1. 1 Samuel 23:2 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does David’s inquiry reveal about his heart?

1 Samuel 23:2 (ESV)

2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

The Hebrew text presents David’s inquiry in a positive light. It appears as if he wanted to go and help the people of Keilah, thereby taking up the tasks of a king (see 1 Samuel 9:16) even though he did not officially occupy the throne.1