Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read 1 Samuel 23
David saves Keilah.
Keilah was a few miles south of Adullam, which belonged neither to Judah nor to the Philistines at that time. When the Philistines attacked Keilah, David and his men fought against the Philistine. King Saul used his power to destroy a Judean city, but David used his to reclaim one from the Philistines.
“Inquiring of the Lord,” (v.2, 4, 10,12) was a key to David’s success. Apostle Paul called David a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), quoting prophet Samuel’s prophecy against King Saul, “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (1 Samuel 13:14)
King Saul continued to use the army to try to find David, but Jonathan, King Saul’s son, assured David that his father would not lay a hand on him. Their friendship was affirmed again by making a covenant before God.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?