1st Samuel 21-23 An Easy Life is not Guaranteed

Theological Proposition/Focus: David was the anointed king, but that did not mean life would be easy. The one who has committed themselves to God should not expect things to be easy.

Christ Focus: Jesus exemplifies faithfulness through His suffering and obedience, reminding us that the path of commitment often leads through hardship.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: We must remain faithful to God, understanding that faithfulness may require enduring challenges, relational difficulties, and personal sacrifice.

Introduction

Image: Why do the hard thing?

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy stood before a packed stadium at Rice University and delivered one of the most iconic speeches in American history. With the Cold War looming and the challenge of space exploration daunting, Kennedy cast a vision that would define a generation. He declared:

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

He went on to explain that great endeavors—those that stretch the soul and strain the will—are worth pursuing precisely because they test us, refine us, and show us what we're made of. The goal wasn't just the moon—it was the courage and commitment required to get there.

In many ways, following God is like that. We don't choose faithfulness because it's easy. We don't obey because it guarantees smooth relationships, loyal friends, or an easy road. We choose faithfulness because God is worth it—because the hard path of obedience is the only one that leads to true life.

As we walk with David through three episodes of deep difficulty, we'll see that choosing to be faithful often means choosing the hard thing. But as JFK reminded the nation—and as Scripture reminds us today—we don't do it because it's easy. We do it because it's right. Because it's God's way. Because it's worth it.

Setting the Stage:

After an emotionally wrenching goodbye with Jonathan, David departed from Gibeah and made his way to Nob, the city of priests, to meet with Ahimelek the high priest (1 Samuel 21:1). His encounter with Jonathan in chapter 20 had confirmed his worst fears: Saul was determined to kill him. Though David had once been a celebrated hero in Israel, the king's jealousy had turned into a murderous obsession. Jonathan's loyalty to David was touching, but even that friendship was about to be tested by the brutal demands of David's fugitive life. With his identity as a soldier and royal servant stripped away, and no permanent refuge in sight, David fled—not as a victorious warrior, but as a hunted man.

Arriving in Nob, David was desperate—hungry, alone, and unarmed. He lied to Ahimelek about his mission, claiming to be on official business from the king. This moment introduces a tension that will carry through the sermon: faithfulness to God does not always look neat or straightforward. David's moral failure in lying does not negate his deeper commitment to follow God's path, even when that path leads through fear, hunger, and moral complexity. Ahimelek, unsuspecting of David's real situation, offered him consecrated bread and even the sword of Goliath, the very weapon that once symbolized David's triumph over evil. Now it is given to a man on the run—a man whose commitment to God has plunged him into danger, isolation, and ethical fog. In the next three episodes of David's life (21:10-15; 23:1-14; 23:19-29), we will see how costly and complicated it can be to remain faithful when life falls apart. David's experience reminds us that the faithful path is not always clean, but it is always God's.

Body

Relationship — Faithfulness to God is not a guarantee of relational bliss (1 Samuel 21:10-15).

True faithfulness to God may blur the lines between those who should be friend and foe (10).

After receiving help from the priests at Nob, David fled once again—but this time, his destination is shocking. He heads into Philistine territory, into the city of Gath—the very hometown of Goliath. In an ultimate act of desperation, David seeks refuge in enemy territory. That choice alone tells us how dire things had become for him. Home was no longer safe. The people of Israel, his own people, had turned against him under Saul's leadership. So David runs to a place that should have been more dangerous—but in that moment, it wasn't.

As strange as it sounds, the path of faithfulness can lead you to places where enemies feel safer than friends. When you're committed to God, you may find yourself at odds with people you once trusted, even inside your own community. The betrayal of Christ by Judas, described in Psalm 41:9, reminds us that sometimes those closest to us become the greatest threats. Jesus Himself said in John 15:20: "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." Walking faithfully may mean losing comfort, connection, and even safety with those who should have stood by you.

Image: Evaluating relational fit

I've served on several university hiring committees, and one of the most important final steps is evaluating whether a candidate is a good relational fit. No matter how brilliant someone is, if they can't work well with others, they won't succeed in the team. We all know relationships matter. But here's the hard truth: when you choose faithfulness to God, it may damage some of those relationships. People may withdraw, misunderstand, or even oppose you. You may find yourself lonely, not because you've done something wrong, but because you've chosen to do what's right.

That's why preparing yourself relationally matters. You need people around you who share your commitment to faithfulness—people you can trust when other relationships begin to suffer.

Faithfulness to God will earn you a reputation (11-12).

When David arrives in Gath, he is quickly recognized—not as a refugee, but as a warrior; some even call David a king. In deep irony, the servants of the Philistine king correctly identify his power, even as Saul back in Israel seeks to destroy him. The people recall the songs sung about David: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." And that reputation puts David in serious danger.

