The Battle is the Lord’s

2 Samuel 5:17-25
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: When we trust God and obey Him, we can have assurance the battle is the Lord’s!

2 Samuel 5:17-25
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.19 And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.”20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees.24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

I. First, Ask! (vv. 19, 23)

A. The Philistine’s were content to let David be king in Judah because a divided Israel was far weaker than a united one. But when David was anointed king over all Israel, the Philistines sprang into action and threatened war. But David did not back down because he knew that He who was with him was far greater than those who stood against him.

B. We see in David’s response:

1. Trust in the Lord (cf. Ps. 20:6-9; 1 Jn. 4:4) – David’s confidence stems from the fact that he knows whom he serves.
Psalm 20:6-9
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

1 John 4:4
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

2. Seeking the Lord (vv. 19, 23) – David doesn’t rush into action, rather he seeks the Lord’s face and favor.

C. David’s position is that he doesn’t want to move until he knows the Lord goes before him. This marks one distinction between David and Saul, David sought the Lord in faith because he knew that God was his true source of strength and victory (cf. Ps. 27:7-8; Matt. 7:7-11).
Psalm 27:7-8
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

II. Second, Act! (v. 25)

A. Another distinction between David and Saul can be summed in this: “David did as the Lord commanded him.” Both David and Saul were effective military leaders, but where Saul disobeyed the Lord, David obeyed. This principle of obedience allowed David to effectively serve and lead God’s people.

B. We see in David’s response:

1. Obedience to the Lord (vv. 20, 25) – David is willing to change his strategy according to God’s command.

2. Worshipping the Lord (vv. 20-21) – David responds to God’s victory with thankfulness and praise.

C. Just as the Lord went before David to ensure his victory (v. 24), we can trust that God will go before us in our time of need (cf. Mk. 13:11; Rom. 8:26). When we trust in the Lord and obey Him, we can rest assured the battle is the Lord’s!
Mark 13:11
11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.