20240512

The king’s Commander

2 Samuel 5:17-25 (JDV)

2 Samuel 5:17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went in search of David, but he heard about it and went down to the stronghold.
2 Samuel 5:18 So the Philistines came and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 5:19 Then David inquired of the Lord: “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” Yahveh replied to David, “Attack, for I will certainly give the Philistines to your hand.”
2 Samuel 5:20 So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there and said, “Like a bursting flood, Yahveh has burst out against my enemies before me.” Therefore, he named that place Baal-perazim (the Lord Bursts Out).
2 Samuel 5:21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.
2 Samuel 5:22 The Philistines came up again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
2 Samuel 5:23 So David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not attack directly, but circle around behind them and come at them opposite the balsam trees.
2 Samuel 5:24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then Yahveh will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
2 Samuel 5:25 So David did exactly as Yahveh commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

the king’s Commander

With the entire nation now united under him, David realizes the tremendous responsibility he has to lead them. One mistake from him and the entire kingdom may be lost. So, David devises an important battle tactic. Before each engagement, he inquires of the LORD. He does not presume that the last battle’s orders still apply. He keeps close to his Commander. No Commander-in-Chief should make decisions without him.