Read Your Bible series: 1 & 2 Samuel

Lesson 6: David – Unwavering Faith

Pre-cell group homework/preparation

Read 1 Samuel 23 and attempt the questions below.

Introduction
(Read by the facilitator or one of the members)
In the previous session, David becomes the provider and leader for God’s people. Saul
continues to seek his life and kills those who protect him.

Background
(Read by the facilitator or one of the members)
God’s guidance for and protection over David continue to dominate the narrative in chapter
23. You can trace this section of the escape route in the map on page 3. Again, the author
contrasts David with Saul: Saul is deluded in thinking that God is on his side, but it is clear that
God is really helping David. God grants David victory against the Philistines, but He also uses
the Philistines to protect David by diverting Saul.

The brief outline of chapters 23 is as follows:

1 Sam 23:1-5… The Lord guides and gives David victory over Israel’s enemy
1 Samuel 23:6-18… The Lord protects David and reminds him of his destiny
1 Samuel 23:19-29… The Ziphites report David’s whereabouts to Saul but the Lord
continues to deliver David from his enemy

Exploring the Text (35-45 minutes)

(For bigger groups, facilitator may consider pairing the people into smaller groups of 2-3 for
the study and discussion below)

1. If necessary, read 1 Samuel 23 again.

2. In 23:1–12, what does David do repeatedly before taking any action?

_____________________________________________________________________

3. What is the initial reaction of David’s men when they are instructed to go to Keilah for
battle? (Refer to the map on page 3 to identify the location of Keilah). What do you
think are the possible reasons for their reaction?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

1
 4. In the earlier chapters, we read how Saul has disobeyed God and killed His priests
(chapters 13, 15 & 22). Is there any evidence that illustrates Saul’s belief that God is
still on his side?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

5. After learning that Saul is again seeking David’s life, Jonathan visits David at Horesh in
the wilderness of Ziph (23:15-18). What impresses you about Jonathan’s visit and his
conversation with David?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Jonathan made an intentional effort to visit and encourage David (23:16). Can you
think of someone who needs to be strengthened in the Lord this week? Share one
way you can encourage him/her in God.

_____________________________________________________________________

6. With the Ziphites’ help, Saul and his men are closing in on David (23:24-29). How is
David delivered from Saul?

_____________________________________________________________________

Like David, we may have also come across this “Rock of Escape” in times of trouble. At
that specific moment, David came to the Lord with a plea, “Save me, O God, by your
name” (Psalms 54:1). Share a time when you came before God crying out to Him for
help and intervention. What was the outcome?

_____________________________________________________________________

Summary
A representative of each small group (if any) may share one main thought from their
respective group’s discussion. Facilitators may wrap up the discussion with a summary.

Reflect, share and pray

This may be done in the same small groups.

2
David continues to flee from Saul (Chapter 23)

A
B E

Note
A. David escaped from Saul and went to the Forest of Hereth (22:5b)
B. David, as instructed by God, went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines (23:5)
o Keilah, a city assigned to Judah’s tribe (Jos 15:44), is located near the Philistine
border
o Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron & Gath are cities controlled by the Philistines
C. David escaped from Keilah and fled to Ziph after knowing that the people at Keilah
will surrender him to Saul
o Jonathan visited David and encouraged him (23:12-18)
D. David went to Maon, also called the Rock of Escape (23:24-28)
E. David escaped to Engedi1 (23:29)

1
“En-Gedi” means “spring of the goat” or “spring of the kid.” It gets this name from the fresh water spring
located there and from the many wild goats which live in the area.