When you follow God faithfully, you will stand out. Your life will look different from the world around you, and over time, you'll develop a reputation. That might bring admiration from some—but it will also bring opposition from others. Don't be surprised when faithfulness causes tension with non-believers or with people whose values no longer align with your own.

Faithfulness to God will humble you (13-15).

Realizing the danger he's in, David chooses a startling survival tactic: he pretends to be insane. The text tells us he scribbles on the city gates and lets saliva run down his beard. In the ancient world, madness was often seen as something sacred or taboo—best left alone to avoid angering the gods. David uses that cultural belief to escape.

But let's not miss the personal cost. For the man who once stood boldly before Goliath, this is a deeply humbling moment. David must shed every last shred of pride to survive. Ironically, Saul—who is truly unraveling—is still on the throne, while David—the anointed king—must fake insanity to stay alive.

True faithfulness doesn't always look glorious. Sometimes it looks desperate. But that humility—embracing lowliness, doing what must be done without clinging to reputation—is what God uses to refine His people. Humility should mark every believer, not just because of David's example, but because of Christ's. When we understand who we are and what Christ has done for us, we have no room left for pride.

MTR: Choose faithfulness and prepare yourself relationally.

This means surrounding yourself with trustworthy, godly people—people you can confide in when other relationships suffer because of your commitment to the Lord.

Commitment - Faithfulness to God requires real commitment — because it will be hard (1 Samuel 23:1-14).

Faithfulness may demand that you act even when you're worn out (1-6).

While on the run, David did more than just run. David still fought for Israel. The city of Keilah was located along the Philistine border about 15 miles southwest of Bethlehem. The city itself was situated in low-lying hills and was particularly vulnerable to raids. Moreover, verse 1 tells us that the city had threshing floors, indicating that it was a part of the agricultural system of the area. The end result was that the Philistines were making raids into an agricultural location that probably was not a heavily defended area and looting the city.

David was on the run—tired, hunted, and in survival mode. He had every reason to focus only on himself and the small group of men following him. But then news came: the Philistines were raiding the border town of Keilah, attacking threshing floors and stealing grain. This was a vulnerable city, likely unprotected, caught in the chaos of Saul's failing leadership. With everything going wrong in his own life, David could have easily ignored the need. But he didn't.

Instead, David inquired of the Lord: "Should I go and help?" And God answered, "Yes." Still, David's men hesitated. They were already in danger, and now God was calling them to take on the Philistines with no help from Saul's army. So David asked again—and once more, God said, "Go." Faithfulness doesn't always wait for convenient conditions. Sometimes God calls you to act when you feel most exhausted.

This is a deep challenge for us. We want to serve when we're strong, give when we're full, and step out when we feel secure. But God often calls us when we're at the end of ourselves. In those moments, He doesn't just call—He supplies. As 1 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Faithfulness doesn't begin with ease; it begins with obedience.

Faithfulness is no guarantee of loyalty from others (7-12).

Despite David's heroic rescue of Keilah, what happens next is heartbreaking. Faithfulness to God often outpaces human loyalty. Saul should have been the one to protect Keilah, but he was not. Saul hears where David is and begins to mobilize an army—not to protect Israel from Philistine threats, but to hunt down David. Even worse, David learns that the very people he just saved would turn him over to Saul. While Saul could not be bothered to go to Keilah to protect it, he was more than willing to devote time and resources to capture David at Keilah. Things get even worse; the city that should have honored David turns on him, and David learns that the citizens of Keilah are about to sell him out.

This is one of the most disillusioning parts of faithfulness: doing what is right doesn't guarantee that others will be grateful—or loyal. People are often inconsistent. They may betray you, misunderstand you, or abandon you just when you've sacrificed the most. Saul should have protected Keilah, but he didn't. And the people of Keilah should have defended David—but they wouldn't. In this painful moment, David learns again that human loyalty is fragile.

Yet, verse 14 stands in quiet contrast: "But God did not deliver David into Saul's hand." Even when others fail, God remains faithful. He does not abandon His people. And He will not let His purposes be undone.

Faithfulness demands complete reliance on God (13-14).

I think we need to find great comfort in verses 13 and 14. David continually seeks God's guidance, and God provides. The reality we see is that when people falter, God remains the one constant.

David escapes from Keilah and heads deeper into the wilderness. From this point on, his life becomes a constant flight. But here's what doesn't change: David keeps seeking God, and God keeps guiding him. In the face of betrayal, political collapse, exhaustion, and fear, David clings to the only steady thing he has—his relationship with the Lord.

There is nothing glamorous about this part of David's life. It's hard. It's lonely. It's marked by danger and disappointment. But it's also deeply instructive. David's faith wasn't built in the palace—it was forged in the wilderness. True faithfulness requires complete reliance on God. Not partial, not occasional—complete. And when human relationships collapse, God's character remains a rock.

