2 Samuel 5:17 – 25 “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.
Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
“Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. (The Lord bursts out.) There the Philistines abandoned their idols, and David and his men carried them away.
Once again, the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”
So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.”
Now that David is king, he has become the new target for the Philistines. The Philistines still remember Goliath and all the other times that David has defeated them. Now seems the perfect time to get revenge… except for God.
The Philistines spread out all over a valley, and God advises David that He has already delivered the Philistines into David’s hand. The Philistines are so badly defeated that they even leave their idols behind, and David and his men carry those idols away. (Question: do they destroy these idols or do these idols become a snare for some of David’s men?)
The Philistines lick their wounds a little and then return to the same battle ground. Perhaps they think that their earlier defeat was a fluke and that David is really not that great a commander. David asks the Lord for advice, and this time the Lord tells him to sneak around behind the Philistines and attack them in front of a grove of balsam trees. God promises that He will go before David’s army, and the sign for David to move out is the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees.
While David and his men are circling around behind the Philistines, the Philistines are probably watching for them in the same direction from which they attacked earlier. “Where are these ridiculous Israelites?” the Philistines might be wondering. “Have they turned into complete cowards?” Just then, David hears the noise of marching in the tops of the trees, and he and his men pounce on the Philistines. Terrified by the fear that God has put into their hearts, the Philistines flee, only to be struck down by the Israelites as they are running.
APPLICATION: Many times, we make mention of the “fear of the Lord,” as if it were some inconsequential thing. The Philistines would beg to differ. We have no idea what happened once the Lord’s army began advancing ahead of David’s; however, one thing is certain. The Philistines weren’t staying around to see how strong David’s people were. When the Lord’s army overtook the Philistines, the Philistine soldiers suddenly went into a panic. Who knows what the Philistines heard? If David heard the sound of marching feet in the tops of the trees, the Philistines may have heard the sounds of a huge army with chariots. Those big tough Philistine soldiers may have begun having palpitations and difficulty breathing, feeling as if their hearts would beat right through their breastplates. For the Philistines, this was no time to stay and fight. This was the time to run, and run they did. It’s quite likely that the fleeing Philistine soldiers may even have abandoned their armor and weapons in the process, leaving them for the Israelites to collect.
This story is a great inspiration for anybody who has ever tackled a difficult task. God is a God of infinite variety, and He never does anything quite the same way twice. But one key aspect here is the way in which David continues to ask for God’s advice. David knows he needs guidance every step of the way, and he is humble enough to ask God for the battle plan for both battles and not merely for the first one. Many of us would get divine guidance for the first battle and then try to use the same approach for the next one.
Remember the name David gives to the first location in which he defeats the Philistines, Baal – perazim? Don’t be confused by the use of the term “Baal.” While that term could refer to a particular deity, it could also be used as a general term for “Lord,” indicating the One True Living God. This story actually describes two times in which God bursts out against the Philistines. God has been waiting for these moments and for a man who would truly serve Him so that He can demonstrate His mighty power against the demonic gods of the Philistines.
Do you want God to give you divine break – throughs? Remember David. David was careful to ask for God’s advice each time he went to battle, and not merely to use whatever had worked previously. Don’t take God for granted. David also was willing to make a battle plan that seemed a bit crazy, just because God told him to do it that way. Sometimes we think we know more about what we should do than God does. Don’t second – guess God.
Yesterday we spoke about qualifying for divine favor and mentioned that obedience was key. If you want divine break – throughs, obedience is key there also. Truly, if you are to make any progress spiritually, obedience always remains the key.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to listen and to obey and not to argue. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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