide open for the Philistines to continue their depredations. Finally, be it said, all that is recorded after David came to the throne makes it altogether unlikely that the Philistines were then encamped around Bethlehem, still less that the king should seek refuge in the cave of Adalom. And David went hence to Mizpeth of Moab. And he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth and be with you till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. We are convinced that what has been before us supplies the key to that which is here recorded. In chapter 22 verse 1 we learn that all his family had come to David in the cave. From chapter 16 verse 1 we learn that their home was in Bethlehem, but the Philistines were now encamped there. 2 Samuel 23 verse 14 so they could not return further. David did not wish his parents to share the hardships involved by his wanderings, and so now he thoughtfully seeks an asylum for them. Blessed is it to see him in the midst of his sore trials honoring his father and his mother. Beautifully did this foreshadow what is recorded in John 19. verses 26 and 27. While Saul was so bitterly opposed to David, there was no safety for his parents anywhere in the land of Israel. The deep exercises and anguish of David's heart at this time are vividly expressed in Psalm 142, the title of which reads, a prayer, for he was in the cave, I cried unto the Lord with my voice. With my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him. I showed before Him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked hath they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand and beheld But there was no man that would know me. Refuge failed me. No man cared for my soul. I cried unto Thee, O Lord. I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I. bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. The righteous shall compass me about, for thou shalt deal bountifully with me." Blessed is it to mark the note of confidence in God in the closing verse. And David went then to Mizpah of Moab, and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth and be with you. What was it induced David to trust his parents unto the protection of the Moabites? We quote in part from the answer given by J.J. Blount in his very striking book, Undesigned Coincidences in the Old and New Testament, Saul, it is true, had been at war with them, whatever he might then be, but so had he been with every people round about, with the Ammonites, with the Edomites, with the kings of Zobah. Neither did it follow that the enemies of Saul, as a matter of course, would be the friends of David. On the contrary, He was only regarded by the ancient inhabitants of the land, to whichever of the local nations they belonged, as the champion of Israel. And with such suspicion was he received amongst them, notwithstanding Saul's known enmity toward him, that before Achish, king of Gad, he was constrained to feign himself mad and self-effect his escape. Now what principle of preference may be imagined to have governed David when he committed his family to the dangerous keeping of the Moabites? Was it a mere matter of chance? It might seem so, as far as appears to the contrary in David's history given in the books of Samuel, and if the book of Ruth had never come down to us to accident it probably would have been ascribed. But this short and beautiful historical document shows us a propriety in the selection of Moab above any other for a place of refuge to the father and mother of David. Since it is there seen that the grandmother of Jesse, David's father, was actually a Moabitess, Ruth being the mother of Obed, and Obed the father of Jesse. And, moreover, that Orpah, the other Moabites who married Malon, at the time when Ruth married Killian, his brother, remained behind in Moab after the departure of Naomi and Ruth, and remained behind with a strong feeling of affection, nevertheless for the family and kindred of her deceased husband, taking leave of them with tears. She herself, then, or, at all events, her descendants and friends, might still be alive. Some regard for the posterity of Ruth, David would persuade himself, might still survive amongst them. Thus do we detect, not without some pains, a certain fitness in the conduct of David in this transaction which makes it to be a real one. A forger of a story could not have fallen upon the happy device of sheltering Jesse and Moab simply on the recollecting of his Moabitish extraction two generations earlier, or having fallen upon it It is probable he would have taken care to draw the attention of his readers towards his device by some means or other, lest the evidence it was intended to afford of the truth of the history might be thrown away upon them. As it is, the circumstance itself is asserted without the smallest attempt to explain or account for it. Nay, recourse must be had to another book of Scripture, in order that the coincidence may be seen." Under the King of Moab, David said, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth and be with you till I know what God will do for me. Slowly but surely Our patriarch was learning to acquiesce in the appointments of God. Practical subjection unto the Lord is only learned in the school of experience. The theory of it may be gathered