What a King Should Do

It happens one day that David gets word of a Philistine attack on Keilah, which is about three miles south of Adullam. They are plundering Israel’s grain, which is already cut and gathered at the threshing floors. David is a patriot—despite his ill treatment by Saul, he cannot remain in hiding while the people he is to serve as king are robbed. He wants to fight Israel’s enemies, and now, with his four hundred men or more (v. 13), he has the means. But David is walking more closely with God now, and he does not rush into battle before consulting God, either by Gad the prophet or by means of an ephod brought by Abiathar the priest (v. 6). To David’s joy, God commands him to go, but his untested warriors are hesitant. One threat (Saul) is enough for them; they have no stomach for another challenge (the Philistines). So David returns to ask God to confirm His command, and God graciously gives not just battle orders but an assurance of victory. At that, the men acquiesce, and David’s force proceeds to strike the Philistines with a “mighty blow,” taking their livestock and relieving Keilah.

In making this attack, David behaves like an Israelite king should. By contrast, the reigning king, Saul, apparently makes no move to relieve Keilah, though perhaps he does not get word of the Philistine attack until David has dealt with it. However, Saul does move swiftly when he hears of David’s whereabouts. In his arrogance, he declares that ” ‘God has delivered [David] into my hand’ ” by leading him into a walled city, and he sets off to lay siege to Keilah.

David soon learns that Saul is on the march. He then asks that Abiathar bring his ephod, that David might inquire of God. Perhaps David is thinking of making a stand against Saul at Keilah, but again he submits his plan to God. He asks two questions: “Will Saul come?” and “Will the men of Keilah betray me?” God’s answer to both questions is “Yes.” We may wonder how the men of Keilah could be so faithless after David delivered them from the Philistines. But we must remember that Nob was destroyed on Saul’s orders; perhaps the men of Keilah simply do not want to risk Saul’s wrath. In any case, David now takes flight again, but without expressing any animosity against the city. And when he leaves, Saul stops his march. Thus, David saves Keilah not just by coming to it but by leaving it, too.