It is an incontrovertible fact that David was successful in all his military campaigns. He went from victory to victory. From battle to battle, his rate of success never waned. He seemed to have had a timeless formula for waging and winning war. That was the main reason why Saul became increasingly afraid of him. In fact all Saul’s plans to have David killed in battle proved unsuccessful. What then was David’s secret of uninterrupted success in military campaigns? The answer is amazingly simple: he had learnt to WAIT FOR GOD. These three words, as simple as they are, represent the wisdom that has eluded much of the Church family today. David’s characteristic response to an imminent or potential war was to inquire of the Lord. He would not venture into a battle until he had received a divine approval. Not only did he seek God for approval, but equally for strategy. It is easy to see why God called him “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22). David’s attitude of waiting for God was a great distinction between him and Saul, his predecessor.
The following experience David had with the Philistines helps to put this aspect of his character in perspective for us. “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim” (2 Sam 5:17-18). The anointing attracts Satan’s hostility, because it is the manifestation of God’s power through a human vessel to destroy the works of Satan, while expanding the rule of God on earth.
David’s immediate response to the report that the Philistines were searching for him was to retreat into the stronghold for a meeting with God. David knew that the fact that he had been anointed over Israel, did not authorize him to act independently of God’s guidance. “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”” (2 Sam 5:19). Remember that David had military experience and skill, yet he did not presume that those things were enough to secure him victory over the Philistines. He was aware that, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; [and that] Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps 127:1). It was clear to David that if the Lord did not deliver the Philistines into his hand, his efforts would be futile. The divine assurance, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” (2 Sam 5:19), was the reason why David engaged the Philistines in a battle. The result was that, “… David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.” (2 Sam 5:20).
Interestingly, the Philistines regrouped to fight Israel once again. How would you have expected David to respond to the latter threat of war from the Philistines, given that much of the circumstance which had surrounded the earlier incident was still present? For example, the enemies (the Philistines) and the location (the Valley of Rephaim) for the potential battle were the same. In spite of the similarities of both situations, David followed his standard practice of seeking God for direction. However, in the latter case, God’s strategy for the battle was different: “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” (2 Sam 5:23-24). Note the dynamics that had to play out before David could advance for an attack on the Philistines. But why not go up at once? Why circle around behind them? Why come upon them in front of the mulberry trees? Why wait to hear the sound of marching in the mulberry trees before advancing? Could David not simply employ the same successful strategy he had used during the previous battle? The correct answer is because God said so. Obedience is the only acceptable response to a divine instruction.
“And David did so, as the Lord commanded him…” (2 Sam 5:25). In as much as David had skill and experience (and as necessary as they were), he relied on neither of them. Instead, he waited for guidance. No amount of human wisdom will come close to God’s wisdom, much less equal it. When we follow God’s wisdom, we experience His help. David’s adherence to God’s battle plans led again to his victory over the Philistines. In the words of the Bible, “… he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.” (2 Sam 5:25). Therefore, WAIT FOR THE LORD. Shalom.
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