2 Samuel 5:22-25 (NLT) But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. And again David asked the LORD what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the LORD replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the LORD is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” So David did what the LORD commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
The Philistines’ return did not discourage David, but once again, he waited upon God and sought renewed strength from Him, even though he had been successful in the first battle. He realised that each victory depended upon the Lord.
The circumstances were the same. David could have attacked the enemy just as he did before. Interestingly, God’s answer now was the opposite of the previous one. Before, it was ‘Go up.’ But this time, God said, ‘You shall not go up.’ So many times, we think that God will work in the same way as previously. We want to follow the same recipe every time. We know what happened with Moses when there was no water in the wilderness.
The first time God told him to strike the rock. Exodus 17:6 (NLT) “I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.
The second time God told Moses to speak to the rock. Numbers 20:7-8 (NLT) and the LORD said to Moses, “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
Moses chose to strike the rock instead of speaking to it. Numbers 20:9-12 (NKJV) “So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”
Everything seemed identical, but God’s will must be sought each time, or victory is not guaranteed. Moses decided to strike the rock even though God had instructed him to speak to the rock. This was a real test of obedience.
Going back to David, he did not argue, instead, he waited upon the Lord and did exactly what the Lord had said. He was more than a conqueror.
Romans 8:37 (NKJV) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
2 Samuel 5:24-25 (AMPC) And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then bestir yourselves, for then has the Lord gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines. And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
David’s obedience was rewarded. God kept His promise and smote the enemy.