1 Samuel 23:1-6 – The Messiah we Need
It is harvest time. Hard work has brought in the crops, with the grain being stored at the threshing floors outside the towns. However, these precious food supplies are being raided by the Philistines (verse 1). God’s people are under attack. David does three things that show us he is the messiah-king God’s people need in their time of crisis. As he does these three things, he points to the better Messiah who we need to save us.
First, David seeks God’s will (verses 2 and 4). There’s an irony here – Saul’s name means ‘ask’. Repeatedly Saul failed to ‘saul’ God, that is, ask for direction; instead, he did his own will. David however,’sauls’ God – he asks God for direction. It is emphasised that Abiathar brought the Ephod to David from Nob (verse 6). It’s not clear what exactly Abiathar brought; the word ‘ephod’ can refer to different things. Whatever it is – perhaps the Urim and Thummim stones from the priestly robe – it is clear that David wants to, is able to, and does seek God’s will through it.
Secondly, David obeys God’s will. David is commanded to go and save Keilah (verse 4), a town in Israel, so David goes and saves Keilah (verse 5). God’s people were under attack and needed a hero. David obeys God, putting himself and his men at risk, despite their fear (verse 3). Thirdly, David saves God’s people from attack by their enemies (verse 5).
In these three ways David, as God’s messiah, is pointing to a greater Messiah, who would seek God’s will, obey God, and save God’s people. This is tremendous good news! Our greatest need is obedience to God’s will. Every sin is disobedience to God’s will, and without obedience we cannot please God. Jesus Christ is able to supply the obedience we lack, and he’s able to save us from the curse of disobedience. God’s Messiah sought God’s will and obeyed God’s will – he is the Saviour we need!
Questions
- What qualifies Jesus to be the Messiah-Saviour we need?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for Christ’s hard-fought, obedience-won righteousness.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.