Today’s devotion comes from 2 Samuel 18:1-8.
“Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab, one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” But the people said, “You should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us; even if half of us die, they will not care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.” Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.
Then the people went out into the field against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. For the battle there was spread over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.” 2 Samuel 18:1-8.
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Sometimes, Scripture will directly state the LORD’S names and His qualities, and other times, like in today’s Scripture, the Scripture will only present historical facts which lead us to meditate on what the LORD is doing in those historical facts and what qualities of the LORD are shown through such historical facts.
Sometimes, like in today’s Scripture, the facts are so unusual to produce such an outcome that we can reasonably infer that the LORD wanted us to conclude that He was at work in such a way that the events, were not by chance but rather by His providence, and to show that He, the LORD deserves credit and glory for the outcome (and not man).
But, we can use other Scripture that states the LORD’S name and His intention to use unusual facts to produce an outcome so that He, the LORD, would get credit and glory for the outcome (and not man).
One example is the LORD’s use of Gideon and so few people to achieve victory. “The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’ … The LORD said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.” Judges 7:2 and 7.
In today’s Scripture, consider the following facts that normally do not produce a victory.
First, normally, the king’s (or leader’s) advice is followed. But, in today’s Scripture, we see that David’s advice was announced. “And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” But the people said, “You should not go out … Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.”
Secondly, normally, the king does not advise his armies to deal gently with the leader of the rebellion for two reasons. The primary purpose is to kill or imprison the leader of the rebellion, and such advice also deflates and takes the motivation (wind out of the sails) of the army. But, in today’s Scripture, we see David charge the people: “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”
Third, normally, weapons kill more people than apparent natural causes. But, in today’s Scripture, we see “the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.”
“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.” Proverbs 21:31.
“16 The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
17 A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:16-18.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 