1 Samuel 23:2-4 (NKJV) 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.” But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then 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.”
David had a habit of inquiring of the Lord before entering battle or responding to difficult situations. Talking to God was his way of life, and seeking the Lord was always his first step, not a last-minute cry for help. Time in God’s presence was the source of his courage. His confidence did not come from military strength, but from knowing who God is.
Before David attacked Keilah, he sought the Lord’s direction, and God told him to go ahead. When David’s men grew fearful, David inquired of the Lord again. God promised that He would deliver David’s enemies into his hand. This strengthened David’s faith in God and prevented him from being fearful. He trusted that God was with him, God would fight for him and protect them.
After defeating the Philistines, King Saul planned to besiege the city of Keilah. David consulted the Lord, asking, “Will Saul come down…? Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” (1 Samuel 23:10,12). God responded: “He will come down… They will deliver you.” (1 Samuel 23:11-12). David then withdrew to avoid being captured. This shows that God offers specific, strategic intelligence.
David didn’t ask vague questions like “What should I do?” but pointed, strategic questions about outcomes (“Will they deliver me?”) and feasibility (“Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”). This shows a relationship in which practical, earthly decisions were brought before a Heavenly Father.
The problem with many of us is that we already have in mind what we want to do or have already done it, and we just want God to bless our plan. However, true seeking requires submitting to God’s plan, even when it contradicts human logic or personal gain.
The Lord told David not to remain in Keilah because the people would hand him over to King Saul. David remained obedient even though God’s answer meant abandoning a city he and his men had just saved by risking their lives. Humanly speaking, it would have been a strategic moment for David to establish himself there and win the loyalty of the people he had just delivered. Yet David wisely sought the Lord rather than assuming their support, and God protected David from being captured by King Saul, allowing him to fulfil his life’s calling.
The same God who spoke to David, Moses, and Joshua would like to speak to you, lead you, and guide you.
Reflection: In what ways are you intentionally seeking to bring your priorities and choices into alignment with God’s will?
Sermon Series： Walking With God
大卫寻求耶和华
撒母耳记上 23:2–4 所以大卫求问耶和华说：“我去攻打那些非利士人，可以不可以？”耶和华对大卫说：“你可以去攻打非利士人，拯救基伊拉。”跟随大卫的人对他说：“我们在犹大地这里尚且惧怕，何况往基伊拉去攻打非利士人的军旅呢？”大卫又求问耶和华。耶和华回答说：“你起身下基伊拉去，我必将非利士人交在你手里。”
大卫有一个习惯：在进入争战或面对困难处境之前，先求问耶和华。与神对话是他生活的一部分，寻求神的心意总是他首先采取的行动，而不是到了无路可走时才向神发出的求助。他在神同在中的时间，是他勇气的源头。他的信心并不是建立在军事力量上，而是建立在他对神是谁的认识上。
在攻打基伊拉之前，大卫先寻求耶和华的指引，神告诉他可以前去。当大卫的跟随者感到惧怕时，大卫再次求问耶和华。神应许会将敌人交在他手中，这坚定了大卫对神的信心，使他不再被惧怕所左右。他深信神与他们同在，神必为他们争战，并保护他们。
在击败非利士人之后，扫罗王计划围攻基伊拉城。大卫再次求问耶和华，说：“扫罗下来不下来？……基伊拉人会不会把我和跟随我的人交在扫罗手里？”（撒上23:10，12）神回答说：“他必下来……他们也必把你交出来。”（撒上23:11-12）于是，大卫选择离开那里，以避免被捉拿。这让我们看见，神不仅会引导我们，也会赐下具体而有策略性的指引。
大卫并不是提出模糊的问题，例如“我该怎么办？”而是提出清晰而具体的问题，比如关于结果的：“他们会不会把我交出来？”以及关于行动可行性的：“我是否应该去攻打这些非利士人？”这表明，在他的生命中，与神的关系是实际而真实的——他把现实生活中的决定带到天父面前。
很多时候，我们的问题在于：我们心里已经决定要怎么做，甚至已经开始行动，只是希望神为我们的计划祝福。然而，真正的寻求意味着愿意顺服神的计划，即使那与人的逻辑或个人利益相冲突。
主告诉大卫不要留在基伊拉，因为城里的人最终会把他交给扫罗。即使这个答案意味着要离开一个他们刚刚冒着生命危险拯救的城市，大卫仍然选择顺服。从人的角度来看，那本是大卫建立地位、赢得百姓拥戴的好机会。但大卫没有凭自己的判断行事，而是选择寻求耶和华。正因如此，神保护他不被扫罗捉拿，使他能够完成神在他生命中的呼召。
那位曾向大卫、摩西和约书亚说话的神，今天同样愿意对你说话，引导你、带领你。
默想：
在你的生活中，你是如何有意识地把自己的优先次序和人生选择带到神面前，使之与神的心意对齐？
讲章系列：与神同行