Observe, the LORD had commanded the people to go back towards the way by the Red Sea. But they, self-willed and presumptuous, wilt go up towards Canaan. Alas! what a continual perverseness there is in our unhumbled nature! What unbelief and daring presumption. My soul! look within. Am I not too frequently doing the same, when I go out in my own strength, and in my own righteousness, against the enemies of my salvation? Reader! do not forget what the sacred historian so particularly describes here, that nevertheless, though the people went up, the ark of the covenant of the LORD went not with them. If JESUS, whom that ark represented, go not with us to the battle, the great enemy of souls, and the world of foes, like the Amalekites and the Canaanites, will soon discomfit our weak powers and smite us even unto Hormah. LORD! I would pray carry me not up hence, no not even to Canaan, itself, except thy presence go with me. And may it be my happiness, like one of old, to go forth in the strength of the LORD GOD, and make mention of thy righteousness even of thine only. Psalms 71:16.
Numbers 14:40-45
40 And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned.
41 And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.
42 Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.
44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.
45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.