1 Samuel 23 reflection

I found 1 Samuel 23 extremely inspiring today. This passage talks about how David inquired upon the Lord on his troops' decision to head toward the city of Keilah.

A few things that struck me while reflecting this passage:

1) David seeked the Lord's direction and voice before making decisions

a) In verse 2, he inquired the Lord whether they should attack the Philistines who were fighting against the people of Keilah.

After that he seeked reaffirmation from the Lord again after his men questioned him. in verse 3.

True enough, the Lord remained faithful to His word and delivered the people of Kenai into David's hands.

2) And Saul said, "God has given him unto my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars." (verse 7)

Clearly, according to God's will in the end, David was not held captive in Saul's hand, so Saul actually thought that God's favour was upon him.

This begs us to think, do we at times think we have understood God's will for us, or is the conviction that we have coming from self, the devil and not from the Lord's?

3) In verses 10-11, we see David seeking the Lord again for a confirmation on the intuition he had of Saul plot against him. The Lord then put it so straightforwardly to him that 'They (men of Kenai) will surrender him'

Here we notice a change of course of action according to God's will. This is something like what Paul was explaining to the church of Corinth in 2 Corinth about his change of plans to return to Corinth and not proceeding straight to Macedonia.

[17] Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? [18] As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. [19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. [20] For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
(2 Corinthians 1:17-20 ESV)

It might seem as if Paul was being indecisive, but Paul affirms here that his word was not Yes or No, but in Christ it is always 'Yes' because his change of plan was in accord with God's will.

Even though one might hold so strongly to a decision made earlier on, we do not know for certain how decision can be changed by the Lord. So it is really fine if one has to suddenly change their initial plans, as it will be always YES when God deems it right.

That is why we utter Amen~ Which means to confirm! in greek.

3) After David and his men left kedai "arose and departed", upon the Lord's instruction, they 'went wherever they could go' (verse 13)

- This really reflects David's obedience and faith in the Lord's words that they responded so swiftly, and went wherever they could go, relying on the Lord's divine guidance.


Can we go "wherever we [they] could go" and follow the Lord's lead in decision's we make in life?

I guess its a reminder to be listeners for Christ and to seek Him daily in prayer and through His word.


Amen.