Move forward and complete whatever project you have — Then, pray.
Is that how it goes?
Well, if you’re anything like me, this is many times the process.
Today’s Bible study lesson is simple.
We’ll discover how David made his decisions.
Also, we’ll see the true motive of Saul when he prayed.
Both sought God in their own way. But, with different motives and outcomes.
1 Samuel – Saul Pursues David with a Passion
After David fought the Philistines and saved the city of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1-6), his situation worsened. Saul was not about to let David get away this time.
Let’s read the rest of the passage…
“When it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”
So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”
Then David said, “Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account.
Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please, tell Your servant.”
And the Lord said, “He will come down.”
Then David said, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?”
And the Lord said, “They will hand you over.”
Then David and his men, about six hundred, rose up and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go.
When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit.
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand him over to him.
Saul Pursues David
Now David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph, at Horesh.
And Jonathan, Saul’s son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.
He said to him, “Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second in command to you; and Saul my father knows that as well.”
So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh, while Jonathan went to his house.
Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not keeping himself hidden with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
Now then, O king, come down, since you fully desire to do so; and our part shall be to hand him over to the king.”
Saul said, “May you be blessed of the Lord, since you have had compassion on me.
Go now, be more persistent, and investigate and see his place where he is hiding, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.
So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he keeps himself hidden, and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.
When Saul and his men went to seek him, they informed David, and he came down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard about it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon.
Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, while Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to apprehend them.
But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have launched an attack against the land!”
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division.
And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.” – 1 Samuel 23:7-29 (NASB)
Saul vs David – Decisions
This story tells us of two decisions — one from God and one from self.
As we study 1 Samuel, it becomes clear that David seeks God’s advice and blessing BEFORE he makes major decisions.
Saul, on the other hand, looks for any signs which will get him what he really wants.
From God – or Not?
Our lesson today is to check out our motives before assuming the green light comes from God.
First, let’s ask these two questions:
“How badly do I want this for myself?”
And…
“Is this God’s will or mine?”
When we attempt a project or decide to make decisions about something important to us, let’s follow the lead of David.
He constantly asked God for guidance. But, more importantly, he listened closely to God’s answer.
Final question: “God, will this decision glorify you?”
Love In Christ
– Bob
If you would like more information about the experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at John 3:16.