Proper and Improper Ways of Asking God for Something (2 Sam 5.19, 23)

David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?”

When David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come upon them opposite the balsam trees.”

2 Samuel 5.19, 23

Background

These prayer passages are two of the last times that we read of David (or any leader of Israel) “inquiring” of God.¹ The practice of gaining a “yes” or “no” answer from God is coming to an end (at least in the biblical story). Instead, David and later leaders seek more guidance from God than could be gained from a mere throwing of dice.² Another reason for the change might also be because many of the surrounding nations sought their gods and goddesses in that manner,³ and Israel wanted to distinguish themselves from their neighbors.

Before we look at these two inquiries (petitionary prayers), we need to review the context. Upon hearing of Abner’s death, Ishbaal was killed by two of his own men. They cut off his head and brought it to David, as a sign they, too, had seen the way things were going and to prove they were now loyal to David. As we have learned by now, this did not please David. He had the two men executed for killing the son of Saul.

Despite David’s displeasure with these events, they did clear the way for him to become king over all Israel. There was only one male descendant of Saul left: for a young son of Jonathan, who was lame from a childhood accident. Whether it was his age or his disability, no one saw him as a candidate or threat to the throne. All the leaders of every tribe came together and anointed David as king. After seven years of ruling Judah, he would rule as king of Israel for 33 years.

Once he was crowned, David took his army and captured Jerusalem, that ancient city that had been known as Salem when Abram went there to ask Melchizedek for a blessing.⁴ David made it the capital of Israel, had a palace built, and had gathered more wives, concubines, and children. The writer makes no comment about the riches and wealth that David is acquiring because of his kingship, though later it will become an issue and a problem.

When David had ruled only Judah, the Philistines had left him alone. Now that he was king of all Israel, they saw their former toleration of him as a threat. They gathered their armies, and two battles ensue. The author does not dwell too much on the fighting. Before each battle, David inquired of God, does as God instructed, and is victorious. We can assume again that David’s prayer requests were made by consulting the priest Abiathar, who determined the answers by using the Urim and Thummim.⁵

In the first petition, David asks if he should meet the Philistines at their camp, and, if he did, would God give him victory. The answer to both was “yes.” After this initial defeat, the Philistines reassemble at a second location. David inquires of God once more. This time, God tells him not to go out and meet them, but to flank the camp and attack from the rear.⁶ Once again, the Israelites are victorious.

In previous passages of “inquiry,” we have discussed what we can learn about our petitionary prayers. Since this is the last of these petitionary prayers that involve the casting of lots, it is a good time to review all we have discussions about it. Is the practice of casting lots something we could use in our prayers?⁷ Could it lead to prayers that are not well-advised?⁸ There are instances of it being used for a self-serving purpose.⁹ But most of the examples are positive models about seeking God: it can be a sign of boldness in prayer,¹⁰ an encouragement to see God no matter the circumstances.¹¹

In this passage, we see, once again, the characteristic of David that he seeks God’s will in every important decision. (In the larger context of this prayer, we also see David’s character in how he treats his rival kings with compassion and honor.) Yet there is also some foreshadowing of difficulties to come, despite being “a man after God’s own heart.”

Meaning

As we seek to enrich our prayer lives, this summary of “inquiring” of God encourages us to develop the habit of turning to God at every important decision. It should be our first impulse. Whether we seek a sign through random events (casting lots) or through seeking the advice of others and watching for doors to open or close, the goal is to find God’s will, not ours. Therein lies the danger, for we sometimes see and hear what we want. Our “divining” of the will of God can become the case of “seeing what I want to see.” This may be even worse than not seeking God’s answer at all because it causes us to act in our own way while still being able to say “that’s God’s will.” We usurp God when we do that. Saul is an example of the latter: his “seeking” God’s will was sometimes only for self-serving purposes. David, at least later, becomes an example of the former: his wealth, power, and status will get the best of him, and he makes decisions without inquiring of God at all, so it seems.

Application

How do we protect ourselves against these dangers in prayer? We cannot, at least not always. This is why we turn to God: we need rebuke and forgiveness when we stumble. But we can do things to protect against it. We can examine ourselves and our petitionary prayers for signs of selfishness; we can ask ourselves tough questions about our motives. It is quite difficult to ask ourselves, “what is it I am not seeing or hearing”—but that in itself can be a matter of prayer: “God, open my eyes that I may see.”

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1. The final instance is in 2 Sam 21.1. See “Choosing the Right Type of Prayer (2 Sam 21.1).” ↩︎
2. This is not to say that the practice was completely neglected. The choice of Matthias to replace Judas is one example in the New Testament (Acts 1.26). ↩︎
3. See, for example, Deut 18:11; 1 Chr 10:13; Ezek 21:23; Hos 4:12. ↩︎
4. See “Melchizedek Blesses Abram (Gen 14.19–20)” in Praying Through the Bible, Volume 1 (Genesis–Joshua) (2015). ↩︎
5. For more on the term “inquire” and the method, see “Prayer and Casting Lots (1 Sam 10.22)” and “Formal and Informal Petitionary Prayers (2 Sam 2.1).” ↩︎
6. What series of yes/no questions led to this understanding we are not given, but we can imagine “shall I attack them?” “Yes.” “Shall I attack from the front?” “No.” “Shall I attack from the rear? “Yes.” or something similar. ↩︎
7. See “Prayer and Casting Lots (1 Sam 10.22).” ↩︎
8. See “Prayer and Well-meaning rashness (1 Sam 14.41).” ↩︎
9. See “The Limits of God’s Patience (1 Sam 28.6).” ↩︎
10. See “Offering Unpopular Prayer (1 Sam 22.10, 13. 16);” “Self-serving prayers? (2 Sam 2.5–6).” ↩︎
11. See “Seeking God’s Answer (1 Sam 23.2, 4, 10–11);” “Praying Even When You Think You Know the Answer (1 Sam 30.8);” “Formal and Informal Petitionary Prayers (2 Sam 2.1);” “Self-serving prayers? (2 Sam 2.5–6).” ↩︎

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