“So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” 1 Samuel 23:2a
David and his army were fugitives on the run from King Saul. They were constantly moving from place to place seeking safety and refuge. Then word came to David that the city of Keilah was under attack. At this time, David is no longer one of Saul’s Commanders. He was under no obligation to come to their aid. But this was a city that David may have been more familiar with being just southwest of Bethlehem in Judah. You can see in this backdrop how he may have been torn in how to respond.
Well, Today’s Verse is what David did – he “inquired of the Lord”. He did not automatically assume that this was God’s will. Yes, the Philistines were God’s enemy, yes, the city of Keilah needed defending, but “what did God want” was his main concern. He wanted to make a Wise Decision that honored God. And being a prudent man, he even listened to the counsel of his fellow soldiers when they said “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” We are told then, that he “inquired of the Lord once more”.
This reminds me of the “Lord’s Prayer”, and, “Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane” where He prayed “Thy will be done” and “nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done”. Let us learn today from King David and his Greater Son where we find God’s Will; From God, and, In Prayer!!!