2 Samuel 5:17-21 – Breakthrough in life can be experienced

Hiram chose to have a peaceful relationship with David while the Philistines chose the path of hostility. When they heard that David had become king of all of Israel, they went up in search of him. Remember there was a time prior to this, Achish, the king of Gath, one of the five cities of the Philistines had accepted David. He even wanted David and his men to go up with him against Saul’s army. Therefore, we can understand why the Philistines had more reason and urgency to want David’s life since he had become king of Israel.

When David heard of what the Philistines wanted to do to him, he went down to the stronghold. This was most likely referring to the cave of Adullam, where he had spent considerable time there dodging Saul. The reason David chose this place was obvious. Having lived there before he would be more familiar with the in’s and out’s of the cave. Hence, he had the advantage over the Philistines. Meanwhile, the Philistines were spread out around the area of Rephaim in search of him.

As David’s normal custom was, verse 19 tells us that he inquired of the Lord, asking, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” The Lord's response was in the affirmative. He was to go up against them for the Lord would certainly give them into his hand. So, at the place which David later named Baal-perizim, the Philistines were defeated and had to leave their idols behind. Baal-perizim meant “master of the breakthrough”. Indeed God is the master of breakthroughs. It was a befitting name for He had defeated the Philistines. With the Lord’s help, they were able to break through into the camp of the Philistines like a mighty flood. Praise God, He is the “Master of breakthroughs”!

The mention of the idol that the Philistines left behind, tells us that the war was more between David’s God and those weak gods of the Philistines. It is a reminder to us that our battle in life is essentially a spiritual one. The forces of darkness are always plotting our downfall. Wisely, like David, we must learn to seek God and move in tandem with Him in His sure-win strategy. Beloved, our breakthroughs in life can only be experienced when we fight alongside God, the Lord of breakthroughs.  

What Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 must be remembered as we seek to gain control of our lives. Remember that “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Let us put on the Lord Jesus and make no provision for the flesh to have its fling with us. With God, we can win all the time. Praise His glorious name!