2 Samuel 5:13-19: a reflection

13David took more concubines and wives for himself out of Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. 17When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 19David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hand?” The LORD said to David, “Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

When the Philistines march out in force against the newly anointed King David, David does not simply rely on his own military skill or rush into battle. Instead, he inquires of the LORD: Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand? And God answers, Go up, for I will certainly give them into your hand. David sought God's guidance before acting, and only then went forward, with God's assurance. Before the battle, he asked God.

Notice David's instinct: to inquire of the LORD before acting. He was a capable warrior, experienced, with every reason to trust his own judgment. Yet he did not presume; he brought the decision to God first, asking whether to go and whether God would give the victory. His success flowed not merely from his skill but from his habit of seeking God's guidance before he acted.

That is a habit worth cultivating. We are prone to make our decisions and plans on our own, relying on our own judgment and experience, and only afterward, perhaps, asking God to bless what we have already decided. David shows a better pattern: to inquire of the LORD first, to seek his guidance before acting, to bring our decisions to God before we make them. Before your battles and decisions, ask God. Do not presume on your own judgment, however capable you are. Seek his guidance first, as David did, and go forward in dependence on him rather than on yourself. Inquire of the LORD before you act, and let his direction, not merely your own judgment, guide your way.

Lord, before going into battle, David inquired of you, asking whether to go and whether you would give the victory, rather than presuming on his own skill. Give me that instinct to seek your guidance before I act. I am prone to make my decisions and plans on my own, relying on my own judgment, and only afterward asking you to bless what I have already decided. Teach me instead to inquire of you first, to bring my decisions to you before I make them, to seek your direction before acting. Before my battles and choices, help me ask you. Keep me from presuming on my own judgment, and let your guidance, not merely my own reasoning, direct my way. I would go forward in dependence on you.