Joel M Bradshaw

1Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.” 2Therefore David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3But David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” 

4Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” 5And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.–1 Samuel 23

Remember in that animated kids’ movie about the ants and the grasshoppers? The grasshoppers came for the ants’ harvest. The ants worked all season to grow only to have it taken from them. That is what the Philistines were doing to the people of Keilah. And David, like a shepherd protecting his sheep from the wolves, sprang into action.

But first David asked God if this was what God wanted. God said yes. When David’s men had reservations, David asked God again. There is a stillness here with David before God. There is also an attitude of surrender to God’s sovereign will. Both are good qualities.

David was not impulsive in his decisions here. He was patient and inquired of God. We don’t always get direct answers to specific questions like David did. But we have God’s written world to guide us. And the Bible gives us the direction we need.

So inquire of God. Read the Bible for direction in life. Ask a trusted mature friend for Biblical advice or counsel. Submit your heart and motivations to God.–JMB