1 Samuel 23:10

23:7-13 Well might David complain of his enemies, that they rewarded him evil for good, and that for his love they were his adversaries. Christ was used thus basely. David applied to his great Protector for direction. No sooner was the ephod brought him than he made use of it. We have the Scriptures in our hands, let us take advice from them in doubtful cases. Say, Bring hither the Bible. David's address to God is very solemn, also very particular. God allows us to be so in our addresses to him; Lord, direct me in this matter, about which I am now at a loss. God knows not only what will be, but what would be, if it were not hindered; therefore he knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to render to every man according to his works.

Then said David,.... By the priest, for it was he that put the questions for and in the name of the inquirer: O Lord God of Israel; the great Jehovah, the covenant God of his people, who always has a merciful regard unto them: thy servant hath certainly heard; had good information of it, on which he could depend: that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah; that was his intention and resolution: to destroy the city for my sake; to besiege it, and demolish it, if that was necessary, in order to take him.

If Gad was with David at the forest of Hareth 1 Samuel 22:5 , and there inquired for him of the Lord 1 Samuel 23:2 , 1 Samuel 23:4 , but did not accompany him to Keilah, and if Abiathar's flight occurred at the time of David's being at Keilah, we have an additional striking instance of God's watchful providential care of David in thus sending Abiathar to supply the place of Gad at so critical a moment.

9. he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod—The consultation was made, and the prayer uttered, by means of the priest. The alternative conditions here described have often been referred to as illustrating the doctrine of God's foreknowledge and preordination of events.

But David heard that Saul was preparing mischief against him (lit. forging, החרישׁ, from הרשׁ; Proverbs 3:29 ; Proverbs 6:14 , etc.), and he inquired through the oracle of the high priest whether the inhabitants of Keilah would deliver him up to Saul, and whether Saul would come down; and as both questions were answered in the affirmative, he departed from the city with his six hundred men, before Saul carried out his plan. It is evident from 1 Samuel 23:9-12 , that when the will of God was sought through the Urim and Thummim, the person making the inquiry placed the matter before God in prayer, and received an answer; but always to one particular question. For when David had asked the two questions given in 1 Samuel 23:11 , he received the answer to the second question only, and had to ask the first again ( 1 Samuel 23:12 ).

Verse 10. - David inquired of God . The "inquiring" was made, as matter of course, through the high priest, and not merely, as we should say, in private prayer ( Judges 1:1, 3 ; Judges 20:23, 27 ; 1 Samuel 23:2, 4 ; 1 Samuel 30:8 ; 2 Samuel 2:1 ). The directness of the Divine answer was some echo of the old reply when Judah was authorized to go up against the Canaanites ( Judges 1:2 ). 1 Chronicles 14:10