Inquire?

I’ve always been intrigued by the way Scripture describes King David—a man after God’s own heart. Many times as I read the Psalms or passages about David, I try to understand more about what it means to be a person after God’s heart.

The first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles contain Israel’s history from creation to the Babylonian exile. Chapter ten shares the death of King Saul and leads us to the reign of David. The writer of Chronicles doesn’t spend much time telling us about the life of Saul, he simply tells us why he died:

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse” (1 Chronicles 10:13-14, NIV).

This verse clearly describes things Saul did wrong—he was unfaithful to the Lord and he did not keep the word of the Lord. Yet we also see something Saul failed to do—inquire of the Lord. If we were asked to describe what it means to be a person after God’s heart, we might say to be faithful to God and to keep His word. But would we immediately think—someone who inquires of the Lord?

This is an interesting word: inquire. Webster defines it this way: 1. to seek information; ask a question or questions 2. to carry out an examination or investigation—to seek information about.

As we read chapters 14-15 in 1 Chronicles, we see David consistently inquiring of the Lord, and learning costly lessons when he didn’t.

David’s life reveals many insights into being a person after God’s heart—a willingness to wait on God’s timing, a hunger for God’s word, a humble attitude, a desire to praise, a willingness to be broken and repentant, and so much more.

But today I’m challenged to inquire of the Lord.