This chapter highlights King David as the most successful king in the history of the Kingdom of Israel. Internally, his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel (v2b).Not just that, externally, the fame of David went out into all lands (v17a). The reason for the successes internally within the nation and among the land was because it is THE LORD that had established him as king over Israel (v2a) and brought the fear of him among the nations (v17b). God crowned David as the legitimate king, and led David through his kingship.

In Romans 13:1b, Paul tells us that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

In Daniel 2:21, the author tells us that “God changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

It was the Lord alone who made David the man he was.

David knew that and in many of his ways, he had attempted to be at the heart of God’s intention when leading the nation. In David’s first fight against the Philistines after he became the king over Israel, he inquired of God to ask if it was right for Israel to fight Philistines. It was only when God told him to go, then David went ahead. If you remember, David had a strong team of elite commanders, and if he based it on the confidence of his military might, he might feel like it was possible to go ahead even without inquiring God. But no, David inquired the Lord. After the Lord gave him victory, David acknowledge the works on the Lord by naming the place after Yahweh. David called the place Baal-perazim because the Lord gave them a breakthrough like a bursting flood.

The Philistines repeated the raid again in the same place and David inquired God again. The response from God this time was different. Instead of saying yes and go, God told David wait and go around them. Why the strategy was different? The bible was not clear and any answers would be speculative. However, we can see instead of relying on past experiences, David did as God commanded him. In the end, they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer (v16).

One of the most common thing we often like to say in ministry, and probably in our own lives as well, is this, “This is what I have always done and it had worked.” Just in case you think I am anti traditions, I am never against upkeeping a good practice or traditions. There are good practices we have upkept for many years. Sunday schools, visitations, prayer meetings, and of course our weekly worship services, they are spiritual disciplines which has served us for many years and we kept them because they helped us to grow in our walk with God.

The issue is not about keeping or renewing practices. The issue is who or what are we trusting as we do what we do. Sometimes we do not change, because we are fearful that we do not get the results we had previously obtained. We have placed our trust in our experiences more than God who is the one who had given us our past achievements. What do we do then? Learn from David, inquire of the Lord in all things. Spend time listening to His Word and understanding His ways. Proverbs 3:5-6 is not unfamiliar to us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

In ALL things, turn to Him. In ALL things acknowledge Him. That’s David secret in his success.

Prayer: Dear God, we ask for your forgiveness when we give in to our own fears and flesh when we trust ourselves more than we trust you God. Help us to turn to you with all our hearts and lean on you more than our own understanding. In Jesus name. Amen.