from books, but the actuality has to be hammered out on the anvil of our hearts. Of our glorious head it is declared Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. Hebrews 5 This word of David's also indicates that he was beginning to feel the need of waiting upon God for directions how much sorrow and suffering would be avoided. Did we always do so? His, what God will do for me rather than with me, indicated a hope in the Lord. And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold, depart and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed and came into the forest of Herod. Verse 5 In the light of this verse and together with chapter 22 verse 23, we may see that the excellent of the earth, psalm 16 verse 3, were more and more gathering to him who was a type of Christ in his rejection. Here we see the prophet of God with him and shortly afterwards he was joined by the high Solemn is it to contrast the apostate Saul who is now deserted by both. David had been humbled before God and he now speaks again to him not directly but immediately. Two reasons may be suggested for this. David was not yet fully restored to divine communion. and God was honoring his own institutions, the prophetic office. Compare chapter 23 verses 9 to 11. And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hole, depart and get thee into the land of Judah. It is quite clear from the language of this verse that at the time God now spoke to his servant through the prophet he had not returned to the cave of Adon but had sought temporary refuge in some stronghold of Moab now he received a call which presented a real test to his faith to appear more openly in his own country would evidence the innocency of his cause as well as display his confidence in the Lord. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Psalm 37 verse 23. Yet the path he appoints is not the one which is smoothest to the flesh. But when God calls, we must respond. and leave the issue entirely in his hands. When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand and all his servants standing about him. Then Saul said unto his servants and so forth, Here the Spirit takes up again another leading thread around which the history of 1 Samuel is woven. Having traced the movements of David since the leaving of his home, chapter 19 verses 11 and 12 up to the cave of Adon, and his now receiving orders to return to the land of Judea, he follows again the evil history of Saul. The king had apparently set aside everything else and was devoting himself entirely to the capture of David. He had taken up his headquarters at Gebeah. The spear in his hand showed plainly his bloodthirsty intentions. The news of David's return to Judea soon reached the ears of Saul and The fact that he was accompanied by a considerable number of men probably alarmed him not a little, fearful that the people would turn to his rival and that he would lose his throne. His character was revealed again by the words which he now addressed to his servants, verse 7, who were, for the most part, selected from his own tribe, He appealed not to the honor and glory of Jehovah, but to their cupidity. David belonged to Judah, and if he became king, then those who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin must not expect to receive favors at his hands, neither rewards of land nor positions of prominence in the army. All of you have conspired against me, and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a deed with the son of Jesse. And there is none of you that is sorry for me, or showeth unto me, that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, till I am weaned, as at this day. He saw charges his followers with having failed to reveal to him that which he supposed they knew, and of showing no concern for the circumstance in which he was then placed. This he construed as a conspiracy against him. His was the language of ungovernable rage and jealousy. His son is charged as being ringleader of the conspirators merely because he would not assist in the murder of an excellent man whom he loved. True, there was a covenant of friendship between Jonathan and David, but no plot to destroy Saul as he wily imagined. But it is the nature of an evil person to regard as enemy. those who are not prepared to tow thee to him or her in everything. It was in response to Saul's bitter words to his men that Doeg the Edomite made known David's secret visit to Ahimelech and his obtaining vittles and the sword of Goliath. Nothing was mentioned of the high priest being imposed upon, but the impression was left that he joined with David in a conspiracy against Saul. Let us learn from this that we may bear false witness against our neighbor as really and disastrously by maliciously withholding part of the truth as by deliberately inventing a lie. When called upon to express our opinion of another, which should generally be declined unless some good purpose is to be served thereby, honesty requires that we impartially recount what is in his favor as well as what makes against him. Note how in his addresses to the seven churches in Asia, the Lord commended the good as well as rebuked that which was evil. A terrible sequel is recorded in verses 11 to 19. Ahimelech and all his subordinate priests were promptly summoned unto the king's presence. Though he was by rank the second person in Israel, saw contemptuously called the high priest the son of a hytub. 