11 David’s Victories

David’s successes as king over the unified Israelite nation, was due to, as shown in verse 10, “and the Lord God of hosts was with him”.

1 David’s Friend and Ally

While Israel was surrounded by many enemies, David did develop at least one life-long friendship, with Hiram, who was the king of the city-state of Tyre, which located in what is modern-day Lebanon.

Hiram not only furnished cedar trees to build David a palace in Jerusalem, but he provided the carpenters and masons as well:

2 Samue; 5:11-12

The beautiful palace built for him by Hiram was confirmation to David, that the Lord had had indeed established him as king, which would be for the benefit of the nation.

2 The Family Continues to Grow

Unfortunately, David also used his new expansive palace, as an opportunity to grow his family, by adding to his harem, with more wives and concubines, who would bear him more children:

2 Samuel 5:13-15

David’s seeming insatiable desire for more wives was a clear violation of God’s law concerning kings:

Deuteronomy 17:17

3 David’s Victories

As David’s family grew, so did the plans of one of the nation’s longtime enemies, the Philistines:

2 Samuel 5:17-25

The Philistines had to have been concerned, upon learning that David was now, not just the king of Judah, but of the entire nation of Israel.

When he was only Judah’s king, the Philistines probably thought that he considered Israel as much an enemy as they did. But now that the Israelites were now a unified nation, that would make them dangerous in the eyes of the Philistines, who were especially, keenly aware of David’s military abilities and many conquests over them.

Even though, they problem believed it was the opportune time to strike, now that David was living in a palace, and possibly had adopted a life of ease.

This is another reason why the Philistines are looked upon as a “type” of Satan, who always looks for an area of vulnerability in a believer’s life:

1 Peter 5:8

The devil was obviously desiring to bring down and defeat David, and on two fronts:

First, on the home front, the multiple wives and concubines, would lead to a very dysfunctional, and even destructive home life.

Secondly, the devil would use the Philistines in a relentless manner of attack against Israel.

Even though David was residing in his new palace, he still maintained a military stronghold, which was also a well-fortified command-center for his military operations.

When he received word that the Philistines were readying for an attack, David went down to the stronghold with his top commanders.

In the same manner, believers must have a spiritual stronghold, a place of spiritual preparation of security. And it’s vital that we take advantage of our stronghold, especially when facing onslaughts from the enemy:

Isaiah 59:19b

The standard (stronghold) the Lord has provided for believers, is His unalterable and unwavering Word.

In verse 18, we see that the Philistines deployed troops in the Valley of Rephaim, which was only three to four miles from Jerusalem, showing they intended on an assault of the nation’s new capital.

In verse 19, we see how David not only did the best thing he could do for himself, but he set an example for every believer, as he turned to the Lord for direction.

David inquired of God for exact directions, determining not to do anything in his own strength, but desiring direction from the Lord who knows the end from the beginning.

The Lord responded to David’s questions, by giving both clear directions, as well as the promise of victory.

God’s Word is clear, that there is indeed victory for the believer as he or she trusts in the Lord:

Romans 8:35-37

In verses 20 and 21, God’s promises came to fruition, as the Israelites won a resounding victory. Those Philistines which escaped, did so hurriedly, leaving their idols behind, which was a bit ironic, as many years earlier, the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant, when Saul had it brought into battle (1 Samuel 4).

However, even after suffering a decisive defeat, in verse 22, we see that the Philistines returned to the same place, in an attempt to mount yet another attack.

Once again, David asked the Lord for direction. In this instance, while the Lord told David to attack, it was to be a delayed attack. The Israelites army was to circle back around the Philistines, which to the Philistine army might have appeared as though the Israelites were in retreat. However, the area they would be at, would be heavily populated by mulberry trees. The Lord would then cause a distinct rustling sound in the tops of the trees, with the sound mimicking that of troops marching. Once they heard the sound, the Israelites were to attack and again, soundly defeat the obviously confused Philistine army.

The Lord was showing David (and us) that we should never attempt to assume that He can (and will) only use one method by which to bring about victory. It also shows how He is able to use the most improbable ways to provide victory for His people.

David’s army was able to drive the Philistine army approximately 15 miles away from Jerusalem. Which shows, that just like Satan himself, the Philistines would position themselves for future attacks against God’s people, which