INTRODUCTION: This is a difficult time for David. He is constantly in fear for his life. Yet, he survives by continually seeking God’s will (1 Samuel 23:2Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
See All..., 4, 9-12) and by trusting in the providence of God (1 Samuel 23:27-28 [27] But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. [28] Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
See All...). We must learn to do the same.

1. DAVID RESCUES THE MEN OF KEILAH (1 Samuel 23:1-5 [1] Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. [2] Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. [3] And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? [4] Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. [5] 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.
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1. The Crisis in Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
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1. Keilah: a city of Judah about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem
2. Under attack by the Philistines
3. Losing the fruit of their labor - the threshing floors
2. The Decision to Fight (1 Samuel 23:2-4 [2] Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. [3] And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? [4] Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
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1. David seeks God’s direction (1 Samuel 23:2Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
   See All...).
2. David faces the fear of his own men (1 Samuel 23:3And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
   See All...).
3. David seeks God’s confirmation (1 Samuel 23:4Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
   See All...).
1. The Lord tells him to go.
2. The Lord promises deliverance.
4. NOTE: One of the keys to David’s survival was his faithfulness in seeking God’s guidance (1 Samuel 23:9-12 [9] And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. [10] 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. [11] Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? 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. [12] Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 30:7-8 [7] And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. [8] And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
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3. The Victory over the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:5So 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.
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1. David and his men smite the Philistines.
2. They spoil the Philistines of their cattle.
3. They save the inhabitants of Keilah.
2. DAVID ESCAPES FROM KEILAH (1 Samuel 23:6-13 [6] And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. [7] And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. 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. [8] And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. [9] And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. [10] 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. [11] Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? 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. [12] Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. [13] Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
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1. Saul Comes against David (1 Samuel 23:6-8 [6] And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. [7] And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. 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. [8] And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
   See All...).
1. The ephod of Abiathar (1 Samuel 23:6And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
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1. Brought by Abiathar when he fled from Saul to David (1 Samuel 22:20-23 [20] And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. [21] And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD's priests. [22] And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. [23] Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.
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2. Ephod: a priestly garment that fit around the shoulders. The high priest had a special one (Exodus 28:6-8 [6] And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work. [7] It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together. [8] And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
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1. The two shoulders had two stones with the names of the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:9-12 [9] And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel: [10] Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth. [11] With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold. [12] And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
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2. The breastplate of judgment was attached to the ephod (Exodus 28:13-15 [13] And thou shalt make ouches of gold; [14] And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches. [15] And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
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3. The breastplate had a pouch, within which was placed the Urim and the Thummin (Exodus 28:16Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
   See All..., 28-30).
4. The Urim and Thummin were used to give guidance from the Lord (Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 28:6And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
   See All...; Ezra 2:63And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
   See All...). Although the Urim and Thummin and the way they were used is never described, they are probably the way in which the Israelites often enquired of God (Judges 20:27And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days,
   See All...; 1 Samuel 10:22Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.
   See All...; 2 Samuel 2:1And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.
   See All...; 2 Samuel 5:19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
   See All..., 23; 2 Samuel 21:1Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
   See All...).
2. The plans of Saul (1 Samuel 23:7-8 [7] And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. 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. [8] And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
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1. “God hath delivered him into mine hand” – how quick we are to put God’s stamp of approval on those things which we most desire!
2. David is shut up within city walls (1 Samuel 23:7And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. 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.
   See All...); those city walls would be a tempting source of comfort to David, but God chose to protect him in the wilderness.
3. Saul gathers an army to besiege David (1 Samuel 23:8And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
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2. David Enquires of the Lord (1 Samuel 23:9-12 [9] And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. [10] 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. [11] Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? 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. [12] Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.
   See All...).
1. He sends for the ephod (1 Samuel 23:9And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
   See All...); his heart is to know God’s will (Psalm 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
   See All...; Psalm 143:10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
   See All...).
2. The Lord confirms the coming of Saul (1 Samuel 23:10-11 [10] 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. [11] Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? 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.
   See All...).
3. The Lord reveals the treachery of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:12Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.
   See All...) – David delivered them, but they would turn David over to Saul.
3. David Escapes with His Men (1 Samuel 23:13Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
   See All...).
1. David’s men now number about 600 (see 1 Samuel 22:2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
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2. They depart from Keilah.
3. Saul goes back home.
3. DAVID HIDES IN THE WILDERNESS (1 Samuel 23:14-18 [14] And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. [15] And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. [16] And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. [17] And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. [18] And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
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1. In the Wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14-15 [14] And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. [15] And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
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1. Ziph was a town about 4 miles southeast of Hebron. The wilderness of Ziph would be the area surrounding Ziph.
2. They stay in the strongholds in a mountain in the area (1 Samuel 23:14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
   See All...).
3. Saul continually seeks David (1 Samuel 23:14-15 [14] And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. [15] And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
   See All...).
1. Every day (1 Samuel 23:14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
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2. To seek his life (1 Samuel 23:15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
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4. “But God delivered him not” (1 Samuel 23:14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
   See All...); God is still watching over David.
2. In a Meeting with Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:16-18 [16] And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. [17] And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. [18] And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
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1. The encouragement of Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
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1. He goes to David.
2. He strengthens his hand in God.
3. NOTE: This is the way to help people when they are troubled: 1) go and just be with them; 2) strengthen them in the Lord.
2. The confidence of Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
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1. Fear not.
2. Saul will not find you.
3. You will be king.
4. I will be next to you; in this, Jonathan was wrong, but it shows his willingness to submit to David’s rightful rule.
3. The covenant of Jonathan (1 Samuel 23:18And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 20:8Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
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4. DAVID ESCAPES CERTAIN DEATH (1 Samuel 23:19-29 [19] Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? [20] Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand. [21] And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. [22] Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. [23] See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. [24] And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. [25] Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. [26] And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. [27] But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. [28] Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. [29] And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
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1. The Offer of the Ziphites (1 Samuel 23:19-20 [19] Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? [20] Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
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1. They reveal David’s location (1 Samuel 23:19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
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2. They offer to deliver him to Saul (1 Samuel 23:20Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
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3. Psalm 54 was written on the occasion of this betrayal – see the title.
2. The Instructions of Saul (1 Samuel 23:21-23 [21] And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. [22] Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. [23] See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
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1. He blesses them for their compassion (1 Samuel 23:21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
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2. He warns them of David’s subtlety (1 Samuel 23:22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
   See All...); as if it were David’s cunning and not God’s protection that has delivered David.
3. He promises to come and find David (1 Samuel 23:23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
   See All...).
3. The Surrounding of David (1 Samuel 23:24-26 [24] And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. [25] Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. [26] And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
   See All...)
1. Saul comes to Ziph (1 Samuel 23:24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
   See All...).
2. David is in Maon (1 Samuel 23:24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
   See All...).
3. Saul pursues to Maon (1 Samuel 23:25Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
   See All...).
4. Saul traps David between two portions of his army (1 Samuel 23:26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
   See All...).
4. The Deliverance of David (1 Samuel 23:27-29 [27] But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. [28] Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. [29] And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
   See All...)
1. The Philistines invade the land (1 Samuel 23:27-28 [27] But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. [28] Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
   See All...).
1. Saul receives word of their attack (1 Samuel 23:27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
   See All...).
2. Saul calls off pursuing David (1 Samuel 23:28Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
   See All...).
2. David moves to the strongholds of En-gedi (1 Samuel 23:29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION: Everywhere David goes people are turning on him. He cannot trust anyone but God. Through it all, David continues to be a man after God’s heart.