1 Chronicles 14:1-17
1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2 And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3 And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4 Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5 And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6 And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7 And Elishama, and Beeliada,a and Eliphalet.
8 And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.
9 And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10 And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11 So they came up to Baalperazim;b and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
12 And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14 Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
15 And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
16 David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeonc even to Gazer.
17 And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
Now Hiram the king of Tyre sent David down cedars, and workmen [and so forth], to build a palace for David. And while David was in Jerusalem he took more wives: and he had more sons and daughters (1 Chronicles 14:1; 1 Chronicles 14:3).
And their names are listed there in chapter fourteen.
And the Philistines came [against David], spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? will You deliver them into my hand? And the LORD said, Go up; I will deliver them into your hand. So they came to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. And David said, God hath broken in on my enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of the place Baalperazim (1 Chronicles 14:9-11).
Now it is interesting to me how that David sought guidance from the Lord and asked direct questions and received direct answers. I think that it is important that we ask God direct questions. We seek the guidance of the Lord by asking direct questions. Too many times we have our plans all set, and then we say, "Now, God, please bless my plans." Rather than seeking the guidance of the Lord and asking direct questions. "Lord, shall we go up? Lord, will You be with us and deliver them into Your hands?" Asking direct questions, he received direct answers. And I believe that you can ask God a direct question and get a direct answer.
I had an old Oldsmobile car, and it was beginning to use a lot of oil. And I said, "Lord, what's causing this silly car to use so much oil?" And the Lord spoke to me and said, "Look at the speedometer." And I looked down and I was doing eighty miles an hour. So I slowed down. In those days the speed up was sixty-five. I slowed down to sixty-five. And I, He said, "You got a lead foot. That's why it's using so much oil." So I just started driving slower. I was, of course, having to drive to Idyllwild three times a week and up the mountain. And man, I had all those curves all wired, and you know, just floor boarding up the hill. And when I started driving like a normal person should drive, car quit using oil. So, thank You, Lord. Direct question, direct answer.
And I do believe that you can ask God direct questions and start listening and start getting direct answers. David was asking direct questions. God began to give him direct answers and guiding him.
Now the Philistines came up again and rather than just, "Alright, let's go again, fellows. At it once more." He waited and inquired of God again. And he said, "Shall we go up?" And the Lord said, "No, don't go up. But go around behind them and wait. And when you hear the sound of the wind in the top of the mulberry trees, then attack." So David went around behind the Philistines and they waited there. And when the wind began to blow in the top of the mulberry trees, then David and his men attacked and they wiped out the Philistines the second time.
And the fame of David and the fear of David spread throughout all the lands (1 Chronicles 14:17);
And it was then at this point that David brought back the ark of the covenant, doing it after the manner that God had prescribed to Moses bringing it back the right way. "