David continues to run away from King Saul. He arrives in Keilah and saves the city from a Philistine attack. His ranks number only six hundred men, but he nevertheless manages to defeat the Philistines and liberate the city. However, having heard of how Nob was destroyed, the people of Keilah quickly inform Saul that David is among them.
David arrives in Ziph, but its residents similarly try to turn him over. Abiathar, the only surviving priest of Nob, helps David to communicate with God through the divine ephod—whereupon God reveals the future to David. Abiathar repays David’s kindness with kindness. Messengers inform the king that the Philistines are attacking a different region of the country and Saul is forced to leave. David is now safe. It is once again evident that Saul is driven by evil forces, as was the case when he attacked Nob. Now, the forces of good—represented by Abiathar’s ephod—help David escape his demise.
“And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand. And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars” (1 Samuel 23:5-7)
“Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand” (1 Samuel 23:19-20)
Gratitude and appreciation for everything, even when especially difficult or challenging, is the only way to reveal blessings.
