King David's inquiry of the Lord & God's guidance to save Keilah - An inspiring story even today

King David , one of the famous old testament characters,

the shepherd boy who led his father’s sheep,

the young brother who ministered to his family needs,

the harpist whose music gave solace to the king,

the psalmist whose psalms continue to comfort millions even till today

the brave lad who fought off wild animals to save his father’s sheep,

the warrior who fought enemies for the good of the Lord’s flock

the commander who was praised “to have slain his ten thousands”

the anointed king who was obedient to God’s servants

 more importantly, the man of God who inquired of the Lord

Which made even the Lord call him the man after His own heart.

 

The one aspect that captures my imagination is how King David from time to time inquired of the Lord of his kingdom affairs and of his battles and how he got greatly benefited by the Lord’s guidance and encouraging words.

As a believer in new testament times, one tend to ask oneself, if once can inquire of God like king David and get clear guidance from the Lord ? The answer is a sure yes ! But to understand how to do this, we need to carefully look in how David did it during different instances.

The first of such instances happens in 1 samuel chapter 23.

Background : King David escapes from Saul and over time 400 men who had difficulties in life join him. Philistines, the enemies of Israel attack keilah which belongs to Israel and it was informed to David.

Inquiring of the Lord: In olden times, the priest wore ephod through which inquiry to the Lord can be made and guidance can be obtained. 

We immediately think, Lord ! such a wonderful privilege for the priests who wore the ephod in those old testament times. How nice if you give some thing like that to us ?

 People who are committed to Him may think “ Lord , if only you could give such means of inquiring even to us, how well we would do things for the ministry or how well we would do things for the society’”

A Gifting Father - our wonderful God

But He is a wonderful Father who bestows on all and gives his choicest gifts to different generations Moreover, He had also called us royal priesthood in 1 peter 2:9. That means, even we can inquire of the Lord.

The wonderful Father who placed Ephod on the old testament priests also placed the Word of God in our hands. Moreover, the Spirit of God inspires us from the Word of God and also from situations, happenings around, dreams in sleep, visions in prayer and many more

David inquires of the Lord and Lord gives him a clear instruction to save keilah by attacking philistines. Keilah is a city of Israelites and is under attack from the enemies.

Extraordinary situation

His men were afraid as the task was a daunting one. They were already escaping from saul’s army. Now if they starting fighting the philistine army it may just get too much for them

David confirms with the Lord again

David asks Lord again and the Lord assures victory and asks him to go to keilah.

Isn’t it a wonderful thing to receive such assurance from the Lord ? Now it’s upto David to pray and prepare the hearts of men and he was a leader by then who already won battles and moreover the Lord promised deliverance, he would have quickly gained his men’s trust

 Now put yourselves in the position of David, even you may be facing an uphill task. One word of guidance whether to pursue the task or leave it from the Lord would be greatly time-saving or rewarding. The promise of victory in our pursuit would be great morale booster for us, isn’t it.

Good Lord rewards obedience with rewards

David attacks philistines on Lord’s command. Lord gives victory to David and his men over philistines and not only that, they could also take their livestock as booty. More importantly in the context of the kingdom, David , the anointed to-be-king would have earned the good will of the inhabitants of keilah

David doesn’t stop but continues to inquire of God

Looks like even in those good old times, there were secret informers working for kings. David gets information about the kingdom happenings. Saul gets information about David’s hideouts and David comes to know about saul’s action plans

When David comes to know that Saul is planning to besiege keilah because of him, he once again inquires of God if he should escape from keilah He also a second question if inhabitants of keilah would hand David and his men over to saul

David escapes heeding God’s guidance

Other people , if in place of David would have trusted Keilah and would have continued to stay there. But not king David. He knows the cruelty to which saul can subject people to and get his will done.

When Lord answers David , that saul would be coming there and people of keilah would deliver him and his men into the hand of saul, David immediately knew what to do. They went wherever they could go.

To be guided by the Lord followed by best result for His follower

This event of saul coming to keilah and the inhabitants of Keilah handing over David and his men did not take place. Lord in his foreknowledge knew that this would happen and He wanted to save David and guided him.

Isn’t it wonderful if we are guided by God in these ways ? We can avoid the unfavourable happenings. We can quickly move away from harm’s way. We would know when to pursue and be victorious and enjoy the blessing and when to avoid people who could deceive or to negate the actions of people bent on doing evil.

 

We have the word of God given to us in these new testament times. We need to inquire of God and be successful not only in our personal projects but also in our pursuits that will impact  the Lord’s kingdom

 

 You could watch our video on David saving the city of Keilah with God's guidance here. Hope it inspires you to connect to Lord's guidance for your works going forward