1 Chronicles 14:8-12 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. 9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. 11 So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. 12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
David in these verses comes face to face with something to which we can all relate-- opposition. After ruling in Hebron for seven years and six months David had now been declared king of the whole nation of Israel. The Philistines perhaps take this as a slight to the hospitality they showed David when he dwelt among them during the time of his exile. They set the battle in array and come out against Israel.
David does not assume that he has superior forces or tactics. He does not take for granted the blessings of God upon his efforts. David inquired of the LORD according to verse ten. What a lesson for us! When there is trouble... when there is opposition... when decisions must be made... we should inquire of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 14:13-16 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. 14 Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. 16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
God reveals to us an even greater lesson in the record of David's dealing with this second attack of the Philistines. David does not assume the guidance for a previous day's battle will suffice for today's battle. Verse fourteen reveals the fact that David inquired of the LORD again.
This is a priceless lesson for you and I. Just as we are to ask God for daily bread we must ask for daily guidance. The Model Prayer directs to ask that God would lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. This is a plea for daily guidance. It is only through God's guidance that we will see the way of escape from temptation and avoid evil. I know that I have often experienced personal failures that could have been avoided if I had simply sought daily counsel from God. Too often I find myself making today's decisions based on yesterday's wisdom. God has placed His wisdom at our disposal. Wouldn't it be a shame for us to have to live without that wisdom simply because we did not ask?
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Daily Devotional - John 6:1-14 Feeding of the 5,000
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