1 Samuel 23:24-28 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon… Therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth - the cliff of separations (ver. 28). It seemed as if at length Saul was about to accomplish his purpose. Led by the treacherous Ziphites, he went down to the hill of Hachilah, from which David had withdrawn to "the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of the desert." In his further pursuit (ver. 25) there was but a short distance between them - Saul standing on a ridge of Hachilah, David on a rock or precipice in Maon; but a deep chasm separated them from each other. And when "Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to seize them, and David was sore troubled to escape" (ver. 26), "there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land." Thus his purpose was suddenly and effectually defeated. The escape of David suggests, concerning the dealings of God with his servants, that - I. HE SOMETIMES SUFFERS THEM TO BE REDUCED TO SEVERE STRAITS. Danger is imminent, the enemy exults, their own wisdom and strength are unavailing, and they are full of anxiety and dread. They have no resource but to betake themselves to "the Rock of Israel;" if he should fail them they are lost; and it is to constrain them to seek refuge in him that they are beaten off from every other (see 1 Samuel 7:12). II. HE NEVER SUFFERS THEM TO CONTINUE THEREIN WITHOUT HELP. Although the space that separates them from destruction be narrow, it is impassable; for the invisible hand of God is there, and the enemy cannot go a step further than he permits. "He shall cover thee with his feathers," etc. (Psalm 91:4). Sometimes nothing more can be done than to "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord;" if an effort to escape must be made, it is still he who saves, and to him we must ever look in faith and prayer. "What doth not prayer overcome and conquer? What doth not resistance drive back when accompanied by distrust of self and trust in God? And in what battle can he be conquered who stands in the presence of God with an earnest resolve to please him?" (Scupoli). "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back," etc. (Psalm 56:9). III. HE OFTEN DELIVERS THEM AT THE MOMENT OF THEIR GREATEST PERIL. He does so both in temporal calamity and in spiritual trouble, labour and conflict. At the point of despair deliverance comes (Micah 7:8). And thereby his interposition is rendered more apparent, the designs of the enemy are more signally frustrated, and the gratitude of his servants is more fully excited. "David was delivered at the last hour, it is true; but this never strikes too late for the Lord to furnish in it a proof to those that trust in him that his word is yea and amen when it says, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee'" (Krummacher). IV. HE MAKES USE OF VARIOUS AND UNEXPECTED MEANS FOR THEIR DELIVERANCE (ver. 27). Who could have predicted the arrival of such a message? The incursion of the Philistines was the natural result of the course pursued by Saul in levying war (ver. 8), going out to seek the life of David (ver. 15), and leaving the country unprotected; but the message came at the opportune moment by the overruling providence of God. His resources are boundless; he employs his enemies for the preservation of his friends, diverts their attention to other objects, and impels them to spend their strength in conflict with each other. "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9). V. HIS INTERPOSITION ON THEIR BEHALF SHOULD BE GRATEFULLY RECORDED; as it was in the name which was given to the spot, and still more fully in the psalm ending "With willing mind will I sacrifice unto thee; I will give thanks to thy name, O Jehovah, for it is good. For out of all distress hath he delivered me, And upon mine enemies hath mine eye seen its desire" (Psalm 54:8, 9) = -D. Parallel Verses KJV: And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. |
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