Praying Even When You Think You Know the Answer (1 Sam 30.8)
David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?”
Background
David and his men have been living in Philistine lands, in an uneasy alliance. He has, however, gained the respect of a Philistine leader, Achish. Still, he is only among them because Saul has been trying to capture or kill him.
When the Philistines decide to attack northern Israel, David takes his men to where the Israelite army is assembled. But the leader refuses to let him fight among them—he says that Saul would never stand for it. David obeys and takes his men back to their foreign homes. When they arrive, Achish tells David that he is not welcome there either! Though Achish trusts him, the rest of the Philistines are not willing to go to war against Israel with an Israelite among them who is renowned for his battle skills.
We can imagine, based on David’s words, that he was frustrated and even angry. He was a man of God, loyal to Israel, and the next king as anointed by God. Yet, he cannot find a way to get into the battle and fight for Israel—neither side wants him.
It would be easy at this point to complain to God. David has done his best to be loyal to Israel, to the King, and to God, and yet here he is, a persona non grata. When Saul was in a similar state, not knowing where to turn for advice about fighting the enemy, he went to a necromancer to speak with the dead, violating God’s rules.
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