Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand” (1 Samuel 23:4 NIV).
One of the great characteristics of David’s life is the fact that he always inquired of God whenever he wanted to take a decision. In the context described here, we find David fleeing from King Saul with his few faithful followers. While fleeing he heard that the Philistines were fighting against Keilah.
So he inquired of the Lord. And the Lord gave him the command to go and fight the Philistines and save Keilah.
Now David encountered opposing opinion. His men told him that they were in a very dangerous position already. So they told him that it was unwise to go and fight against the Philistines. What they said was true. On the one side they were being relentlessly pursued. So it was definitely not advisable to go and fight the Philistines and be caught between two enemies.
But instead of accepting the negative opinion he took the situation to God once again. Here God answered David and told him that He will definitely give the Philistines into David’s hand!
And as we read further we find that David saved Keilah. But a new emergency arose when Saul decided to come to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David did not trust in natural wisdom and think that the people of Keilah would help him simply because he had helped them. So he inquired of God again. And from God he came to know that Saul would definitely come and the people of Keilah would deliver him over to Saul. So he left with his men.
The great lesson here is that David ordered his steps accordingly after inquiring of God. Let us do likewise!
—
More Manna: