1 Chronicles 14:13-17 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.… The utter discomfiture of the Philistines and the victory of Israel had filled the former with alarm, and a second attempt was made against Israel. David again cast himself upon the Lord. This time the mode of attack by David was, at the command of God, to be varied. The attack was not forbidden, but, instead of advancing against the Philistines openly. David was to strike off in such a direction as to turn their flank and to come upon them from the front of the mulberry trees or baca bushes. An important spiritual truth underlies this part of the narrative. In this second attack it would only have been natural that David should have adopted the same mode as before, especially when his plans had met with such success. But, however right and in every respect preferable that course might have appeared, it was not God's way. God will have his people entirely dependent upon himself, and not upon past experiences. The manna gathered to-day will not do for to-morrow. It must be gathered each day afresh. The successful way in the past may not be his way in the future, and must never be relied on. It is not past dealings or ways with us; it is himself. The look of the soul in every step must be upward. I must put nothing - not even God's past ways with me in life - between my soul and him. It must be God, and God alone, all the way. And "the sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees," as the sign of God's leading, is not without meaning. It indicates still the upward look. The sign was to come from above. There the eye and the ear too were to be directed. It was nothing in itself, any more than any ordinance or means of grace. It was an "outward sign" of an "inward" and deeper reality - God; "God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines." The breeze of wind moving the tops of the mulberry trees was the vehicle of the Holy Spirit - God's presence going before, which is at all times the Christian's safety, strength, and victory. - W. Parallel Verses KJV: And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. |
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