March 23, 2024

Jonathan had a son, Mephibosheth, who had been lame in both feet since the age of five and was the only heir of Saul left. Now a grown man with a son of his own, Mephibosheth was being cared for by Machir. David wanted to show kindness to Jonathan, his best friend who was killed at war, so he sent for Mephibosheth to be brought to him. David honored him by giving him a seat at his table during the appointed feast. He also gave him Saul's estate and made Ziba and his sons caretakers to plow and harvest to help increase Mephibosheth's wealth. Mica, Mephibosheth's son, re-established the lineage of Saul as noted in 1 Chronicles 8 and became a well-known family in Israel according to the American Bible Society, most likely because David had shown kindness to a prince of the kingdom of Saul. We will learn more about Ziba later in 2 Samuel.

The character of David melts my heart; he was so loving. Imagine the kindness of Jesus, then look at David, a sinner like us but typifying him, showing mercy to his sworn enemy's grandson. We are undeserving of kindness, yet Jesus loves us anyway and has shown us great kindness by giving himself for our salvation. His love humbles me.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing us how extraordinary your love is for us.

 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7

March 22, 2024

After a time of rest and peace, David went to war to secure more of the land that God had given Israel. The entire time he was on the battlefield, God protected him. When he went to war, he didn’t neglect his duties to his country and kept his administration intact. 

And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 2 Samuel 8:15

God and His word should always be on the tip of your tongue, and thoughts of Him always be on your mind. Jesus has given us a commission to tell others about him because many of the chosen have not yet come into the sheepfold. We can consider those people the land God has given us that needs conquering. It’s a war, and the enemy will fight us at every step. Rest when you need to rest, but when it’s time, go to war to help save the souls of the lost. The sooner we gather the elect, the sooner Jesus will come and collect us from this horrid place that seems to get worse by the minute. Rest assured, God will protect you just as he did David.

March 21, 2024

David and Israel were in a time of peace, and David rested comfortably in his home. It came to him that he dwelled in a house of cedar, and the Ark was still in a tent, so he thought he would build a temple. He ran the thought past Nathan the prophet, and he agreed; however, it was not God's intention for David to build it because he was a man of war, but he was the planner, and his son Solomon became the builder, as found in other scripture. David went into the Tabernacle and prayed before the Ark, a very humble prayer that made me internalize the words. David was a great man of God and spoke eloquent prayers, uplifting the name of God and giving him all due respect. I want the ability to talk to God in such a manner, but I'm not there. His words were remarkably poetic and holy. If you want to be humbled, read 2 Samuel 7; it was thought-provoking and a reminder that I have a long way to go before I am even a tiny portion of what David was. He is an excellent example to emulate in our worship of Jesus. For now, I will continue to pray in my juvenile way, supplement my words with the words of David through the Psalms, and glorify God as much as I possibly can until I'm there. 

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

March 20, 2024

David decided it was time to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. However, they didn't follow God's command for the priests to shoulder it with the staves and instead put it on a new cart. When the cart jostled, Uzzah reached out to stabilize it and was struck dead. David became so upset over Uzzah's death that he left it there, and Obededom kept it in his home. Three months later, when David found out that Obededom's family was prospering because of his willingness to house the Ark, he and a large precession of people went there to retrieve it. This time, they followed the law and treated it more reverently. It was a great day of joy, praise, and sacrifice. As they carried the Ark six paces, David stopped and sacrificed a calf and other fattened animals. The people played music, and David danced before the Lord. It was a glorious day of merriment and rejoicing. However, David's wife, Michal, was not impressed and was embarrassed because David had stripped off his robes and danced before everyone while wearing the ephod. She brought down the temperature of joy that was in David's heart over the Lord. We all know people who put a negative spin on everything, but unfortunately, because of Michal's attitude, she never had any children. 

