May 15, 2011

Questions for God (I Samuel 23:1-14)

Preacher: Bryce Morgan Series: Crying for a King (Samuel) Topic: I Samuel Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:1–23:14

Crying for a King

 

Questions for God
Samuel 23:1-14
May 15th, 2011
Way of Grace Church

 

 

I. Hearing from God and the Shadow of Death…in Oklahoma

 

This is how the headline read, March 20th, 1987: “Oral Roberts to Climb Into Tower in Fast for Funds”. The story followed:

 

Television evangelist Oral Roberts, claiming his life is at stake, says he will climb into his prayer tower Sunday to fast and pray for about $1 million more in donations for his medical missionary program....The tower will be closed to visitors during this period so Roberts' prayer sessions will not be interrupted, she said. Roberts has said God told him "I'll call you home" if he did not raise the entire $8 million dollar fund by March. He apparently escaped an earlier do-or-die deadline from God. A Dallas paper reported it had tapes of the evangelist telling an Easter service that God said Roberts would die last December if the $8 million was not raised by then.

 

While the question that most people (including myself) were asking when this took place was something like, “Is this guy for real?”, the bigger question was and is, “Does God really speak to people in this day and age?”

 

Whatever you think of Oral Roberts and his “do-or-die deadline from God”, the Bible wants to tell us another story this morning. And this story is also about hearing from God and the shadow of death...it just doesn't take place in Oklahoma.

 

Turn with me to I Samuel 23 as we continue our ongoing study in the book of Samuel.

 

 

II. The Passage: “And the Lord Answered Him” (23:1-14)

 

While the book is called Samuel, the man at the center of this story is really David. And at this point, as we begin chapter 23, we find David on the run. Even though he has been anointed king, David is a fugitive, a man trying to stay alive; a man trying to evade Saul, the reigning but rejected king over Israel. Driven by his jealousy and bitterness, king Saul now has one main objective: find and kill David.

 

 

A. David and Keilah (23:1-5)

 

Listen as I read, beginning in I Samuel 23, verse 1:

 

Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” But David's men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord again. And the Lord answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

 

Now, if you recall, David has been roaming around the southern deserts of Judah, hiding out in the caves and cliffs, hoping to evade Saul and his men. At the beginning of the last chapter, chapter 22, we learned that David was not only joined in the wilderness by his family, but also by four hundred Israelites who had had enough of Saul: those in distress, those in debt, those who were discontent and looking for hope.

 

So we read hear that David, presumably still in the forest of Hereth (where we left him in 22:5), David has received news that a town called Keilah was being attacked by the Philistines. Keilah was a town that was probably situated on the border between Philistia and Israel. It was about three miles to the south of the cave of Adullam where David was hiding out in chapter 22.

 

Given what we read here about the Philistines robbing the threshing floors, this was probably taking place in the early summer, at harvest time. But notice David's response to this news. He doesn't say, “Keilah? Who cares what's happening in Keilah. I've got my own problems to deal with.” No, David's first thought is “I need to stop the Philistines.”

 

But if he does that, if he goes to Keilah, news will get back to Saul, and Saul will find him. Furthermore, who knows how many Philistines have attacked Keilah. Will they be outnumbered? There are a lot of questions racing through David's mind,

 

So look at what David does: he asks God about what he should do. Verse 2: “Shall I go and attack Keilah?” But even though God answers David in the affirmative, David's men aren't so sure. Verse 3: these guys are scared and wondering if David heard God correctly.

 

So what does David do? He asks again! And God affirms for him and all the Israelites who were with David, that He will give the Philistines over to them. They will be victorious. And that's exactly what happens in verse 5. David and his men strike the Philistines with a “great blow”. They save the town.

 

 

B. Abiathar and Keilah (23:6)

 

But look at what we read in verse 6...just verse 6:

 

When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand.

 

Now it seems we have a problem when we get to this verse. The problem is NOT identifying this man named Abiathar. We know who he is from the last chapter. Abiathar is the only surviving priest from the house of Ahitub and the family of Eli.

