David was known as “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) I believe one of the reasons that sets him apart is that the scriptures frequently mention that David did not act until he had “inquired of the Lord.”

In other words, David sought God’s wisdom, counsel, and guidance before any weighty decisions. For David, this frequently meant before a battle confrontation. Who wants to go to war if you don’t have to and furthermore, who wants to engage in conflict unless the Lord is on your side?

I am learning a lot about prayer from reading through the life of David in 1 & 2 Samuel. So many times, I act without thinking or rely on past experience or human intellect. But, David never took this for granted. He asked specific questions to God and waiting, fully expecting a definitive answer. His faith and trust were so that he would not move unless he had confirmation or an alternative plan from God.

David Seeks God’s Wisdom and Guidance

The scripture records nine times when David specifically “inquired (or asked) of the Lord.” However, based on the prayers of the psalms, we can conclude that this was a lifestyle practice in the life of this man after God’s own heart.

We are going to look at some of these examples from scriptures as David seeks after God and then glean some understanding for our own lives.

Example #1: Purity and Patience

When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,”  he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

 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.”  So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. – 1 Samuel 23:1-5 NIV

First, David’s reasoning was pure. He wanted to save a city of Israelites against an invading army. We should only ask of the Lord if we know our heart motives are in the right place. Are we seeking to do good and not gain for our own fleshly desires?

Second, David was willing to ask the Lord again (even though he had an answer) to alleviate the fears of his companions. Sometimes others are a step behind and that’s ok. We must be patient and willing to continue to pray and ask God to give them guidance and counsel as well.

Finally, when we know that God has said go, we can ensure that He is fighting the battle for us and will gain the victory. Purity and patience paid off for David and it will for us too. Don’t give up on doing good when God has said go!

Example #2: Humility

David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will.”

 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will.”

 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there. – 1 Samuel 23:10-13 NIV

First, David’s manner of address to the Lord is full of humility. He refers to God with respect, “Lord, God of Israel” and he refers to himself as “your servant.” Our approach to a great and powerful king should always be full of humble respect.

This passage of scripture makes me a bit angry. David just saved the lives of the people in Keilah and now they are are going to give David up to Saul to die in order to save themselves. I think if I was David, I would regret saving them. However, David quietly takes his escape and the Lord preserves his life.

The lesson I hear is this: we can’t control others actions. We are only responsible for our own. God is in control. He protects us and leads us when we are upright. He will deal with the rest. It’s a further lesson in humble service to God regardless of the outcome.

Example #3: Strength

When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.  So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.  David’s two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.  David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelek, “Bring me the ephod.” Abiathar brought it to him,  and David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?”

“Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” – 1 Samuel 30:3-8 NIV

This scene is tragic. The town where the David and his men along with their families had been living is burned with fire, David’s two wives and children have been captured, along with the other men’s families. And now, the men are talking about stoning David!

Verse 6 says “But David found strength in the Lord his God.” David cried, yes, and he was upset, yes. But, he didn’t act on impulse or out of anger. He didn’t try and defend himself. His first action was to inquire of the Lord.

It took strength and courage in the face of this persecution to stand up and do what was right. It took much strength to be patient and wait on God rather than taking matters into his own hands.

It’s easy to think, “Of course he should go after his family. Why would he have to ask God?” However, what if David and his men entered a trap, then no one would have been saved. Or, what if God had worked a miracle and the families would have been returned in another way that very night, they would have missed out on a blessing.

It is always better to have the strength to be still, ask, listen, and patiently wait on the direction of the Lord. To stand up to the nay sayers by trusting in God, His timing, and His deliverance.

Example #4: Wisdom for Each New Day

Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;  so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” -2 Samuel 5:18-19 NIV

Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim;  so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees.  As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” -2 Samuel 5:22-24 NIV

The Philistines were after David. So, David asks God should we fight them? Are you with us and will we win? God says yes and they did. But, the Philistines didn’t learn their lesson because just a few verses later, we see they are back for more.

Now, it may seem to us like David already had his answer, He was told to go and that God would give him victory. But, David realizes something, each new attack by the enemy requires prayer and guidance from the Lord.

We do not have the luxury to assume that we are good because we studied the Bible yesterday, or because we feel we prayed up a few day ago. That spiritual high from a victory can very quickly turn to a low.

Notice, when David inquires a second time that the answer is “no”. God did not want him to go and attack the Philistines out right like the last battle. God gave him specific instructions to “circle around back and wait for the sound of marching near the trees.” God does not play games or waste time. When he gives commands, there is a reason.

We would be wise to be like David and commit to pray in each and every situation for guidance and direction. Each trial and tribulation presents its own unique challenges and the enemy is crafty. Only God is capable of devising a plan that will lead to our triumph.

Example #5: Promise Keeper

During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” – 2 Samuel 21:1 NIV

More than 400 years before David’s birth, in the days of Joshua, Israel was tricked into making a covenant with Gibeonites that they would live in their land and not be destroyed (Joshua 9). Saul’s crime was not only in killing the Gibeonites but also in breaking this treaty that was long held with the nation of Israel as a whole and thus in the name of their God.

This brings to light important truths for us about keeping our promises to God and others:

• God expects us to keep our promises.

• No amount of time or passing on of people allows us to default on our original promise.

• God may give us time to repent and correct our mistakes, but we will suffer the consequences for broken promises.

• It is never too late to correct failed promises. Saul was gone but God allowed David to make it right.

We know all of this to be true because our God is a Promise Keeping God. Joshua 21:5 NIV records: “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” David prays in Psalm 119:140 NIV: “Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.“

And, we know that the ultimate promise was fulfilled in Jesus as the coming Messiah to save us from our sins and reconcile us to God. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV) We await the return of this glory Savior knowing that God’s promises never fail.

How to Seek the Lord Like David

David’s dependence on the Lord was a life long commitment based on past experiences, close, intimate knowledge of who God was to him, and faith in the future hope of eternity. He made mistakes but mostly he desired to please the Lord.

Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because of this fact, we know that David’s example is still for us to follow. The expectations we see in the Old Testament for prayer and dependency are not void, they are the same truths that God has expected from his people from the beginning of time until now.

In order to seek God like David:

1. Take EVERY thought captive to Christ.
   • We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV
2. Pray without ceasing.
   • Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
3. Believe that God will answer.
   • If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-7 NIV
4. Obey and trust regardless if you like the answer or not.
   • Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
5. Let God fight your battles.
   • If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:18-19 NIV