David’s 2nd inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:4-5 (AMP) Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will hand over the Philistines to you.” So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines; he drove away their cattle and struck them with a great slaughter. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.
Yesterday we saw that the men of David were afraid. David was not paralysed by the fear of his men. He knew God, who had said to fight the Philistines and save Keilah, could easily make his men willing to follow him. David did not rebuke his warriors, but he turned once more to God. And as we’ve just read in the above verse, the Lord did not ignore David’s second inquiry. He not only responded to David’s request but gave an answer which was even more explicit than the first.
David’s men told him that they were in a very dangerous position. 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. It was not advisable to go and fight the Philistines and be caught between two enemies. Instead of accepting the negative opinion he took the situation to God once again. God answered David again and told him that He will 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 that would be to think 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 hand him over to Saul. So, he left with his men.
Motivated by God’s divine promise, David and his followers conquered the Philistines, saved Keilah and took their cattle for much-needed food.
It was David’s habit to inquire of the Lord. Rather than just forging ahead with his own plans, he stopped to ask God what to do.
On how much do we miss out because we don’t inquire of the Lord and let Him give us fresh direction, new ideas and approaches.
Do not assume you know what to do because you’ve done it before. Give God a chance to give you a new direction. Inquire of the Lord, ask Him what He wants you to do. Give God a chance to speak!