“Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.” — 1 Chronicles 14:14-15

Both contemporary and Biblical examples verify that God’s guidance is perfect. It pays to obey even when we do not understand why or what He is doing. 

Some years ago, a team of Gospel workers who smuggled Bibles into China waited at a pickup point in a village square. They were supposed to meet a contact who would say a password as proof they could safely deliver the Bibles to him, but the contact did not show up. Finally the team left the area. Stopping at a park for a drink of water, rest, and prayer, they were puzzled. Why had their mission failed when they had looked to God for direction? 

After a time, the team became aware of three shabbily dressed men seated a short distance from them. One member of the team felt the Lord leading him to offer these men some water. To his amazement, as he approached, one of the three spoke the designated password in clear English! 

Some of the team members spoke a little Chinese, and they were able to piece together the story told by the three men. Two years earlier, God had revealed to these men, who were Christians, that if they would be at this park on this date, they would meet some white people who would have Bibles for them. In faith, they had begun preparing to make the journey, but since they were poor farmers, it had taken a long time to save enough money. 

When the needed provisions had finally been obtained, the three had walked for two and a half months from the far north of China. Traveling mostly at night to keep from being arrested, they had climbed mountains, journeyed across a desert, and forded several rivers without a compass or any knowledge of the countryside. All they could explain was that God had shown them where to go. How did they know the password? How could they speak it in English when they knew no English? Their guidance could only have come from God. What rejoicing occurred when the three Chinese men saw the Bibles! Many tears were shed as the team prayed for the Chinese farmers and gave them food and money for their return journey.¹ 

In today’s text, David looked to God for guidance about engaging in battle with the Philistines, who had arrayed themselves against Israel. God honored David’s dependence upon Him and gave him detailed instructions regarding how to combat this threat. In our focus verses, David was told to outflank the enemy by coming against them from a grove of mulberry trees, and to listen for a particular sound in the tops of the trees that would signal it was time to attack. David did as God commanded, and the result was a decisive victory for Israel. 

Today, are you in the process of seeking God’s guidance about circumstances you face? Are you sincerely seeking the will of God? He does not always answer our prayers for guidance in as detailed a way as He did for the team of Bible smugglers, the Chinese farmers, or David. However, guidance will come if we seek Him for it. As we submit ourselves to Him, we can be assured that He will direct our paths. And His direction is always the best and surest way to go—whether we fully understand or not!

^1. Amy Orr-Ewing, “Behold,’ iDisciple, RZIM, accessed 11/05/2021, https://www.idisciple.org/post/behold-1.

BACKGROUND

Chapter 14 records events early in David’s reign, including God’s blessing through the cooperation of Hiram (verses 1-2), a record of David’s children born to him in Jerusalem (verse 3-7), and David’s victories over the Philistines (verses 8-17). This chapter is inserted between the accounts of David’s two attempts to move the Ark of God to Jerusalem. 

In verse 1, the timber and workmen sent to David by Hiram king of Tyre signaled Hiram’s recognition of David as ruler of Israel. The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that Hiram reigned for thirty-four years, and greatly enhanced the city of Tyre through his municipal projects. Bible scholars concur that such a powerful king would not have assisted David in the building of his “house” unless he considered David a significant and legitimate ruler. King Hiram later sent lumber and craftsmen to help Solomon in the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem (see 2 Chronicles 2:3-16). 

The list in verses 3-7 of the thirteen children born to David while he was in Jerusalem repeats the list given in 1 Chronicles 3:5-8. Solomon was the fourth of David’s sons to be born in that location.

The account of David’s two victories over the Philistines parallels the record given in 2 Samuel 5:17-25. The Valley of Rephaim mentioned in verse 9 was southwest of Jerusalem and formed part of the boundary between Judah and Benjamin. After gaining the victory over the Philistines in the first battle, David was wise enough to inquire again of the Lord before the second battle, and God directed him differently the second time. 

The Philistines brought their idols to the battle, presumably thinking these would help them defeat the Israelites. David’s command that the Philistine idols be burned following the battle (verse 12) was an indicator of his purpose to lead the people in worshipping the true God, and was in obedience to God’s command recorded in Deuteronomy 7:5. 

The “mulberry trees” in verse 15 are thought to have been a species of poplar. 

Because David looked to God for his strategy, he was able to beat back the Philistine offensive. According to verse 17, the victory that resulted from David’s obedience to God’s instructions made him respected and feared among neighboring nations.

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE

II. The reign of David
     B. The establishment of his kingdom
          2. The prosperity of David’s reign
               a. The establishment of God’s presence in Jerusalem
                    (2) The encouragement of David (14:1-17)
                          (a) The friendship of Hiram (14:1-2)
                          (b) The blessing on his family (14:3-7)
                          (c) The defeats of the Philistines (14:8-17)

A CLOSER LOOK

1. What did King Hiram send to David, and for what purpose? (verse 1)
2. What lesson regarding how God works can we learn from David’s two battles with the Philistines?
3. How should we go about obtaining God’s direction in our lives?

CONCLUSION

God is able and willing to give clear direction to those who follow Him and seek His guidance.