There Was War Again

2 Samuel 21

Verse 15 There was war again between the Philistines and Israel

Verse 18: After this there was again war with the Philistines at Gob

Verse 19: And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob

Verse 20: And there was again war at Gath

That’s a little too many times when there was again war with the Philistines, don’t you think? One battle would be won, and soon after another one would have to be won, and on and on again. No sooner had Absalom been routed than Sheba roused himself and the men of Israel against David. There are two things, very telling indeed at least on account of their refrain, that can be learnt from this set of lines of Scripture about there being again war with the Philistines.

First, after any enemy has been defeated, after God has granted us a great victory, even then we are required still to be on our guard, ready for the next call to action. We are soldiers who ought not to engage in civilian pursuits, we must always be sober and watchful since our aim isn’t to please ourselves but the one who enlisted us. When we kill an enemy we benefit both ourselves (we don’t get ourselves killed) and the rest of our comrades (we don’t get them killed). And so it is that Apostle Paul urges Timothy to be particularly diligent in keeping a watch over himself and his doctrine in order that he might save both himself and his hearers (1 Timothy 4:16). No matter how glorious and purple a triumph might turn out to be, and though we ought to rejoice with much gladness on that account, we must never lose our heads. We still must keep fit, and our sword must be oiled, sharpened and ready.

Second, though the wars were several, it is very encouraging to see that all these giants fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants (2 Samuel 21:22). That is the confidence and encouragement that we too have while we face every trial– that we are victors through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57), that it is the Lord who goes before us to fight for us (Deuteronomy 1:30) and also it is He who goes with us to fight against our enemies and give us victory (Deuteronomy 20:4), that though the afflictions of the righteous be many, God delivers him from them all (Psalms 34:19). And even in those moments when a battle might turn out very terribly and to our loss like it did several times for the Israelites in their war against the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20), what matters is that God had told us to march on, and to fight on, for afterwards he will do what seems good to him.

So, while we continue to live as pilgrims and exiles here below, we must not let ourselves be numbed, either by victory or loss, nor should our success or failure cloud our vision of God or plug our ears or harden our hearts from heeding his next call and doing his will. In Rudyard Kipling’s words, we must ‘meet with Triumph and Disaster/And treat those two impostors just the same;’. The devil moves about like a roaring lion seeking one he might devour (1 Peter 5:8), and he has come on great wrath as he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12), and so more than we might reasonably expect it, there will be again war. We must put on the full armour of God if we are to be able to resist him and his host (Ephesians 6:11). We must live sober lives for the sake of our prayers (1 Peter 4:7), not letting sin and pleasure stain our conscience and draw us back from the Lord’s presence. Every single moment must be lived in the reality and expectation that our Lord will soon call us up to arms.

And though these battles be unceasing, even though all the buffeting might seem unending, and even if at times the victory seems and feels uncertain, it is comforting enough to know that it is the Lord who has commanded us, and that he rides before and ahead of our armies. He is our ever present help in the time of trouble (Psalms 46:1), he will be with us always, to succour and to bear us up, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). And just as David himself became greater and greater, and waxed stronger and stronger, because the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him (2 Samuel 5:10), so we too know that our lot will fall in pleasant places (Psalms 16:6), and then we will share in David’s sweet song:

For the waves of death encompassed me,
the torrents of destruction assailed me;
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called upon the Lord;
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears.
He rescued me from my strong enemy,
from those who hated me,
for they were too mighty for me.
2 Samuel 22:5-7,18

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you because in you our victory is certain and assured. It is you who trains our hands for war and our fingers for battle, so that we ride victoriously over those who oppose you. May we hear you, and be ready when you call. In Jesus Name. Amen.