When looking at Uzzah's death, we see that good intentions are not an excuse for sin. Uzzah's irreverence struck him dead. David's disappointment in God's harsh punishment for a seemingly simple mistake was not becoming of a man after God's own heart, but it did help Obededom. Be careful not to blame God for your disappointing situation because his will is perfect, and all things work together for the good of all who love him.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 2 Samuel 6:14-15

March 19, 2024

David was anointed king three times. First by God through Samuel, then by Judah, where he reigned for seven years, and now, by the rest of Israel, where he reigned for thirty-three years. In total, David was king for forty years. After being anointed king over all of Israel, he moved his base to Jerusalem, but he had to overcome the Jebusites, who thought their idols would protect them from David and his men, but they were mistaken; he ran them out. The king of Tyre built David a house, sending cedar trees, carpenters, and masons. David, not having enough wives, got him some more in Jerusalem. 🙄 Maybe he wanted to ensure he always had some allies; that didn’t work out so well for him, as we find later in scripture. The Philistines came to fight Israel again. What is with these people? Why can’t they live a quiet life without bothering others? David enquired of God to find out if he should go against them, “and the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” They didn’t learn their lesson and sent more men, but God handled it this time. 

David didn’t do anything without talking to God first. He knew his place and realized that God was in charge and relied on Him for his every move, except maybe for all those wives. It would do us well to do as David, consult God and leave the outcome in his hands. Stay constant in prayer, and talk to God all day; it doesn’t have to be formal, just respectful. He’s waiting to hear from you.

And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 2 Samuel 5:12

March 18, 2024

Ishbosheth, who was king over Israel, was killed by his two servants while he lay in his bed at noon. They must have thought that if they killed him, they might be favored in the eyes of David when he took over the entire kingdom. At this time, he was only king over Judah. They had cut off Ishbosheth's head and presented it to David. His reaction was not what they expected. He chastised them for killing a righteous man in his own home where he should have felt safe. David struck them down, then cut off their hands and feet, displaying them for all to see. Ishbosheth's head was put in Abner's tomb. David didn't want to come into the entire kingdom by ill-gotten gains; he wanted it to come by the hand of God. However, we know that God will use evil intentions for our own good, which may have been what happened in this case. 

Now, there was only one heir of Saul left, and that was Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, who was injured at five years old when his nurse fell with him, breaking his feet while trying to take him into hiding after Saul and Jonathan were killed.

We must be careful of our good intentions and avoid crossing the line into sin. What we think should give us a reward could cause us calamity. Listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and proceed cautiously in all your endeavors.

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? 2 Samuel 4:11

March 17, 2024

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. During that same time, while David and his wives were in Hebron, he had six sons by six different wives. Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, was accused by Ishbosheth, king of Israel and son of Saul, of having relations with his father’s concubine. After being a good commander, Abner was incensed that Ishbosheth concerned himself with such a matter, so he sent a message to David to make peace with him. David agreed as long as Abner brought him his first wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter; he agreed as long as he ran the issue past Ishbosheth. He did, and Abner brought her with him. Her new husband wept after her, but Ishbosheth sent him back home. I don’t know why David wanted her; she turned out to be a little snit, but I guess he still loved her. Abner met with David to discuss the details of bringing Israel under his kingship. During the time the two sides made peace, Joab was off at war; when he got home and found out about the peace deal, he got angry with David because Abner was the one who killed his brother; remember the runner from yesterday’s blog? In a treacherous act, Joab called for Abner to meet him at the gate of Hebron, which was a city of refuge. He should have been safe, but Joab assassinated him in a fit of revenge. David and all of Judah and Israel mourned for him. David cursed Joab with words that God would avenge Abner’s death with calamity on him and his family.

Joab didn’t know all the details of the peace deal between Abner and David. The idea was to bring the two kingdoms together under David. If he had known, would he have assassinated Abner? Maybe, but it’s a lesson for us not to seek revenge and let God handle our situation against our enemy. We don’t want God’s plan delayed because of our vengeance. God will win sooner if we don’t sin while waiting for his intervention.

And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 2 Samuel 3:27