QT 13 Dec 13, Public victories can be ruined by the private defeats

2 Sam 5:17-21 (ESV) When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the Lord said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand." 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, "The Lord has burst through my enemies before me like a bursting flood." Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.  21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

NOTE: The phrase "carried away" could also be translated burn (in the idea: to lift or take). 1 Chron 14 .11 describes the same event but uses a more common word, to set on fire. Deut 7:25 commands Israel to burn a capture idol. And so, in contrast to Saul's foray against where he brings the ark, in imitation of the nations around him, David attacks and destroys the gods of those who bring their gods to attack Israel. He has a major victory here, at Baal-perasim, "the Lord breaking through." And he follows it up with a campaign that strikes down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. And so begins a period of time where Israel is successful in battle against every enemy. There are no defeats, only victories. But defeats do come. The defeats would come internally as David allows himself to get caught in sexual sin. Eventually, it would affect his children and in turn, the nation itself. It is a great start and David is, for the most part, a great example. But his sin probably begins with his multiple wives, and continues with his unchecked lust. The strength of David is that, when he was rebuked, he accepted the rebuke. He did not put himself above God's law. He accepted and took responsibility for his sin. Maybe that is why he had so much difficulty when some of his sons rose up against him, because he blamed himself for their rebellion. Suffering rebellion was a form of penance against himself.

We need to take action against our sins, especially our secret sins. Yes, we are forgiven, but we serve a holy God and we must not be complacent with our nagging struggles. Our sins do affect others around us. The reminder is to repent, and to burn, and to return to our God.