A SOUND IN THE TREES

"Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines." (2 Samuel 5:23-24; 1 Chron 14:14-15, NKJV)

THOSE WHO WALK WITH GOD are certainly not confined to conventionality–just normal conditions. Sometimes the saints are involved in most unusual things–matters in which the flesh cannot boast. Thus God showed Moses a tree that was to be cut down and thrown into some bitter waters, in order to sweeten them (Ex 15:25). Elisha threw come meal in a pot containing poison vegetables, thus healing the food (2 Kings 4:41). By Divine direction, Moses made a bronze serpent so people mortally wounded by venomous snakes could be healed by simply looking upon it (Num 21:8-9). During a famine, Elijah was brought bread and flesh every morning and evening by ravens (1 Kgs 17:4-6). Jesus anointed a blind man's eyes with clay made from His own spittle, telling him to wash in the pool of Siloam for healing (John 9:6-7). Those with a disdain for unconventionality will certainly have very limited, if any, spiritual experience.

THE TEXT BEFORE US DEALS WITH another unusual and unconventional experience. David had just been anointed king of Israel, and their enemies, the Philistines, heard about it. The Scriptures tell us that "all the Philistines came up to seek David." Hearing of it, David "went down to the stronghold," where protection was found. In a display of their formidable aggression, the Philistines "came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim." It was a most intimidating situation.

DAVID DID NOT RELY on his own military prowess, or on the strength of his armies. He made no delay in placing this matter before the Lord. He asked the Lord, "Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand?" Without delay the Lord responded, "Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand." Going up in the strength of the Lord, David and his army soundly defeated the Philistines. Of the occasion David said, "The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters."

IN THEIR FLIGHT, the Philistines left their idolatrous images behind. With dispatch, "David and his men burned them." Surely this would be the end of Philistine aggression!

BUT THE WICKED AND TENACIOUS Philistines did not stop their aggression against David and his armies. Those who imagine the enemies of God's people give up easily, need to rethink the matter. The text continues, "And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim." The reaction of David to this show of force is most edifying.

ALREADY HE HAD ROUTED THE ENEMY. Flesh would reason it could easily be done again. After all, the superiority obviously belonged to Israel–at least that is what flesh would think. It is not, however, how a man of God thinks. Immediately "David inquired of the Lord" about the matter. This time, the answer was not the same. God responded, "Thou shalt NOT go up." This time, the tactic would be different. Of course, if David had not inquired of the Lord, he would never have known.

THIS TIME, THE LORD SAID, "circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines." When David did as the Lord commanded him, listening and moving quickly, he "smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer" (2 Sam 5:17-25).

NOTE THE SENSITIVITY of the man after God's own heart. He did not take victory for granted, even after a successful battle. He carefully inquired of the Lord before engaging in battle. Too, he had to listen carefully for sounds in the top of the mulberry trees. His attention could not be drawn away to the valley of Rephaim and the sight of the Philistine armies. Again, he had to move quickly, as soon as the declared sign was detected. Thus he experienced victory again.

THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES of spiritual life seen in this text. First, dependency upon God is to be consistent. Second, keen spiritual attentiveness and hearing are required. Third, we must learn to move quickly when the presence of the Lord is detected. Precious lessons, indeed!

– Given O. Blakely