How David Sought God's Will

How did David so clearly discern God's will? We might assume an audible voice, but there seems to be a clue into a slightly different manner of communication with God that we might not have thought of.

In 1 Kingdoms 23 (1 Samuel), Saul had just wiped out the family of Abimelech for giving David the showbread, that is, aiding the "enemy". Abimelech's son, Abiathar, escapes and finds refuge with David, with an ephod. The writer makes clear that Abiathar, a Levite, a priest, had the ephod.

We read of David discerning, early in the chapter, whether he should go attack the Philistines to save the city of Keilah. Soon afterward, David finds out Saul is coming for him, and David needs to know what to do. He says to Abiathar:

"Bring the ephod of the Lord."

I wondered if it was the ephod which held the Urim and Thummim, the lots used in the Temple to find the Lord's will or judgment in a matter. I had to look it up, but the Urim and Thummim are actually kept in the breastplate (or breatpiece). However, the breastplate is attached to the ephod. Ah-ha! The text suggests that the ephod is important for this decision, and the lots are kept in the breastplate, attached to the ephod. So, when we see the Lord say, "Go and attack these Philistines in Keilah" and then, "[Saul] will close in upon you", that was determined from the casting of lots.

I am definitely not suggesting we start casting lots to determine the Lord's will, but the beauty of the Urim and Thummim system is that nobody had to worry that the choice was corrupted by any individual's own will. And interestingly, we see Saul anointed by the prophet Samuel, then later, without any possible input from Samuel, Saul is selected out from among his family and tribe by lots.

The equivalent in the Orthodox Church is living under obedience. Not that your spiritual father is perfect, but it cuts out our own personal will, keeping it from affecting our decisions.

Comments

  1. Ignatius StrangeTuesday, March 03, 2020

    Here are a couple of extra tid-bits from David's life which I have heard in the Canon of St. Andrew these past couple days of Clean Week:

    If David, the father of our Divine Lord, doubly sinned of old, my soul, when he
    was pierced with the arrow of adultery and struck with the spear of remorse
    for murder, yet thou hast a sickness graver than deeds in thy will and
    appetites.

    David once joined sin to sin, for he mixed adultery with murder, yet he
    immediately offered double repentance. But thou my soul, hast done things
    more wicked without repenting to God.

    David of old composed a song, painting it as in a picture, by which he exposes
    the deed he had done, crying: Have mercy on me, for against Thee only have
    I sinned, Who art God of all. Cleanse me.

    ReplyDelete

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