 

Remember, Saul ordered that all the priest should be killed because he believed they were conspiring against him and supporting David's alleged coup. And after eighty-five priests were slaughtered, along with the whole town of Nob, we read this in 22:20...

 

But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

 

The question is, “When did Abiathar flee to David?” Was it while David was in the forest or in the desert? Or is this verse, 23:6, saying that he fled to David while David and his men were in Keilah? This question is important because it is related to another important question: “How did David hear from God in regard to Keilah?” There is no indication that David was like Moses, that is, that David went up on some mountain and spoke to God. In the last chapter we learned that David received guidance when the prophet Gad came and spoke to him.

 

But notice what we read here at the end of 23:6. It tells us that when Abiathar came to David, he came with an ephod in his hand. What is an ephod and why does the author mention this fact? Well, let's keep reading and see what we discover.

 

 

C. Saul and Keilah (23:7-14)

 

Look with me at verses 7-14:

 

Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10 Then said David, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” 12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will surrender you.” 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition. 14 And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

 

Now, there are number of things I want you to notice here: 1) David now has 600 men with him, up from 400 in the last chapter, 2) Saul has mobilized ALL the people to war in order to capture David, and 3) David uses the ephod in order to hear from God.

 

What is this ephod? While even though there are a number of ephods described in the Bible, the one mentioned here is the one God instructed Moses to make for his brother Aaron as the first High Priest over Israel. From the description in Exodus 28, the ephod appears to be some sort of very fancy apron, on top of which rested the priest's breastplate. The breastplate (or breastpiece) was actually connected to the ephod with golden rings and finely woven cords. And in this breastplate were kept the Urim and Thummim, which were like lots through which God would give “yes” and “no” answers.

So in light of the two halves of this passage, I Samuel 23:1-14, we have to wonder if verse 6 is really saying that Abiathar fled to David in Keilah, or if it's simply saying that after fleeing to David, Abiathar took the ephod toKeilah . If that was the case, then David was using the ephod, or more specifically, the Urim and Thummim, in order to ask God about Keilah, AND later, in the verses we just looked at, to ask about Saul coming to Keilah and about the men of Keilah betraying him.

 

Why the men of Keilah would give David, their deliverer, over to Saul is not clear. It might simply be they would be more afraid of what Saul might do to them if they did not go along with his plans against David.

 

Whatever their reasons, David does not stick around to see God's prediction come true. He runs back to the desert. And even though (verse 14) Saul sought David every single day, God...GOD did not give David into his hand.

 

 

III. Perspective: The Anointed’s Access

 

So what we have here is 23:1-14 is yet another description of how God was with David. And if we want to understand why the original writer of Samuel felt it necessary to include this story about Keilah, we need to remember two things:

 

First of all, as is clear from chapter 16, David has been chosen as the new king of Israel. Even though Saul is on the throne, he is a rejected king. Notice how this simple fact is driven home in these verses. When the Israelites of Keilah are being attacked, who goes to their rescue? David! David doesn't say, “Sorry, not my problem”. No! He knows what he should do.

 

But in stark contrast, what is Saul doing? The only reason Saul cares about Keilah is because David is there. And when he hears about David, he feels it's necessary to muster all the people for war (v. 8)..EVERYONE...just to capture David and his 600 men.

 

Who is acting like the anointed king in this story?

 

But the contrast between David and Saul is presented another way. Four times in fourteen verses, God speaks to David; or more specifically, God answers David’s questions. We see very clearly that David, not Saul, has access to God’s divine guidance.

 

But notice that Saul also believes he is able to clearly discern God’s will. Remember verse 7: Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”

 

In spite everything that had been happening to him, Saul assumed that God was blessing him by trapping David like a caged rat. Saul assumed that he could discern the will of God.

