Seeking answers from God (1 Sam 23.2, 4, 10–11)

David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”
Then David inquired of the LORD again…

David said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, your servant has heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. And now, will Saul come down as your servant has heard? O LORD, the God of Israel, I beseech you, tell your servant…Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?”

Background

This passage contrasts the power of God with the power of human authority. Though David is a fugitive from the State, he is loyal to the people. He is a savior of the people or a traitor, depending on one’s perspective. The passage also demonstrates that God allows humans the freedom to act as they wish; it is through prayer and His answers that he controls events.

David hears that a group of Philistines plans to attack the town of Keilah. Rather than charging forth immediately, he “inquires of God” whether he should go to defend the town. (It is not said that a priest used an ephod to inquire, but it is implied in the following passages.) God’s response is “yes.” When David tells his men, they are concerned: it will put them right in the midst of great danger. David has the priest inquire again, and the answer from Abiathar is, “yes—God will defeat the Philistines.” David and his men save the city of Keilah. They decide to stay there among the grateful people. David is presented as a protector of the people and one who consults God in important decisions. 

The text reads as if David asks a question and God responds with ambiguity. We might say, “Well, that was David—God doesn’t speak to me like that; I am not always sure what His answer is.” But if we read the text with care, we see that David’s experience with God and prayer is no different from ours. After David “gets an answer” the first time, his men are unsure. So David returns and asks again. Likewise, we might ask something of God, and be unsure of the answer, or if it even was an answer. Months or years later, when we tell someone about the event, we may sound more specific: “I asked and God answered thus-and-so.” Perspective brings clarity. This is a good lesson in prayer: it is good to be cautious with answers to our petitions and requests (though at some point we must act in faith).

King Saul hears that David is staying in Keilah. Defensive walls circled the city. If Saul attacks, he could post men at each entrance and trap David. Saul summons his army to set forth for Keilah. Note that that Saul did not “inquire of God” before acting. 

David hears a rumor that the army is coming, and he sends for Abiathar and asks him to bring the Ephod. He prays, and God tells him that indeed Saul is coming to capture him. David then asks if the people of the town will give him over to the King. Again, the answer is “yes.”

This may surprise us. David had saved the town from the Philistines. Why would they betray him? The previous passages tell us why. It is not because Saul is the king and David is a fugitive. It is that Saul had recently wiped out the town of Nob and killed their priests and families because one of the priests had assisted David, not knowing he was a fugitive. The people of Keilah had no doubt that Saul would do the same to them. David seemed to understand this; he takes his men and leaves. When Saul hears of this, he calls off his army. By seeking God and then retreating, David has saved the city for a second time. 

Though Saul is the King of Israel, he has already destroyed one town and prepares to attack another without consulting God. David, on the other hand, inquires of God for each important decision. The writer of 1 Samuel seems to be asking us, “which man is acting like a real king of Israel?”.

Meaning

The message about prayer is a simple one. Regardless of our position, and how God might have blessed us in the past, it is important to continue to seek God’s will. We might feel quite confident in the position God has put us, and in the “rightness” of our situation—yet we must be aware that God’s plans are not always our plans, and things may change. Our view is not always God’s view. For this reason—especially in critical events that affect other people—we should never fail to ask God, “what should I do?” The answer may not always be clear, and it may take repeated requests and consultation with faithful people we trust. By placing our focus on God’s will, rather than our assumptions based on the past, we put ourselves in a better position to make positive decisions.

Application

What are you doing today that you feel confident about? Are you sure it is what you are supposed to be doing? Do you think God is pleased, or that it is His will? Recognize that, while you are likely correct, there is a chance you are not. Pray about the situation, and ask God to show you if you are misled. Ask others about it, and consider that their answers just might be God’s answer—whether it is affirmative or negative.

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