20241228

trusting God for the details
1 Chronicles 14:1-17
1 Chronicles 14:1 King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters to build a palace for him.
1 Chronicles 14:2 Then David knew that Yahveh had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
1 Chronicles 14:3 David took more wives in Jerusalem, and he became the father of more sons and daughters.
1 Chronicles 14:4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
1 Chronicles 14:5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,
1 Chronicles 14:6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia,
1 Chronicles 14:7 Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.
1 Chronicles 14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of David; when David heard of this, he went out to face them.
1 Chronicles 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and raided in the Valley of Rephaim,
1 Chronicles 14:10 so David inquired of God, “Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” Yahveh replied, “Attack, and I will hand them over to you.”
1 Chronicles 14:11 So the Israelites went up to Baal-perazim, and David defeated the Philistines there. Then David said, “Like a bursting flood, God has used me to burst out against my enemies.” Therefore, they named that place Yahveh Bursts Out.
1 Chronicles 14:12 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire.
1 Chronicles 14:13 Once again, the Philistines raided the valley.
1 Chronicles 14:14 So David again inquired of God, and God answered him, “Do not pursue them directly. Circle around them and attack them opposite the balsam trees.
1 Chronicles 14:15 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
1 Chronicles 14:16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.
1 Chronicles 14:17 Then David’s fame spread throughout the lands, and Yahveh caused all the nations to be terrified of him.
trusting God for the details
In each of the battles described in this chapter, the Philistines made a raid in the valley, and David responded by first praying for God’s will. In each case, God’s will was the same, but the means of obeying it was different. Often when we come to the LORD seeking his will, we do not stay on our knees long enough to discover his way – the means of obeying his will. It takes faith to trust God not only for a “yes” or “no”answer, but for the details.
LORD, give us faith to trust you for the details.