The reason why God has always had a problem with any of His children resorting to the world's popular methodology and rationale, whether witchcraft & divination (in Saul's case), or 'numbering the people for war' (in David's case), or turning to Egypt for keys to success against the Assyrians - is this: God is to be our source!
This means that His ways, His values, His precepts, and His priorities are to be sought, adopted and utilized in all our endeavors if they are to ultimately be successful. Anything other than that will end in disaster.
The methodology and rationale that is to be our model of operations, regardless of the task - whether interpersonal or international, must be that which we hear from the Words of Christ.
The 'wisdom' of the world will almost invariably run contrary to the 'wisdom' of the Words of Christ. Winning through love, compassion, mercy, and the persistent assistance in enabling success is the way of Jesus. The way of the world is survival of the fittest, embargos, disenfranchisement and isolation, intimidation and wars.
Isaiah made it very plain that God would not honor any nation, not even one that proclaimed that God was their God and that they were His people, if they used the methods of the other nations - oppression and deceit. Nor will He honor individuals who do the same.