#531 Assume

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

3 In Jerusalem David took more wives and became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet,6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada[a] and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, I will deliver them into your hands.”

11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[b] 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.

13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him. 1 Chronicles 14 NIV

David does not go and take over Tyre, steal their trees, but this is how he knows that God has truly established him, that unless the Lord build the house they that labor truly labor in vane. He also understands that he is established to the benefit of God's people, Israel. 

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not [g]prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [h]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. Matthew 16: 13-20

David then takes more wives, violating Deuteronomy 17:17, part of the law unto kings. David and Solomon's sin

The word of God is no longer the measure in these things, for what's good for the king must be good for all, but the position itself was never the ideal. Men are quick to see it as blessing and prosperity. If I stick my hand out towards a thing, though there be words against it, if nothing strikes down my hand or bites it off, then it is good. So often we see the Lord allow the tree to grow until it may be known by it's fruit. This idol of the flesh led to the murder of Bathsheba's husband, death of their son, Absalom and a host of other iniquities. To some, all these things are worth it, to them, it is sacrifice that is better than obedience. We will always prefer to polish the outside of the cup, crave the blood of bulls over the tree of shame. Throw a coin in the plate of God's blessing and then go home under the impression that all is well, that church is over there and sin reigns here. If you are called, know from this, that it was not your own doing, that it was not by David's merit but rather God's grace. What good that may be found in me, is that which God has placed there. How lame

Now while David does not feel the need to ask God's direction for his own house, he does well that he ask God's permission and blessing before going into battle. His house will effect the whole kingdom though, and as goes the family, goes the church, goes the nation. A man should hold his tongue elsewhere if he has not first taught his own children. If you have not prayed with and learned from your wife, then what business do you have ranting to others? If your house is divided then how are you the hope for unity and reconciliation elsewhere? It is good that we pray before we strap on our swords, for it is often that war is settled this way, so that what we find is that God has gone out before us. It is like the old saying that before I am fit to preach to you, I must pray for you. I would rather know the truth that God is sovereign and that salvation is of the Lord, so that we may speak as those who prayed. God touch their hearts before we come, Lord open their eyes before we hold up your Son, unstop their ears before we proclaim the riches of Your mercy and Your grace. Let us be stirred in our own hearts at the sound of Your marching army, rustling through the tops of the trees. Do not let me miss the opportunity, remove the hesitation that rests in my own strength, let my self be set aside, and Your praise be my cry. You have never needed me at any time, but I would be most honored to follow behind You, to repeat Your words, to be humbled by Your work. 

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24: 44-49