Today’s passage: 1 Samuel 23:1-14
Helpful thoughts:
- The ephod was the way the Torah had given Israel a means of determining God’s will concerning things like this battle and whether David and his men should flee. It was called the Urim and Thummim (Numbers 27:21) and they were kept in a pouch on the ephod.
- The way that David heard from the Lord before going into battle is not stated. It was perhaps simply a prophetic revelation.
- God had given the Philistines into David’s hand, but Saul’s perspective was quite different. He was now crediting God with giving David into his hand (Verse 14 says otherwise).
- David asked the Lord questions that helped him discern how to avoid conflict with Saul and to preserve the city of Keilah. He wasn’t looking for a fight with Saul.
Questions to consider:
- What kinds of things do you wish you could use the Urim and Thummim for today? What has God given us that David did not have? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Why would Saul believe that God had given David into his hand? What would he have to base that information on besides his own desires and view of God? Is it possible to feel very passionately about something and be wrong? How would we know? How can we be corrected?
- How was David’s decision to leave Keilah the wisest and kindest thing to do? Who benefited from his choice?