1 Samuel 23b Commentary

1 Samuel 23b Commentary

How the LORD God interacts with individuals. Or, how the LORD God answers prayer. It’s an interesting subject!

This chapter zooms in on a couple of ways.

The opening verses describe David enquiring directly with the LORD. He uses the ephod—probably the priest Abiathar (verses 6 and 9) does it for him. The LORD God provides the answer using the same ephod.

The ephod was mostly a “yes” and “no” means of communication. It can be a lovely machine because it reduces the room for personal opinions – opinions and options bring confusion!

You obtained your answer from the ephod and acted accordingly. Without action, the entire process was rendered useless. We could place emphasis on actions and ensure the word of the LORD through the ephod didn’t fail.

God’s answer could fail if humans fail to act.

Verse 17 gives us an interesting picture. The LORD God answers David’s need for safety and protection by sending Jonathan. He brings David encouragement and assurance (with insurance). We know this is David’s greatest need at this time.

The LORD God may communicate to us by way of other believers. Your family at church exists as the transport of God’s blessings to you!

Verse 25. There is danger – present and real. The LORD God informs David about it using other people – informers. Probably these shared the same concerns as David but we doubt if we can classify them as part of the household of faith.

We can also look at what many may consider a chance event somewhere. It distracts Saul from his pursuit of David. David escapes with his life! The LORD God answers by this “chance event”. We know these aren’t “chance” events!

What we may call near-misses aren’t near misses at all. The LORD God doesn’t walk on the edge! The edge is our view!

This chapter reveals many aspects of how the LORD God communicates and interacts with humanity. There are no “chance events”. See how “everything” and in everything, the LORD God works for the good of David (Romans 8:28).

The saint knows his or her environment is an antenna of God’s communication to them. They are never alone! If only they learnt to ask, What is the LORD God saying?

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