Scripture Daily

Context No. 3229 of 4322 · 1 Samuel

Context · Reflection

1 Samuel 23:6-11: in context

6When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. 7Saul was told that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.” 8Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. 9David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10Then David said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. 11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? LORD, the God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant.” The LORD said, “He will come down.”

David, sheltering in the town of Keilah, learns that Saul is planning to besiege the town to trap him. So David asks the priest to bring the ephod, and he inquires directly of the LORD: will Saul come down, as I have heard? Will the men of Keilah hand me over into his hand? And the LORD answers plainly: he will come down.

David faces a dangerous decision with incomplete information, and he does the wise thing: he inquires of the LORD. He does not guess or trust his own read of the situation; he asks God directly, with specific questions, will Saul come? will the townspeople surrender me? And God answers. There is a model here of seeking God's guidance in real decisions, not vaguely, but with honest, specific questions brought before him. When we face uncertain and dangerous choices, the first move is not analysis alone but asking God, and then acting on what he shows.

When I face an uncertain decision, do I bring my specific questions honestly to God and seek his guidance before I act?

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