ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tu‘apulelulu Tisema 23, 2021

Arise, go down to Keilah…

Tu‘u, ‘alu hifo ki Kī‘ila…

 

1 Samiuela 23 (1 Samuel 23)

(v. 1-4) PEA na‘e fakahā kia Tēvita, ‘o pehē, Tokua ‘oku tau‘i ‘a Kī‘ila ‘e he kau Filisitia, ‘o nau pāpani foki mei he ngaahi haha‘anga. Pea huhū ‘e Tēvita ki he ‘Eiki, ‘o pehē, Ka u ‘alu, ‘o taa‘i ‘a e kau Filisitia ni? Pea folofola ‘a e ‘Eiki kia Tēvita, ‘alu, ‘o taa‘i ‘a e kau Filisitia, ‘o fakahaofi ‘a Kī‘ila. Pea lea kia Tēvita ‘ene kau tangata; Vakai, ‘oku. tau nofo manavahē eni ‘i Siuta, kae huanoa ‘oka tau ka ‘alu ki Kī‘ila, ke fai mo e ngaahi matatau Filisitia. Ko ia na‘e toe huhū ‘e Tēvita ki he ‘eiki. Pea tali ‘e he ‘Afio, ‘o pehē, Tu‘u, ‘alu hifo ki Kī‘ila, he te u tuku ‘a e kau Filisitia ki ho nima. 

(v. 1-4) Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

The series of happenings recorded in this chapter reveals most vividly the appalling condition of affairs in the kingdom.

Saul, still nominally king, filled with hatred for David, was devoting all his strength to persecuting David; while the affairs of the nation were becoming more and more involved in hopeless confusion.

While David in exile was almost certainly the popular idol of the people, their fickleness was manifested in the mean treachery of both the Keilites and the Ziphites, who were prepared to maintain favor with Saul by delivering up David to him.

David, with the spirit of true patriotism burning in his heart, waged war successfully against the Philistines, the enemies of the nation. It is evident, however, that his exile and persecution were telling on him, and nervous fear was growing in his heart. Nevertheless, his trust in God remained unshaken, and he appealed to God in his hour of trouble.

The most beautiful incident of this period is the meeting of David and Jonathan in the wood. It was their last meeting, and it manifested that Jonathan's love for David was as strong as ever. Jonathan was firmly convinced that David must eventually become king; and, looking forward to when this should be, he attested his willingness to take second place in the kingdom.

David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 23

The Philistines are fighting against Keliah, and they are robbing the threshing floors: They brought this plea for help to David and not to King Saul because Saul was not fulfilling his role as king over Israel. It was Saul’s job to protect Keliah and it was Saul’s job to fight the Philistines but Saul wasn’t doing his job and the Lord called David to do it.

God loved His people too much to let them suffer with an unfaithful king. If Saul wasn’t up to the task, God would raise up a man who was, and David was the one. God directed David to act like a king even if he was not the king yet.

Therefore David inquired of the Lord: This showed David’s wisdom and godliness. Some might have immediately said, “This isn’t my responsibility, let Saul deal with it.” Others might have immediately said, “Let’s go! I can fix this problem!” Either course was foolish, but David was wise because he inquired of the Lord.

Go, and attack the Philistines, and save Keliah: By all outward appearance, this was a crazy thing to do. First, David had 400 men with thin resumes and bad credit reports (1 Samuel 22:2) – not exactly a regular army. Second, David had enough trouble with Saul and he didn’t need to add trouble from the Philistines – one enemy is usually enough. Third, this would bring David wide open out before King Saul. This was a dangerous course of action.

David did this for two reasons. He had the command of God, and the need of the people. David was willing to endanger himself to obey the command of God and to meet the need of the people.

But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah.” David’s men counseled him to not go to Keliah. We can understand their counsel; but we should not agree with it. It was good that David became captain over them (1 Samuel 22:2) and that this wasn’t a democracy.

David inquired of the Lord once again: Wisely, David took the words from his men into great account. He wrestled with their advice and saw that in many ways it made a lot of sense. At the same time he knew this was an issue that had to be decided before the Lord.

Arise, go down to Keiliah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand: God likes to confirm His word, especially when He directs us to do something hard or unusual. This time the Lord not only confirmed His previous command but He also gave a promise with the confirmation: “I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”