Geography is important in this chapter. In the first 13 verses Keilah is mentioned 14 times. In verses 14-28 there are 13 references to places. If we were to look at these places on a map we would see that Keilah, Ziph, Maon are all in Judah's tribal territory. David is from the tribe of Judah - this is his

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.

Before we delve into this chapter we need to take a step back and see the frame in which it sits. I'm sure many of you have read, or were forced to read, George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' - his story about animals who take control of the farm from the abusive farmer, before the leaders become just like those they

As we look at the world today we see barbarity, brutality, savagery, and terror, we see the fruit of our kingship and self-rule - destruction. Adam and Eve tried to take the crown from God's head and put it on their own; the result is death and destruction. But it is not so when we look to God's better king,

As you reflected on what we saw in this chapter yesterday you might have found yourself thinking, "I'm not sure I like this God who is in control of all things, allowing massacre and tragedy, unleashing Saul's savagery to settle a personal score." In one sense that is not unreasonable, but you need to see the whole picture of who

In moments of barbarity, brutality, and terror like this, where is God? This is a legitimate question to ask; and it is answered by this passage. In the midst of this barbarity and brutality, God is in the same place he always is - the throne of Heaven. He is there ruling over all things, reigning over all things, and

Don't miss the profound tragic irony in Saul's actions. In chapter 15 he failed to carry out the total destruction of Amalek, which was the just judgement of God. Now he commands the total destruction of one of God's cities, an injustice of the highest proportion. The previous priestly city, Shiloh, had been destroyed by Philistines; this priestly city is

The section starts ominously. David is discovered - has he been spied upon; are there informers in his camp? Saul is holding court under the Tamarisk tree. This does not sound ominous to us, but kings in the nations around Israel were often portrayed as sitting under sacred trees. He is a king like the kings of the pagan nations

Thankfully we have not experienced any acts of terror recently. Yet acts of terror do intrude upon our lives at various points. I write this devotion a few days after the 19th anniversary of 9/11. It's not long since Westminster, Manchester, Paris, and Christchurch experienced significant acts of terror. I live in a country with 30 years of terror and

Having escaped from Gath David takes refuge in the cave of Adullam. Here men begin to gather to him. These are men who will protect, guard, and support him. They are men in difficult circumstances (verse 2) who will be blessed by him. Later on we read of lists of David's Mighty Men, Israel's heroes and champions. I wonder was