God allows us to be so in our addresses to him: "Lord, direct me in this matter, about which I am now at a loss." He does indeed invert the due order of his queries, but God in his answer puts him into method. His queries upon the case are likewise very particular. His representation of the case is so ( ): "Thy servant has certainly heard on good authority" (for he would not call for the ephod upon every idle rumour) "that Saul has a design upon Keilah " he does not say, "to destroy me," but, "to destroy the city" (as he had lately done the city of Nob) "for my sake." He seems more solicitous for their safety than for his own, and will expose himself any where rather than they shall be brought into trouble by his being among them. Those that address God must know their distance, and who they are speaking to. Twice he calls God the Lord God of Israel, and thrice calls himself his servant. David's address to God upon this occasion is, (1.) Very solemn and reverent. We have the scriptures, those lively oracles, in our hands let us take advice from them in doubtful cases. No sooner is the ephod brought to him than he makes use of it: Bring hither the ephod. He knew by the information bought him that Saul was plotting his ruin ( ) and therefore applied to his great protector for direction. David consulting with God concerning his own preservation. Miserable is that people whose prince is a tyrant, for, while some are sufferers by his tyranny, others (which is worse) are made servants to it and instruments of it. He called all the people together to war, and they must with all speed march to Keilah, pretending to oppose the Philistines, but intending to besiege David and his men, though concealing that design for it is said ( ) that he secretly practised mischief against him. How Saul abused the Israel of God, in making them the servants of his malice against David. We must not think that one smiling providence either justifies an unrighteous cause or secures its success. Therefore David prays ( ), Grant not, O Lord! the desires of the wicked further not his wicked device, lest they exalt themselves. He impiously connects God with his cause, because he thought he had gained one point. He vainly triumphs before the victory, forgetting how often he had had fairer advantages against David than he had now and had yet missed his aim. How Saul abused the God of Israel, in making his providence to patronise and give countenance to his malicious designs, and thence promising himself success in them: God hath delivered him into my hand as if he who was rejected of God were in this instance owned and favoured by him, and David infatuated. Well might David complain of his enemies that they rewarded him evil for good, and that for his love they ere his adversaries. An ungrateful wretch he was, and for ever unworthy to have any service or kindness done him. But, instead of that, he catches at it as an opportunity of doing David a mischief. Saul contriving within himself the destruction of David ( ): He heard that he had come to Keilah and did he not hear what brought him thither? Was it not told him that he had bravely relieved Keilah and delivered it out of the hands of the Philistines? This, one would think, should have put Saul upon considering what honour and dignity should be done to David for this. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah and he forbare to go forth. 13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. 12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the L ORD said, They will deliver thee up. 11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O L ORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. 10 Then said David, O L ORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. 9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. 8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 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. 7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. 1Sa 23:8 | MHC | STEP | David Escapes from Keilah.
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