(17) В¶ But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. (18) The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. (19) And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
It is beautiful to trace David's steps, when he acts like himself, in consulting the Lord. Reader! depend upon it, the more the believing soul keeps up communion with Jesus by prayer, the more he will be conformed to the lovely similitude of Jesus, in life and conversation. Reader! do observe, though David knew that his kingdom was established by the Lord, and, that the Lord had guided him all his life long, yet, now he is established, he doth not remit seeking counsel from the Lord. Our security and interest in Jesus, so far from relaxing our need of him, renders him increasingly necessary, and increasingly precious. Oh! thou dear Lord! is it not, that the more I know of thee, the more I may see my need of thee, and the more I desire my whole heart and soul to be drawn unto thee? Be it so with me, dearest Jesus! But reader, observe how ready the Philistines are, the moment David is crowned in Jerusalem, to come up against him. Here again, we see David a type of the ever blessed Jesus. No sooner doth the poor sinner crown Jesus for his King, but the enemy comes forth against him, And was it not so by the church at large? When Jehovah set his King upon his holy hill of Zion, the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed. Psalms 2:6; Psalms 2:6.