Established by God

January 10th, 2025

Established by God

2 Samuel 5:13-25

13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

A Permanent Quality

We had to baby our new sod that first year. We ran sprinklers to give it enough water, spread lots of fertilizer, and wouldn’t let the kids ride the 4-wheeler on it. New grass is fragile. Several years down the road now, it is well-rooted. It’s not going anywhere. It is “established.” Whether we’re talking about a lawn, a business, or a reputation, to be “established” is to have a stable, permanent quality. That’s the kind of life we all want (Matt 7:24–27; 1 Pet 5:10). David shows us the life that God establishes (5:10,12).

The Care that Establishes (17–25)

Unlike Hiram of Tyre, the Philistines don’t build David a palace. They hate him and come after him. This bad bunch is very advanced militarily, and just smashed Israel in an epic battle with Saul (1 Sam 31). There are also tons of them, all “spread out” in Rephaim, valley of giants (18). Now that David is a success, how does he respond to this threat? Many get self-reliant when they get strong, like Uzziah: “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction (2 Chr 26:16).” But David does exactly what Israel’s kings should do: he relies on God. 19: “Shall I go up? Will you give them into my hand?” God says, “Go for it.” And after these same Philistines steamrolled Israel under Saul, Yahweh bursts through them. He not only humiliates the Philistines, but their gods, who get left behind, boxed up, and carried to Goodwill (see Deut 7:5). It’s Yahweh’s victory from first to last, a sign of his favor on David, and a reversal of the Philistine capture of the ark long ago (1 Sam 4–5).

But the Philistines come back (22–25)! King Saul grew so proud after he won a battle that he built a monument of himself (1 Sam 15:12). What about David? He could have just plugged in the same winning formula he followed against the Philistines before, assuming that he would get the same result. But David does not exalt himself, rely on his past experience, or presume to know God’s mind. Like a little child, David seeks God again: “What do you want me to do this time, Lord?” Sure enough, God gives different instructions. Instead of marching in, David is to wait and listen for God’s army to march over the trees. David does, and subdues the Philistines just as God promised years before (2 Sam 3:18). David is careful to trust with all his heart (Prov 3:5–6).

The Compromise that Damages (13–16)

I think we have to point it out. At the same time that God is establishing David, and David is serving Yahweh so fruitfully, we detect a compromise in David. The multiplication of David’s wives is a compromise with his ungodly culture (13–16). God had explicitly forbidden Israel’s kings from this practice in Deuteronomy 17:14–17, a text David knew by heart. Pagan kings built large harems, for political alliances, as symbols of power and virility, and just because they could get away with it. Every time we turn around, David is increasing his own collection. It is easily overlooked now, amid David’s success and prosperity. But it’s like a crack in the foundation of the life God is establishing. As cracks do, this one will only get bigger with time, until it causes problems that cannot be ignored.

When Life is Going Well

Can we allow compromise, carelessness, and disobedience to creep into our own lives? Particularly when life is going so very well? Of course we can. That’s why we need to be warned by David. But we also desperately need to run to Jesus, the faithful king who can “establish and guard you against the evil one (2 Thes 3:3).” Glance back over the last two days, and consider David’s example (good and bad). Know that the Lord will establish your steps when you delight in his way (Psalm 37:23)!

FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT, SEE:

Priority and Presumption