David enquired of God, “If I assault the Philistines, will you ship them into my arms?”
When David once more inquired of God, God stated to him, “You shall not go up after them; go round and are available on them reverse the balsam bushes.”
Background
Following the 9 chapters of genealogies, First Chronicles begins the narrative part with the reign of King Saul (9.35-10.14). However prayer is just not talked about till the writer begins to inform is about David. That is intentional—Saul is a unfavorable instance, David is a constructive instance. The writer spends chapter 11-19 on David, which comprises six prayers.
The primary prayer by Davis is a petition—David wants some course from God. The author of Chronicles does one thing attention-grabbing with this prayer. In contrast to the writer of Samuel, who mainly tells the historical past of Israel in chronological type, the Chronicler mixes tales round to make his theological level extra clear. After describing David’s anointing and turning into king, the writer tells about David planning to construct a palace and a temple, and the bringing of the Ark to Jerusalem. That is vital—a profitable king builds loads and honors his God.
Within the midst of this exercise, the Chronicler tells us two occasions that we’re acquainted with from Second Samuel—an assault by the Philistines, each of which embrace prayers by David. In reality, together with these prayers right here is central to what the writer needs us to grasp about success and victory, although they occurred at one other time chronologically.
David assembled his military to satisfy the enemy on the valley of Rephaim. He requested God if he ought to assault. God answered “sure.” Israel was victorious and David had their idols burned. However the Philistines regrouped and made one other raid. As soon as once more David seeks God’s steerage. This time, God tells him to go round and the enemy. At God’s command, David attacked from the rear and was as soon as once more victorious.
As we famous in a earlier submit, one of many Chroniclers’ main themes is that searching for and following God results in victory; ignoring Him results in defeat. We see this clearly by evaluating Saul’s earlier battles in opposition to the Philistines with these battles of David.
- Saul had encountered the Philistines, and misplaced (10.1-10). David encountered them and gained.
- When Saul misplaced, the pagan gods have been praised (10.10); when David gained, they have been ruined.
- Saul didn’t search God’s steerage or comply with it (10:13-14); David sought and adopted.
That means
First Chronicles reveals us that David was blessed by God in three main tales. First, his friendship with King Hiram leading to David having the ability to assemble magnificent buildings. Second, David had many sons, which was thought-about an excellent blessing in that world as a result of it meant the household and its heirs have been robust sufficient to hold on. The good victories over the attacking Philistines are extra blessings.
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