Image: The betrayal and martyrdom of Polycarp

Polycarp of Smyrna was a prominent second-century Christian bishop and is considered one of the Apostolic Fathers—a group of early church leaders directly influenced by the apostles. Born around AD 69 and martyred around AD 155, Polycarp was a disciple of the apostle John and a key link between the apostolic age and the developing early Church. He served as the bishop of Smyrna (modern-day İzmir, Turkey) and was widely respected for his leadership, orthodoxy, and steadfast faith. His significance lies in his role in preserving apostolic teaching during a time of growing heresies and persecution. He is especially known for his efforts to maintain unity in the church and for his theological writings, including a letter to the Philippians that exhorts them to faithfulness and warns against false teachings.

The story of Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, echoes this reality across the centuries. A faithful disciple of the apostle John, Polycarp lived a life of deep theological conviction and courageous leadership. But in the end, his commitment to Christ led to betrayal. When Roman authorities sought to arrest him, a tortured servant gave away his location. Polycarp could have resisted or escaped, but he chose peace, entrusting his life to God.

At his trial, the proconsul gave him one final chance to deny Christ and live. Polycarp replied: "Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?" He was burned at the stake shortly after. His courage and clarity in suffering remind us: faithfulness to God demands commitment—even when it costs us everything.

MTR: Make a commitment to faithfulness.

Not a fair-weather faithfulness. Not a part-time commitment. But a gritty, persistent, God-dependent resolve to keep going when it's hard.

Reliance — Faithfulness to God requires that you depend completely on God (1 Samuel 23:19-29).

Faithfulness may lead to betrayal by others (19-23).

The betrayal in this section cuts especially deep. The people of Ziph lived in Judah—David's own tribe. If anyone should have been loyal to him, it was them. Yet in verse 19, they go to Saul and say, "Is not David hiding among us?" Once again, David finds himself betrayed not by enemies, but by his own people.

And here's the hard truth: betrayal is a normal part of ministry in a fallen world. We touched on this earlier, but it bears repeating—faithfulness to God does not shield us from the sting of being let down by those we once trusted. If you serve long enough, you will likely be betrayed. Not because you're doing something wrong, but precisely because you're doing something right.

David responds to this betrayal not with revenge, but with prayer. Psalm 54 is his cry to God in this moment:

Psalm 54 NIV

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, "Is not David hiding among us?"

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them. I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Faithfulness may require giving up comfort (24-25).

David's flight continues—this time deeper into the Judean wilderness. As a fugitive, he gives up not only a normal life, but even basic comforts and security. He chooses obedience over ease, exile over entitlement.

This too is part of the cost of faithfulness: a willingness to walk the hard road, to sleep under the stars rather than in a palace, to trust God in the desert when there's no sign of rescue. It's easy to be faithful when life is easy. But real dependence is forged in the discomfort.

Faithfulness benefits from God's direct watch-care (26-29).

Just when it seems David will be caught, God intervenes through providence. God never abandons the faithful. The confrontation appears to come to a head in verses 26-29. David and his men are on one side of the mountain; Saul and his army are on the other. A collision seems inevitable. Saul has more men, more resources, and the advantage of urgency. From a human perspective, David is cornered. But God is not bound by human perspectives. The situation seems dire. Saul has the military of Israel, but David—Israel's best military leader—has his own fighting men and is already on the higher ground in territory he knows. A deadly battle seemed inevitable, but "inevitable" is God's specialty.

At the last possible moment, a messenger arrives—Saul is urgently needed elsewhere. The Philistines are attacking again. Saul turns back, and David escapes. Just when it looked like the end, God delivers—not through a miracle in the sky, but through a providential interruption. David doesn't have to fight Saul. He doesn't have to take the lives of his own people. God protects His anointed—not only from danger, but from compromising his calling. God has kept David from harm and, in fact, kept David from needing to kill his own people. God is watching over David and even using the Philistines to protect His leader.

Image: A climber hanging by a single rope—utterly dependent on the anchor above.

I've done a little rock climbing and rappelling, and I can tell you: there's something terrifying and instructive about being 100 feet off the ground, hanging by a single rope. You're completely dependent on that rope—on the anchor above. You check the knots, you trust the rigging, and you learn the art of letting go and relying on something other than yourself.

In fact, the most important part of descending a rock face or rappelling out of a tree is letting go. The worst thing you can do is not simply let go. Partially letting go is how you get hurt.

That's the image of our spiritual lives. Faithfulness means hanging in trust, believing that God will hold—even when everything in you says you're falling. And the good news? He does.

MTR: Take stock now; what does it look like to rely completely on God?

Are you depending on your strength, your plans, or your people? Or are you hanging on the rope—trusting Christ alone? If you want to be faithful, you can't do it halfway. You have to depend on Him fully. .