"Lord, Shall I go?"
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them.
Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?"
The LORD answered him, "Go, I will deliver them into your hands."
So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He saId, "As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand."
. . . Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him. I Chronicles 14:8-17
Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?"
The LORD answered him, "Go, I will deliver them into your hands."
So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He saId, "As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand."
. . . Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him. I Chronicles 14:8-17
"Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?" This request must have been music to the ears of God! David was an accomplished warrior. He had slain Goliath and won all kinds of victories in battle. David was now king over the entire nation of Israel with an even greater army under his command. But it is significant that he did not just set out to fight his enemies, he wanted to know the will of God in the situation. He wanted to know if it was God's will for him to attack the Philistines and whether God would deliver them into his hands.
It must have been music to the ears of God because it showed humility and dependence on the part of David. David was simply telling God that he was totally dependent upon Him; not upon his own strength and abilities. If it was God's will to grant him victory over the Philistines, then he would go. But if God was not going to lead him in the battle, then he would stay put! As the Scripture says, the horse is made ready for battle but victory comes from God. God assured him of victory so he went. The divine assurance was more important to David than anything else.
The Bible declares that the steps of the righteous are ordered by God and He delights in his way. It is evident that David had a habit of inquiring from God about what steps to take. God was simply delighted to give him very detailed guidance about what steps to take to secure victory. It is music to God's ears when His children inquire of Him. He delights to direct our paths. He delights to hear: "Lord, shall I go?" Would you take time to seek God before you act? God is waiting to give you detailed directions to secure and ensure your victory.
It must have been music to the ears of God because it showed humility and dependence on the part of David. David was simply telling God that he was totally dependent upon Him; not upon his own strength and abilities. If it was God's will to grant him victory over the Philistines, then he would go. But if God was not going to lead him in the battle, then he would stay put! As the Scripture says, the horse is made ready for battle but victory comes from God. God assured him of victory so he went. The divine assurance was more important to David than anything else.
The Bible declares that the steps of the righteous are ordered by God and He delights in his way. It is evident that David had a habit of inquiring from God about what steps to take. God was simply delighted to give him very detailed guidance about what steps to take to secure victory. It is music to God's ears when His children inquire of Him. He delights to direct our paths. He delights to hear: "Lord, shall I go?" Would you take time to seek God before you act? God is waiting to give you detailed directions to secure and ensure your victory.
Prayer: Father, your word declares that the steps of the righteous are ordered by you. My prayer is that you will direct my steps in accordance with your plans and purposes for my life. Let everything I do be a delight to you. I want your will alone to be done in my life. Amen.