A Study in Leadership: 1 Samuel 23:1-5

God is always willing to hear our concerns and help us lead righteously.  Jesus called upon the Father frequently.  David prayed to God himself and had his priests also inquire of the Lord.  The prophets sought the Lord’s will when He stirred them into action.  When God sends us into the world, He does so with guidance.

David’s network of information tells him the Philistines plan to attack Keilah.  Keilah was a border city near Gath.  Being the harvest time, the men of the city would be working the fields and unprepared to fight.  The harvest would provide plenty of food to plunder and feed the Philistine army.  It was a win-win situation for the Philistines.

The Bible makes no mention of Saul sending a force of soldiers to defend Keilah.  Either Saul didn’t know about the Philistine attack or he didn’t care.  It is hard to believe David’s network would know about the Philistine attack when the official king’s network wouldn’t know the movements of the army of a rival nation.

It is likely Saul was too focused on finding David to care about his protective duties as king.  The king extracted taxes each year in exchange for organizing an army to protect the land.  It was his duty to defend the people, yet Saul didn’t come.

David steps into the gap left by Saul.  This is great leadership.  David knows it is not his place to defend the Hebrew people, yet he also knows God has been collecting outcasts around him.  To David, Keilah feels like an opportunity from God.  Prior to acting, he pauses to ensure his action is from God and not coming from his own pride.

David’s men hadn’t done their discernment.  They weren’t afraid of going against the Philistines; the Philistines were enemies of the Hebrew people and fighting them was par for the course.  David’s men didn’t want to trap themselves between the Philistines and the Hebrew army should it comes.  Fighting Philistines is one thing.  Fighting Philistines and Saul’s army was completely different.  They ask David to inquire again.

It’s not David’s fault he inquires again.  David is ready to move.  He’s ready to follow the Lord.  Being a leader requires being a bridge between the will of God and the needs of the people.  The people weren’t ready to follow.  They lacked assurance.  David takes a moment to return to the Lord and clarify the situation. 

David honors his men, and they follow his great leadership.  David heard them, acted for them, and they follow.  They drive away the Philistine army and capture their provisions.  The Philistines planned to provision themselves using Keilah, but God uses David to provision Keilah using the Philistines.

David steps out in faith in God while listening to his men.  David holds the tension between relying upon God and caring for his people.  God is always willing to hear our concerns and help us lead righteously.