David’s attitude of absolute submission to the God of Israel is undoubtedly uncommon. The fact that he was anointed king of Israel, even at a very tender age is enough to initiate a major drifting from his normal way of thinking. But on the contrary, he never behaved his age when King Saul was after his life. He knew he was going to be the next king of Israel, but he still had a great respect and reverence for the anointed reigning king Saul.
This I found very peculiar to David and a great virtue at the same time. David vowed that he would not stretch his hand to harm Saul, the anointed servant of God, despite the devilish advances; which King Saul had perpetrated against him, but never had his way. God issued directions to David every time he chose to take any step or make a major decision regarding any matter.
David, even with the royal aura, sought the face of God regarding every matter before taking an action. No matter what the pressure felt like, God must sanction his request before he took a step in any direction. This became a major style of David in relating with God on matters either affecting him or the whole people of Israel. When the Moabites invaded Jerusalem, David sought the face of God, and God commanded him to proceed into war with the Moabites. This is an attitude that is not often found amongst the calibre of people that fall into the monarchical class of King David. Monarchs are special beings, whose words are laws and they are usually not subject to any form of human or spiritual structure. Once the enthronement is certified by whatever proclamation, they become superior over a territory and everything becomes a subject to them. David’s greatness amongst all the kings that reigned in Israel is incomparable because of his uncompromising submission to the sovereignty of the Almighty God of Israel.
It was a major characteristic of one of the greatest kings in the history of Israel. He sought the face of God for every battle he went on and every attack on the enemy was a response to God’s direction. There were very memorable direction requests he made to God and King David got a response from God before embarking on the Journey.
“Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors. Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah” (1 Samuel 23:1-2).
This was a very close danger, even when the people were afraid of going on this mission, and David encouraged them because the Lord has spoken even the second time (1 Samuel 23:4) “Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” The authenticity of God’s sovereignty is at work when His covenant title is called in a bid to receive direction in any situation.
In 1 Samuel 23:10-11 “Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.” And the Lord further told David the men of Keilah will even deliver him into the hands of Saul. To David, it was a depressing response from God and he departed from Keilah. He relocated into the widerness of Ziph, as he preferred to move away from Keilah’s neighbourhood in order not to endanger the lives of the people of Keilah, but as David migrated from place to place, seeking refuge from danger, the Lord was his shield and he was protected.
Even in situations of a colossal loss and wipe-out by the enemy, David sought the face of God for recovery. The Amalekites have invaded Philistine country, and destroyed Ziklag and taken all they had, including their wives and children, leaving them nothing. The tragic event drove David and his men to the wall, that they wept and wept till they had no strength in them. Despite the state of David’s heart, the people blamed him for all the misfortunes that had happened to them, but David encouraged himself in the Lord and lifted his eyes unto the Lord for direction on the matter. “And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all” (1 Samuel 30:8-9). And later in the chapter, “…and David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.” (1 Samuel 30:18).
I have discovered that, regardless of our level of maturity in our walk with God, the more we seek God’s counsel, the more He is honoured and pleased with us.
His heart towards us is constantly yearning that we seek His face in all decisions we take, Philippians 4:6 “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God” God’s usual responses to David’s inquires are signs of His willingness to hear us. Do you seek the face of God in all matters of your life?
