Big Idea: The Lord guides, encourages, and protects his chosen servants in their darkest hours.

Understanding the Text

Saul’s intention to destroy David was never clearer than in chapter 22, which tells how Saul murdered the priests of Nob simply because he believed they had conspired with David against him. As the story continues, the tension is high because God told David to return to Judah (22:5), placing him in harm’s way. But chapter 23 shows that the God who places his servant in harm’s way also guides and protects; this theme of divine guidance and protection dominates the story in the coming chapters. It contributes to the author’s agenda of contrasting David with Saul. As we see in chapter 23, Saul claims divine assistance (see v. 7), but it is clear that God is really helping D…