II Samuel 11:1

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”

David was king and it was spring, but he sent his men with Joab and chose to stay home. Why?

It certainly wasn’t because he wasn’t exceptional at leading men in battle. 

II Samuel 8:1

“In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them.”

II Samuel 8:2

“David also defeated the Moabites…”

II Samuel 8:3-4

“David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah… David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers.”

II Samuel 8:5

“When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them.”

David was a successful military leader and God granted him much favor in his battles. He was still in his prime but he chose to stay home and not lead his men this particular spring. Why?

He ‘sent’ Joab out so this was a planned decision.  There is no indication otherwise. What does seem clear is that he made this decision in isolation. He was the king and he called the shots and he decided he was going to stay home

What David should have done is seek wise counsel. 

Proverbs 24:6

“By wise guidance you wage war, and and in an abundance of counselors there is victory.”