“So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David. 26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” 28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.[b]29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.[c]” 1 Samuel 23.24-28
Much of these chapters is about Saul’s pursuit of David. Here we find another example of Saul chasing David but in this instance, right when Saul is about to capture David and his men, Saul is forced to flee for the Philistines are raising Israel.
The text tells us that Saul was very close this time. The king was on one side of the mountain and David was on the other side and “hurrying to get away from Saul.” Saul is his forces were closing in. Thousands of men were with the king and the capture was certain that is until word comes to Saul about the Philistines. Saul “broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines.” And the place they call “Sela Hammahlekoth,” meaning the place of parting.
Saul was obviously acting out of his own insecurities and sin. When someone told Saul where David and his men were hiding, Saul said, “The Lord bless you for your concern for me,” v. 22. But Saul was no more seeking the Lord’s blessing than the Philistines were. He was seeking David’s life and time and time again David is recused by the hand of God from the grasp of Saul.
The God was was faithful to David is also faithful to us. God who was faithful in the past will remain true in the future. What he did for us yesterday, he will do for us today as we seek him, follow him, love him. God provided a way for David to escape time and time again and he will do the same for everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord.
The consistency of God who saved the Israelites is the same God who in Jesus Christ rescued us from the pain of sin and death. He is the same today and forever. His life does not fail and his character does not change. Those who seek the Lord will find him and those who call on him will find deliverance in his name.
Is that’s not good new than I don’t know what is!
“O Lord God, I confess I am a sinner, saved by your grace. I don’t pretend to put you first in every area of my, but that is my desire. I know your ways are best. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your love. Shape me so I might introduce others to your faithfulness and that all might find hope in who you are. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen