1 Samuel 23:1-5 – Better to move with God than the general consensus

The purpose why Saul was appointed as king of Israel was made clear in 1 Samuel 9:16. At that point, Samuel was told by God saying, “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people because their cry has come to Me.”  But instead of doing what he was commissioned to do, Saul was obsessed with pursuing and destroying David. On the other hand, David not only took down Goliath but was also consistently fighting the Philistines and gaining ground for Israel. He was fulfilling the purpose that Saul was allotted to do.  He had unwittingly taken over the work that Saul was supposed to do and was rescuing the people from the Philistines. The first fourteen verses of 1 Samuel 23 show us that while he was running for his life, he was still fighting the Philistines and helping the people of Israel.

In verse 1 we are given a glimpse of how differently David responded to the situation that the people of Israel faced. When he heard that the Philistines were fighting against Keilah and plundering their threshing floor, his immediate response was to inquire of the Lord. He factored God into the decision he had to make. This is something we must also learn to do intuitively. If we do this consistently, we will be able to discern and walk in the center of God’s will. So regarding the news of the Philistine’s attack of Keilah, David prayed to the Lord immediately. He was told, “Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah.”

David’s men were not keen to go along with his plan. Unlike David, they were more self-focused. Their immediate consideration was self-preservation. Their concern was for their own safety. So they said, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?” However, their unwillingness did not disturb David. He just went to confirm with the Lord again. It shows how wise he was. He did not disregard their fear but instead, turned to the Lord again. David confirmed one more time with the Lord and again he had the affirmation, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I, will give the Philistines into your hand.” David went ahead without hesitation. David shows us here that he was a man who would fearlessly move in the direction of God. He shows us that moving with God is more important than seeking a general consensus. Verse 5 tells us “David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines; and he led away their livestock and struck them with a great slaughter. Thus David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.”

David would be more comfortable securing his own safety and dodging Saul. And it would not be wrong for him not to meddle with the problems the people of Keilah had with the Philistines. But being a person who had set his heart on God, he could not disregard God’s overarching plan and purpose for his people. He did not consider his own needs only. Once he had ascertained what God wanted him to do, despite his own plight he went about doing it, even though others disagreed with him. Knowing and obeying God’s will is more important than moving with the general consensus. Once we can ascertain what God wants, no matter how many others disagree, God and us always form the majority. Obeying God is more important than pandering to people’s advice.