12. Quietly ignoring the insult, Ahimelech addressed the king as My Lord, thus giving honor to whom honor was due. The occupant of any office which God has appointed is to be honored. no matter how unworthy of respect the man may be personally. Next, the king charged the high priest with rebellion and treason. Verse 13. Ahimelech gave a faithful and ungarnished account of his transaction with David. Verses 14 and 15. But nothing could satisfy the incensed king but death. and orders were given for the whole priestly family to be butchered. One of the sons of a Himalaya named Abiathar escaped. Probably he had been left by his father to take care of the tabernacle and its holy things, while he and the rest of the priests went to appear before Saul. Having heard of their bloody execution and Before the murderers arrived at Nod to complete their vile work of destroying the wives, children and flocks of the priests, he fled, taking with him the Ephod and the Urim and Thummim, and joined David. It was then that David wrote the 52nd Psalm. Three things may be observed in connection with this tragedy. First, the solemn sentence which God had pronounced against the house of Eli was now executed. Chapter 2 verses 31 and 36, 3 verses 12 and 14, Thus the iniquities of the fathers were visited upon the children. Second, Saul was manifestly forsaken of God. given up to Satan and his own malignant fashions, and was fast ripening for judgment. Third, by this cruel carnage, David obtained the presence of the high priest, who afterwards proved a great comfort and blessing to him. Thus did God make the wrath of man to praise Him and work together for good unto His own. Chapter 12 HIS DELIVERING OF KEILAH 1 Samuel 23 The first section of 1 Samuel 23 which we are now to look at presents some striking contrasts. In it are recorded incidents exceedingly blessing, others fearfully sad. David is seen at his best, Saul at his worst. David humbly waits on the ward, Saul presumes upon and seeks to pervert his providences. Saul is indifferent to the well-being of his own subjects. David delivers them from their enemies. David, at imminent risk, rescues the town of Keilah from the marauding Philistines. Yet so lacking are they in gratitude that they were ready to hand him over unto the man who sought his life. Though the priests of the Lord with their entire families had been brutally slain by Saul's orders, yet the awful malice of the king was not thereby appeased. He is now seen again seeking the life of David, and that at the very time when he had so unselfishly wrought good for the nation. It is instructive and helpful to keep in mind the order of what has been before us in previous chapters, so that we may perceive one of the important spiritual lessons in what is now to be before us. David had failed, failed sadly. We all do, but David had done what many are painfully slow in doing. He had humbled himself before the Lord He had repented of and confessed his sins. In our last chapter we saw how that David had been restored, in considerable measure at least, to communion with the Lord. God had spoken to him through his prophet. Light was now granted again on his path. The word was given him to return to the land of Judah. chapter 22 verse 5. That word he had heeded, and now we are to see how the Lord used him again. Strikingly does this illustrate 1 Peter 5 verse 6, Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Then they told David, Behold The Philistines fight against Keilah and they rob the threshing floors. Here we may see another reason, more than those suggested at the close of our last chapter, why God had called David to return to the land of Judah. He had further work for him to do there. Kielah was within the borders of that tribe, Joshua 15 verses 21 and 44. It was a fortified town, verse 7, and the Philistines had laid siege to it. The threshing floors, which were usually situated outside the cities, Judges 6 verse 11 and Ruth 3 verses 2 and 15, were already being pilfered by them. Who it was that acquainted David with these tidings we know not. Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? 2. Very blessed is this, and further evidence does it supply of David's spiritual recovery. Saul was neglecting the public safety, but the one whom he was hounding was concerned for it. Though he had been ill-treated, David was not sulking over his wrongs, but instead was ready to return good for evil by coming to the assistance of one of the king's besieged towns. What a noble spirit did he here manifest! Though his hands were full in seeking to hide from Saul and provide for the needs of his 600 men, no small task, yet David unselfishly thought of the welfare of others. Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? This is very beautiful. Having been anointed unto the throne, David considered himself the protector of Israel and was ready to employ his men for the public wheel. He had an intense love for his country and was desirous of freeing it from its enemies, yet he would not act without first seeking counsel of the Lord. He desired that God should appoint his service The more particularly we seek direction from God in fervent prayer, and the more carefully we consult the sacred scriptures for the knowledge of His will, the more He is honored and the more we are benefited. And the Lord said unto David, Go, smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. where God is truly sought, that is, sought sincerely, humbly, trustfully, with the desire to learn and do that which is pleasing to Him, the soul will not be left in ignorance. God does not mock His needy children. His Word declares, In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3 verse 6, so it was here. The Lord responded to David's inquiry, possibly through the prophet Gad, and not only revealed his will, but gave promise that he should be successful. And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah, How much more than if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? This presented a real test to David's confidence in the Lord, for if his men were unwilling to accompany him, how could he expect to relieve the besieged town? His men were obviously afraid of being caught between two fires. were they to advance upon the Philistines and Saul's army should follow them up in the rear, then where would they be? Ah, their eyes were not upon the living God, but upon their difficult circumstances, and to be occupied with these is always discouraging to the heart. But how often has a man of God, when facing a trying situation, found the unbelief of his professed friends and followers a real hindrance? Yet he should regard this as a test and not as an obstacle. Instead of paralyzing action, It ought to drive him to seek succor from Him who never fails those who truly count upon His aid. Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. Verse 4. This is very precious. David did not allow the unbelieving fears of his men to drive him to despair. He could hardly expect them to walk by his faith. But he knew that when God works, he works at both ends of the line. He who had given him orders to go to the relief of Keilah could easily quieten the hearts of his followers, remove their fears and make them willing to follow his lead. Yes, with God all things are possible. But he requires to be inquired of Ezekiel 36 verse 37, he delights to be proved. Malachi 3 verse 10, oft he permits just such a trial as now faced David in order to teach us more fully his sufficiency for every emergency. Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. Yes, this is blessed indeed. David did not storm at his men and denounce them as cowards. That had done no good, nor did he argue and attempt to reason with them. Disdaining his own wisdom, feeling his utter dependency upon God and, more especially, for their benefit, To set before them a godly example, he turned once more unto Jehovah. Let us learn from this incident that the most effectual way of answering the unbelieving objections of faint-hearted followers and of securing their cooperation is to refer them unto the promises and precepts of God and set before them an example of complete dependency upon Him and of implicit confidence in Him. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. Verse 4 How sure is the fulfillment of that promise them that honour me, I will honour." We always lose by acting independently of God, but we never lose by seeking counsel, guidance, and grace from Him. God did not ignore David's inquiry. He was not displeased by his asking a second time. How gracious and patient he is. He not only responded to David's petition, but he gave an answer more explicit than at the first, for he now assured his servant of entire victory. May this encourage many a hearer to come unto God with every difficulty, cast every care upon Him, and count upon his succor every hour. So David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their cattle and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. Verse 5 Animated by a commission and promise from God David and his men moved forward and attacked the Philistines. Not only did they completely rout the enemy, but they captured their cattle, which supplied food for David's men that they were probably in much need of. How this furnishes an illustration of him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3 verse 20 God not only overthrew the Philistines and delivered Keilah, but as well bountifully provided David's army with a supply of rittles. And it came to pass when Abiathar the son of Himelech fled to David to Keilah that he came down with an ephod in his hand, verse 6. This was a further reward from the Lord unto David for obeying his word. As we shall see later, the presence of the high priest and his ephod with him stood David in good stead in the future. We may also see here a striking example of the absolute control of God over all his creatures. It was David's visit to a Himalaya that had resulted in the slaying of all his family. Well then, might the only son left feel that the son of Jesse was the last man whose fortunes he desired to share? And it was told Saul that David was come to Key Isla. