The term "enquired" in the Bible often refers to the act of seeking information or guidance, typically from God or a prophet. This action is significant in the biblical narrative as it demonstrates a reliance on divine wisdom and direction. The Hebrew word often translated as "enquired" is "sha'al," which means to ask, inquire, or consult.

Old Testament Instances:

1. David's Enquiries:
King David frequently enquired of the Lord, seeking divine guidance in his decisions and battles. For instance, in 1 Samuel 23:2 , "So 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.'" This passage highlights David's dependence on God's direction for military strategy and his role as a leader.

2. Saul's Enquiries:
King Saul also enquired of the Lord, but his relationship with God was marked by disobedience and eventual rejection. In 1 Samuel 28:6 , "He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets." Saul's inability to receive an answer from God underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in maintaining a relationship with the divine.

3. The Israelites:
The Israelites, as a nation, often enquired of God through the priests and prophets. In Judges 20:27-28 , "And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days, the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) 'Shall we again go out to battle against the Benjamites our brothers, or should we stop?' The LORD answered, 'Go, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hands.'" This instance illustrates the communal aspect of seeking God's will in times of national crisis.

New Testament Context:

While the specific term "enquired" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept of seeking divine guidance continues. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, as seen in James 1:5 , "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Theological Significance:

The act of enquiring of the Lord is a demonstration of humility and recognition of God's sovereignty. It reflects a heart that is open to divine instruction and willing to submit to God's will. This practice is a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of prayer and seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life. The biblical narrative consistently shows that those who enquire of the Lord with a sincere heart are often met with divine guidance and support, while those who do not, or who do so with wrong motives, face challenges and consequences.

Epistle vii. To Gennadius, Patrician.
... And, being unable to bear any longer the frequent complaints that have reached us
about such things, we committed them to be enquired into to our brother and ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle vii to gennadius patrician.htm

John x. 22-24
... setting themselves to the contrary. But that they enquired not for the
sake of learning, the end showed. For Him whom they deemed ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

Wherefore a Man, Fronto by Name, who was an Officer of the Court ...
... Theodorus, therefore, himself being a good man, approached, and seeing Amun across
first without a drop of water falling from him, enquired how he had got over ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 57.htm

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched ... I.--- THE STUDENT, AND
II."HIS THEME. I. "The prophets have enquired and searched diligently.". ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... 9. Holy Gideon, then, foresaw this, that the nations of the Gentiles also would
drink by the reception of faith, and therefore he enquired more diligently, for ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Epistle xxxix. To Eulogius, Patriarch of Alexandria.
... John 11:34), I felt exactly as you felt, that, if they say that the Lord did not
know where Lazarus had been buried, and for that reason enquired, they will ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxxix to eulogius patriarch.htm

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... I am to give him his answer"". "To what?" enquired Angela. "To his proposal.". ... "What
good will that do?" enquired Angela, "Could you not write it to him?". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

Psalm XLVIII.
... One is it with great care to be enquired for, with great solicitude
investigated, with labour also to be occupied and ascended. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlviii.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... without shirt or waistcoat. He looked at me sternly, and enquired in the
French language what was my pleasure. I apologised for ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 3.htm

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... "Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the ... "I will yet for
this be enquired of by the house of Israel." Prayer, then, is an enquiry. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

Enquired (12 Occurrences)
...Enquired (12 Occurrences). Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the
wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (KJV). ...
/e/enquired.htm - 10k

Enquire (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers ...
/e/enquire.htm - 21k

Diligently (85 Occurrences)
... Diligently (85 Occurrences). Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called
the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (KJV WBS) ...
/d/diligently.htm - 34k

Judicious (2 Occurrences)
... Daniel 1:20 And in all matters of judicious wisdom, as to which the king enquired
of them, he found them ten times better than all the scribes and magicians ...
/j/judicious.htm - 7k

Wroth (65 Occurrences)
... the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years
old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the ...
/w/wroth.htm - 26k

Fellowhelper (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers ...
/f/fellowhelper.htm - 6k

Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years
old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the ...
/f/forth.htm - 36k

Enquirest (1 Occurrence)

/e/enquirest.htm - 6k

Mend (7 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 4:52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they
said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ...
/m/mend.htm - 9k

Privily (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired
of them diligently what time the star appeared. (KJV ASV). ...
/p/privily.htm - 12k

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