Inquire of the Lord rather than Limit Him

“Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.” [1]

David was in a fluid situation. His king made him out to be a traitor. His king wanted him dead. So, David asked the king of Moab to allow his parents to remain in Moab. David’s father Jesse was the grandson of Ruth the Moabite. “Till I know what God will do for me.” He was relying on God for minute by minute guidance during his ever changing circumstances.

“He brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.” [2]

While on the cross, Jesus said to John, “’Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” [3] This act of Jesus is another reflection of His connection to David, and to the prophecies that Messiah would come from the line of David. As David provided a safe place for his parents so did Jesus for his mother.

“Now the prophet Gad said to David, ‘Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go to the land of Judah.’ So, David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.’” [4]

David relied on prayer and prophesy to navigate escapes from those who sought to arrest and destroy him. While some may frown upon the gift of prophesy, which, by the way, is mentioned in the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation, when needing a miracle from God, they just might appreciate the gift. I know I did when I was a missionary in China.

“Then they told David, saying, ‘Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.’ Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’ And the Lord said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.’” [5]

Though on the run from his king, David asked the Lord about attacking the Philistines. They were about to loot his nation’s food supply. The Lord gave David the greenlight.

“But David’s men said to him, ‘Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?’ Then David inquired of the Lord once again. And the Lord answered him and said, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.’” [6]

Due to the expressions of fear from his men, David doubled back to the Lord and asked the Lord once again for direction. The Lord assured David that he would prevail, and he did.

There are similar stories to David’s in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul was arrested and held in prison. Would he get to preach to crowds again? “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” [7] Yes, he would. I am sure that this word from the Lord did cheer him up.

I’m sure David also prayed about the people who wanted to join themselves to him while he was living in a cave. He had nothing to offer them except the overflow of his vibrant relationship with the Lord.

“David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So, when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So, he became captain over them. And there were about 400 men with him.” [8]

God added people to David at a low point in his life. God’s Word reminds us not to limit God. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” [9]

May the Lord bless you as you serve Him!

[1] 1 Samuel 22:3
[2] 1 Samuel 22:4
[3] John 19:27
[4] 1 Samuel 22:5
[5] 1 Samuel 23:1-2
[6] 1 Samuel 23:3-4
[7] Acts 23:11
[8] 1 Samuel 22:1-2