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. Verse 7 Surely David's signal victory over the common enemy should have reconciled Saul to it. Was it not abundantly clear that God was with him, and if he were with him, who could be against him. But one who is abandoned by the Lord can neither discern spiritual things nor judge righteously, and therefore his conduct will be all wrong too. Accordingly, we find that instead of thinking how he might most suitably reward David for his courageous and unselfish generosity, Saul desired only to do him mischief. Well might our patriarch write, they regarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. Psalm 35 verse 12. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that hath gates and bars. How easy it is for a jaundiced mind to view things in a false light. When the heart is wrong, the providences of God are certain to be misinterpreted. Terrible is it to behold the apostate king here concluding that God himself had now sold David into his hands. That man has sunk to a fearful death. who blatantly assumes that the Almighty is working to further his wicked plans. While David was at large hiding in caves and sheltering in the woods, he was hard to find. But here in a walled town, Saul supposed he would be completely trapped when his army surrounded it. And Saul called all the people together to war. to go down to Key Island to besiege David and his men. 8 If we omit the last clause and read on through the next verse, it will be seen that the unscrupulous Saul resorted to a dishonest ruse. 9 To make war against the Philistines was the ostensible object which the king set before his men. To capture David was his real design. The last clause of verse eight states Saul's secret motive. While pretending to oppose the common enemy, he was intending to destroy his best friend. Verily, the devil was his father, and the lusts of his father he would do. And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. Verse 9. Yes, the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. Psalm 25 verse 14. Ah, but only with them that truly fear him. If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not." John 11 verse 9. He that followeth me, said Christ, shall not walk in darkness. John 8 verse 12. Oh, what a blessed thing it is, dear hearer, to have light upon our path, to see the enemy's snares and pitfalls. But in order to this there must be a walking with Him who is the light. If we are out of communion with the Lord, if we have for the moment turned aside from the path of His commandments, then we can no longer perceive the dangers which menace us. And David knew that Saul secretly practiced mischief against him. This is very blessed and recorded for our instruction. We ought not to be ignorant of Satan's devices. 2 Corinthians 2 verse 11, Nor shall we be, if our hearts are right with God. Observe carefully that this ninth verse opens with the word and, which announces the fact that It is connected with and gives the sequel to what has gone before and what had preceded in this case. First, David had sought counsel of the Lord, verse 2. Second, he had refused to be turned aside from the path of duty by the unbelieving fears of his followers, verse 3. Third, he had maintained an attitude of complete dependency upon the Lord. Verse 4. Fourth, he had definitely obeyed the Lord. Verse 5. And now, God rewarded him by acquainting him with the enemy's designs upon him. Meet the conditions, my brother or sister, and you too shall know when the devil is about to attack you. David was not deceived by Saul's guile. He knew that though he had given out to his men one thing, yet in his heart he purposed quite another. Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. This too is very blessing. Once more David turns to the living God and casts all his care upon Him. 1 Peter 5 verse 7. Observe well his words. He does not say, Saul purposeth to slay me, but he seeketh to destroy the city for my sake, on my account. Is it not lovely to see him more solicitous about the welfare of others than the preserving of his own life? Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hands? Will Saul come down as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant." And the Lord said, He will come down. It is to be noted that the two questions here asked by David were not orderly put, showing the perturbed state of mind he was then in. We should also observe the manner in which David addressed God. This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available, free and for sale, in audio, video, and printed formats. Our many free resources, as well as our complete mail-order catalog, containing thousands of classic and contemporary Puritan and Reform books, tapes, and videos at great discounts, is on the web at www.swrb.com. We can also be reached by email at swrb.com, by phone at 780-450-3730, by fax at 780-468-1096, or by mail at 4710-37A Edmonton, that's E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N, Alberta, abbreviated capital A, capital B, Canada, T6L3T5. You may also request a free printed catalog. And remember that John Kelvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart. From his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since He condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to His commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying His word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words, then, are very important, when he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.