 

Now, given the question and answer format of David’s conversations with God, the format we see at the beginning and end of this passage, I believe David is using Abiathar and the ephod in both situations. It’s the same “Q & A” format we saw back in chapter 14. So through God’s anointed priest, God’s anointed king has access to divine guidance.

 

The irony in all this is that Abiathar would not even be with David if Saul had not killed his family members and driven him into hiding. Do you see that? Saul’s attempts to derail God’s plan have only made that plan even more certain.

 

This morning, are you interested in having access to God? Are you interested in divine guidance? Whenever we study David’s life, we need to remember that so very often, in light of the New Testament, David is a preview of Jesus Christ. But what’s so interesting is that in this passage, Abiathar is also a preview of Jesus. Remember that God’s word tells us how Jesus is both God’s anointed king, the “Christ”, the Greek word for “messiah”, and also God’s anointed priest.

 

Listen to what the author of Hebrews tells us about this access: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

 

Do you find yourself in a time of need? I do. Do you need mercy? I do. Do you need grace? I do. Well, we can come with confidence this morning to God’s throne of grace. If we come by grace, through faith in Christ, we have access because of God’s anointed.

 

 

IV. Practice: Bringing Our Questions to God

 

But what does this access look like in practice? Does it look like this, like what we read here? Well “yes” and “no”. No! God is not going to answer us regularly and directly through some kind of special revelation. But YES, our access is like this, because like David, we can and should bring all of our questions to God.

 

There have always been people like Oral Robert, people who believe God has spoken to them. And in most cases, the message that is supposedly given, along with the character of the one who receives the message, immediately makes such claims suspect. Frequently, but not surprisingly, such messages are quite self-serving.

 

But there have also always been people like Saul, people who believe they can discern how God is at work in this or that circumstance. In fact, I think all of us have taken this idea too far at one time or another: “I know God put this person in my life…Well God obviously opened that door for me…This is what God wants me to do…why else would I have a peace about it…why else would everything be working out?”

 

But listen again to these words: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

 

God has not called us to wait for a sign or the voice of a modern prophet. God has not called us to figure out a divine design in our circumstances. God has called us to believe that His word, the Scriptures are sufficient for what we need to be taught, for how we need to be reproved and corrected, for training us in righteousness…for every good work.

God’s word is sufficient! We can and should bring all of our questions to God because God’s word always has an answer for us. We just need to understand how to find that answer.

 

No, God’s word is not going to answer the question, “Where did I leave my favorite socks?” But in the midst of our search, it is going to remind us about our Provider and our priorities and the peace that can be ours when we know God is on His throne. No, God’s word is not going to answer the question, “What is the secret code to get the next level of this or that video game?” But it is going to teach us about managing our time and putting first things first. No, God’s word is not going to answer the question, “What is the difference between a sharp and flat note?” But it is going to point us to the Creator of music and remind us that music should be used for His glory.

 

Sometimes, we are better at questioning God than bringing our questions to God. But let me do this…let me give you three principles that I hope will be helpful as you strive to bring all of your questions to God:

 

Number one: Bring God questions about what He has already revealed. I was talking to a brother this past week about the idea of curiosity. Shouldn’t God’s people be curious when it comes to God’s word? Shouldn’t we ask questions about what we read in the Bible? Do you do that? Why is that passage here? What would happen if this passage was not here? What does the rest of the Bible say about this or that? How do these pieces fit together? What does this word mean? We learn when we ask questions.

 

And one of the greatest questions we can bring to God’s word, “Where is Jesus in this passage? How does it connect me to Him?” Remember what Jesus told the Jewish leaders in John 5: You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39, 40)

 

Bring God questions about what He has already revealed!

 

Number two: Bring God questions about your past. So many of us live life “right now” in bondage to what happened “back then”. And so many times that’s true, because we have not been liberated by what God has to say about our past. No, God’s word does not reveal every detail of each cause and effect that God has used in your life; He doesn’t tell you how “A” led to “B” which affected “C” in light of “D”. But…but if you bring your “A” to God’s word, He will take you all the way to and tell you all about “Z”.

