1 Samuel

1 Samuel 23: The LORD answers those who ask

Begin in prayer

Before we see David ask the LORD at Keilah what to do, and learn that the LORD answers those who ask Him, let us pray together. Ask Him to guide our family, and to show us Jesus.

In my distress I called on Yahweh, and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple. My cry before him came into his ears.

Psalm 18:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You answer those who ask You, and keep Your servants from their enemies. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David learned that the Philistines were robbing the threshing floors of Keilah, and he asked the LORD whether to attack them. The LORD told him to go and save Keilah, and David fought and saved its people. Saul planned to besiege Keilah, so David asked the LORD whether the men of Keilah would deliver him up. The LORD said they would, so David and his six hundred men left the city. Saul sought David every day, but God did not deliver him into Saul’s hand. Jonathan came to David in the woods and strengthened him in God, and they made a covenant before the LORD.

As you read 1 Samuel 23, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD answers those who ask Him, and He keeps His servant from Saul.

The Philistines were robbing the threshing floors of Keilah, and David asked the LORD whether to strike them (verses 1 and 2). The LORD said to go, and when David's men were afraid, David asked again (verses 2 to 4). David saved Keilah, and Abiathar the priest brought the ephod, which was used to ask the LORD (verses 5, 6 and 9). Saul said God had delivered David into his hand, because David was shut in a town with gates (verse 7). David asked if Saul would come and if Keilah's men would give him up, and the LORD said yes (verses 10 to 12). David and his six hundred men left Keilah, and Saul gave up going there (verse 13). Saul sought David every day, but God did not deliver him into Saul's hand (verse 14). Jonathan came to strengthen David in God and made a covenant with him before the LORD (verses 16 to 18). The LORD answers those who ask Him, and He kept David from Saul.

How does 1 Samuel 23 show us that the LORD answers those who ask Him, and keeps His servant from Saul?

David asks the LORD before he acts.

David heard that the Philistines were robbing Keilah, and he asked the LORD whether to strike them (verses 1 and 2). When his men were afraid, he asked the LORD again (verses 3 and 4). Later he asked whether Saul would come and whether the men of Keilah would give him up (verses 10 to 12). He asked with the ephod, which the priest Abiathar had brought (verses 6 and 9).

The LORD answers His servant.

The LORD told David to save Keilah and promised him the Philistines (verses 2 and 4). He told David the hard truth, that Saul would come and Keilah would give him up (verses 11 and 12). Jesus thanked the Father for always hearing Him (John 11 verses 41 and 42).

The LORD keeps His servant from his enemies.

Saul said God had delivered David into his hand, because Keilah had gates and bars (verse 7). David slipped away from Keilah with his six hundred men, and Saul gave up the attack (verse 13). Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into Saul's hand (verse 14). At Maon a messenger told Saul the Philistines had raided the land, and Saul turned back (verses 26 to 28).

Memorise

Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand.

1 Samuel 23:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I ask the LORD to guide me, and Jesus to forgive me?

David asked the LORD, and the LORD answered him. The text says, “Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand.”

David had just saved Keilah, and the LORD said its men would give him up. People fail, but Jesus did not fail. He did not turn aside from the cross. There He carried the sin of His people, and God raised Him on the third day. He did it once for all, and He always lives to pray for His people (Hebrews 7 verse 25).

Ask Him today. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. The LORD answers everyone who calls on Him in faith, and He forgives them.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD answers those who ask Him, and that Jesus always prayed to His Father and was heard. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He answers those who ask Him, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings

Psalm 17:8

Father, You answer those who ask You, and You keep Your servants from their enemies. Thank You that Jesus always prayed to You and was heard. Teach us to ask You before we act, and to trust You with every need. Hide us under Your wings this week. Amen.