2 Samuel 5:23-25 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, You shall not go up; but fetch a compass behind them… I. "WHEN," OR THE DIVINE INTIMATION. "When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees." 1. They were to wait for God's leading. 2. They were promised an intimation of God's leading. The trees were to be moved at the top. They could only be reached' from above. It was to be God's signal. The whole scene is quite within the scope of imagination. They are concealed in the thicket. They are waiting for the sign. What different tempers! What need of patience! How slowly dragged the minutes. Zeal longed to break from concealment and dash upon the foe. Unbelief wondered if the leaves would ever stir at all. Fear imagined they might be discovered by the enemy before the intimation of God's presence was given. Presumption thought a favourable opportunity had come, and that it was a mistake not to seize it. Faith counselled patience continually, while Hope cheered them with bright songs — until at last the promised token was given, the trees whispered musically of the Divine presence, and bursting from their ambush they swept as a torrent on the foe. God is giving constantly intimations of His presence. We are looking for a revival. Have we any token of the Lord's will in the matter? The Divine breath of the Spirit already seems stirring the leaves. The sense of quivering expectancy which one finds abroad. The unity of desire for a more abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The increased spirit of prayer which has been manifested. II. "THEN!" OR HUMAN ACTIVITY. "Then shalt thou bestir thyself." 1. God expects man to do his part. There is always a human element in these movements. God uses instrumentalities, not because He is obliged to, but because He desires and chooses to do so. He would teach us the need of effort. 2. God expects man to do his part at the right moment. "When... then." When God gives the signal, when the trees sway in the heavenly gale — strike then — that is the moment of destiny. "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows, and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when it serves, Or lose our ventures." 3. God expects man to do his part with utmost vigour. "Then bestir thyself." This effort must be whole hearted and heavy handed. Because God promised His help they were not to stint their labour. To the fullest of their powers they were to exert themselves, 3. "FOR" OR THE ASSURED VICTORY. "For then shall the Lord go out before thee to smite the Philistines." The certain result is victory. This must be the result, for all the conditions necessary to secure it are fulfilled. God is leading, man is working: natural conclusion — victory. It must comet (W. L. Mackenzie.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. |
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