 

Therefore remember that at one time you…were…separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13)

 

Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (I Corinthians 6:9-11)

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (II Corinthians 5:17)

 

But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:19, 20)

 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

Bring God questions about your past, and then cling to His glorious answers.

 

Number three: Bring God questions about your present and your future. Very often, Christians get hung up on this question, “What is God’s will for my life?” But when we bring that question to God’s word, this is what we find:

 

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will… (Ephesians 1:11)

 

We also find this: For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality… (I Thessalonians 4:3)

 

Did you notice that both of those passages deal with the will of God? But…they are describing two different aspects of God’s will, that is, what God desires. In the first verse, God’s will is about the “what”, “who”, and “where” of your everyday life; the details! In the second verse, God’s will is about the “how” of your everyday life; the direction!

 

But we get these two things confused. We want to know the details, the “what”, “who”, and “where” of the days, week, months, and years ahead. But God does not give us those things. He gives us the “how”. He gives us the direction.

 

Let me give you an example. Here’s a question I might bring to God about my present and future: “God, who do you want me to marry?” Now, many Christians ask that questions in terms of the details of God’s will, usually in regard to a specific person. They asks things like “God, please give me a peace or some kind of sign that I should marry this person.” And we can do this with all sorts of decisions.

 

But God has already answered that question in His word: he’s told me I should marry someone of the opposite sex, who it not a family member, who is not married to someone else, and who is a follower of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, He has called me to exercise wisdom in regard to other issues related to marriage. You see, God has given me the “how’ of His will in terms of obedience. He doesn’t call me to figure out the details of His will.

 

So was it my job to find the one woman God created just for me? No. Was I supposed to find the kind of woman God created for me? Yes! And in finding the kind of woman God created for me did I find the one woman God created just for me? Yes! Isn’t that wonderful!

 

In following the direction of God’s will as revealed in His perfect word, in Scripture, I can trust that the details of God’s will are being worked out according to His wisdom and love in Christ.

 

Brothers and sisters, don’t get bogged down in waiting for God’s Spirit to reveal some detail to you about His will for your “what”, “who”, and “where”. No, God’s Spirit was given to you to empower you for live according to what God has already revealed in His word. For the direction, not the specific details of your personal script. This is what the Bible means when it talks about being led by God’s Spirit: not to be led mystically in what is uncertain, but to be led into obedience in light of what is certain.

 

So bring God questions about your present and your future, and let Him sort those questions in light of what He’s revealed about your obedience. Through Scripture God will either say, “No”, “Yes”, or “It depends”. “No, that involves sin” OR “Yes, that is what I’ve called you to do” OR “It depends. You have freedom in this area, but are you using your freedom for my glory?”

 

God’s word is sufficient. So many individuals and churches and groups that have strayed from the truth, but still hold to a “form of godliness”, have this in common: they have denied the sufficiency of God’s word. They either add some kind of prophet or apostle, or add new revelation or supposedly ancient tradition…they ADD something else to the mix.

 

But because of Jesus Christ, we can come like David came; we can bring our questions to God. And we can receive His word, trusting that His word is sufficient. Are you listening to Him this morning? Are you ready to listen to His word this week?

 

In the midst of your challenges this week, don’t be afraid to bring your questions to God. He has given you access in prayer and He has given you His voice through the Scriptures. Let’s ask God to help us do these very things today and in the coming days.

other sermons in this series

Jul 13

2014

He Heard Our Cries (II Samuel 23:1-7)

Preacher: Bryce Morgan Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:1–23:7 Series: Crying for a King (Samuel)

Jul 6

2014

Last Lessons from Jesse's Son (II Samuel 24)

Preacher: Bryce Morgan Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:1–24:25 Series: Crying for a King (Samuel)

Jun 1

2014

Righteousness Required (II Samuel 22:21-51)

Preacher: Bryce Morgan Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:21–22:51 Series: Crying for a King (Samuel)