David is one of the most admired characters in the Bible. He was anointed by God to be king over Israel. And even though he encountered much opposition, he applied certain spiritual strategies to the challenges he faced, which enabled him to get victory through God’s help.
In 2 Samuel 5, Israel and Judah had just anointed David to be their king. This was the third time David had been anointed. First, he was anointed by the prophet Samuel. Second, he was anointed king over the tribe of Judah. And finally, he was anointed to reign over all the twelve tribes of Israel.
The Philistines were not pleased when they heard this news, and they mobilized their forces to capture him. With new levels come new devils. All hell has been breaking loose in your life because the enemy recognizes the oil of the anointing on your life. The anointing attracts trouble, but the devil is no match for the power of God.
So, when David heard that the Philistines were coming, he went down to the stronghold. The stronghold represents the place of prayer. Every time David encountered a battle, he got down on his knees and sought God’s guidance.
“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” (2 Samuel 5:19 KJV).
David never fought a battle unless God said he would win, so David went up to face the Philistines as God had instructed him. And David defeated the Philistines to the point that they fled and left their images. God gave David a mighty breakthrough, and David said, “The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters” (verse 20).
And David and his men burned the Philistines’ images. The Philistines used these images or idols to work witchcraft, but the power of the Holy Spirit broke the power of witchcraft. The weapon may be formed against you, but it will not prosper. The curse is broken.
But the Philistines were aggressive. Just because they suffered one defeat did not mean they would leave David alone. “And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim” (verse 22).
Even though David got the victory the first time, he went again to the stronghold and prayed for the Lord’s direction. God told him not to go up to the Philistines as before but to come up behind them near the mulberry trees.
“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines” (verse 24).
David realized he could not just jump up and do what God told him to do the last time. God does not change, but his methods change, and you have to tap into what God is saying and doing now. He will often tell us to do things out of our routine and comfort zone, so we can learn to trust in him and not merely his method.
So, David obeyed God again and defeated the Philistines. And by running to the secret place, seeking the Lord’s specific guidance, and staying in tune with what God was speaking, David continued to live a life of victory. And as we apply these spiritual strategies to our lives, we too will continue to experience success and breakthroughs.
