Deeper Reflection
KEILAH WAS an “agriculturally productive” “fortified city” in Judah, which was “only about twelve miles east of southeast of Gath [cf. 1 Sam 21:10] and was relatively isolated from other Israelite cities”³⁶. Thus, Keilah was “an attractive and vulnerable target for the Philistines”³⁷. David and his troops were presumably in “the forest of Hereth” (1 Sam 22:5), which was not far from Keilah.³⁸ And when David heard that the Philistines were fighting against Keilah and plundering the city, he sensed the need to deliver the city in danger. But the first thing David did was to “inquire of the LORD” (v.2). God answered David: “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah” (v.2). But David’s troops were “afraid” (v.3). Facing “an army of superior armaments and greater numbers”, David’s troops were “unconvinced by the words of David’s supposed revelation”³⁹. David “inquired of the LORD once more” and God answered him with the divine assurance, “I will give the Philistines into your hand” (v.4). Twice, God answered David immediately. However, God does not necessarily answer us immediately and certainly not all the time. There are times when we have to wait, trusting in God that He has heard us and He will answer in His time and in His way. But in such times, God has spoken to us: “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD” (Psa 27:14).

---

³⁶ Robert D. Bergen, 231 ³⁷ Robert D. Bergen, 232 ³⁸ Robert D. Bergen, 231, 232 ³⁹ Robert D. Bergen, 232