“David’s mighty Men”
By James Tissot (1836-1902)

Do this, before you run!

By Helen Jesze, 6^th May 2022

‘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. 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.”’

II Samuel 5:17+19 NKJV

‘Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, “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.” ‘

II Samuel 5:23 + 24 NKJV

David had been king over Judah for two years when the elders of the people came and anointed him king also over Israel. Here we read that when David’s old enemies, the Philistines, heard about him being established in his kingdom, they all came and set up their armies to fight him. As soon as David knew this, he asked the Lord if he should go up and fight them. David was a seasoned man of war. He and his “mighty men” had fought many battles and used many strategies to win victories, yet he humbled himself and asked the Lord what he should do. The first time, God gave him the go- ahead, assuring him that he would win the victory, and that is what happened.

When I read this recently, I thought how this often happens in our lives. You have probably heard the phrase: New levels, new devils! It is certainly true that when we come to a new level, a new understanding, a new position in God and his Word – Satan comes to weaken or distract us, to attack in various ways, trying to put us off course, just as the Philistines came when they heard of David and his new position.

But David did the right thing – he enquired of the Lord. This is important for us too. Lord, how shall I deal with this new attack? Give me your wisdom, show me your divine strategies to stand firm and rout the enemy!

Then came a second attack from the Philistines; once more, David asks the Lord what he should do. He could have thought: God told me what to do last time, I’ll do that again. Probably many of us would have done the same, but no, he asked the Lord. Here God changed his tactics. They were not to show themselves to the enemy from the front, but come round behind them, all the time listening for the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees. (God’s marvellous sound-effects, better than any Hollywood can offer!) When they heard the signal, they should attack full on, for God would be fighting for his people! David informed his captains and mighty men of the new plan, they obeyed, and God caused them to win another great victory!

We might wonder why God did it differently this time. He does not always work the same way in our lives, either. We cannot put him and his ways in a box, thinking we have everything under control and know exactly how things will turn out. God may have many reasons why he changed the tactic for David, or he may just have wanted to test David’s obedience and humility. I am sure he wants to do that in our lives too, sometimes!

So dear friend, let’s “enquire of the Lord”, ask his direction and methods instead of running ahead of him, and we will see new victories and be established in a new way in our Christian life!