David Ask the Lord 1 Samuel 23:1-5

“So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah’” (1 Sam. 23:2, NASB).

What shall we do? When will we do? How shall we do? These are some of the questions that Americans are asking as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These questions and others are centered on two needs. There is the need to protect life. There is the need to save our economy. The health and medical experts want to save lives because that what health professionals do. On the other hand, President Trump is a businessman. He wants to open the country up so that people can return to their jobs. He expresses the belief that if the economy fails, that too will cost a lot of lives. So, a decision will have to be made. Who should make the decision is a controversial subject. In the meantime you and I must make some decisions about our own personal life. What decisions will we make? How will we make our decisions? What are the factors that we base our decisions on? It this article we discuss the decisions that David has to make as he runs for his life, because King Saul is out to kill him.

David’s dilemma begins in 1 Samuel 17. The Philistine giant Goliath challenges the army of the Lord to send a man to fight him one on one. The appearance of this man and his experience as a warrior causes fear in the camp of the Lord’s army. Even King Saul is not willing to answer this man’s challenge. Fear has invaded the army of the Lord, and Israel has no response. However, God has a response.

The response comes from a teenage boy that has come into the camp to see how his brothers are getting along. David hears the taunts of the giants and inquires about him. David wants to know who this “uncircumcised Philistine” is and what will be the reward given to the man that defeats him. After talking with the king David kills the giant. Then, David leads the army in battle against the Philistines and his victories pleased the people (18:5). The women praise David and Saul is displeased because he is afraid that David will take the kingdom away from him (18:6-9).

David has to run for his life. David is confronted with two enemies. There is the army of the Philistines. In addition, there is King Saul. “Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death” (19:1). So, David is on the run. He has to make decisions about the Philistines, and he has to make decisions about King Saul? David is confronted with the questions of who, what, when, and how. What decisions will he make? When will he make a decision? How will he make his decision? What are the reasons for his decisions? What information will guide his decisions? These are questions that the American people are asking our government officials. These are questions that the American people are asking our science and health experts. Who is right? What is the best course of action that ought to be taken? Again, these questions are also relevant to us as we make personal decisions about our life. Let us look at how David makes his decisions.

In chapter 23 David receives word that the Philistines are attacking Keilah. “Then they told David, ‘Behold the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floor” (23:1, NASB). Keilah is a city in Palestine close to the border of the Philistines. In verse two David ask the Lord if he should attack the Philistines. “And the LORD said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah’” (v. 2). David’s men express their fear of attacking the Philistines; especially in Keilah (v. 3). The men’s words do not fall on deaf ears. David knows that their fears are based on legitimate reasons. Based on their military knowledge the Philistines have a distinct advantage. Should David act according to their expertise and fears? What decision will David make?

The men are saying one thing. The Lord has said something different. Have you ever prayed to the Lord and believed that the Lord answered your prayer? Have you ever had people to advise you to do something different from what you believe the Lord has told you to do? People may have good intentions. They may have your best interest at heart. They want the best for you, and so, they give you their best advice. What will be the next thing that you do? David makes the appropriate response.

David returns to the Lords for confirmation. Maybe the men caused David to wonder if he has really received an answer from the Lord. Was that really the Lord speaking? Did the Lord really say to me what I thought that He said? How can I be sure? David prays again to the Lord again. “Then David inquired of the LORD once more. And the LORD answered him and said, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand” (23:4, NASB). David did the right thing when he prayed to the Lord a second time. “So David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines; and he led away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. Thus David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah” (v. 5). Why does David have success?

In this story David prays to the Lord because he wants to know if the Lord will give him success if he fights against the Philistines. When his men protest, David does not ignore what they say. He respects their expertise, their feelings, and their reluctance to fight the Philistines. However, David continues to have faith in the Lord. Contrary to what some people believe, the Lord is never insulted when we ask for confirmation. The Lord wants us to consider what others have to say. He waits for us to come to Him so that we can proceed with His instructions with fullness of faith; without doubting.

Thus, we can say that the best decisions and the right decisions are made when we pray to the Lord for guidance and directions. We have our own thoughts about things. We have our own experiences. We have access to the experts. We may consider all of these things, but our best response is to do what the Lord says do. Pray and ask the Lord so that you can make the right decision, and you can make the right step.