Jerusalem Becomes the Capitol of Israel

2nd Samuel 5

We are following the life of David and we see now that God has allowed David to take over all of Israel. We read in this chapter that David was king over Judah in Hebron for about 7 years. Hebron was the capitol of Israel up to this chapter. When all the tribes came and acknowledged that David was king then he took the army and gathered around Jerusalem and took it as the new capitol of Israel. Jerusalem is called the “City of David.” 

Jerusalem was a wise move for David because the city was centrally located throughout all of Israel as well as the city already had defensive walls and it was built around valleys with steep sides. The city would have seemed unbeatable but David took some men and went up a water shaft that is by Gihon springs. This made it so David could go within the walls of this great city of Zion. 

Realization-

David realized that God was with him. In verse 12 we see that David knew that the Lord was the one who was allowing everything. He could have been getting a big head about everything but we see that he knew that God was the one who was working everything out.

God is working out our lives as well. God holds everything in his hands. When we think life is not making sense or that chaos is running everywhere, God is all knowing and holds everything in the balance of his hands. Do you trust the Lord? I know sometimes it seems hard to when the fog of life is so thick to see that God has a plan in all things. I sometimes wonder, “God I have had it so easy and good, when the trial hits, how will I be?” God is the anchor that we need in the stormy waters. God is the solid rock we go to in the midst of storms. When life is good God is in control and when life is bad, God is still in control.

War Remains

Even though David now has united the country and made a decisive move with the capitol, war is still going on with the enemy. The Philistines line up for battle and we see a very important move David does, he inquires of the Lord. The one thing we should notice between David and Saul was that David wanted to know God’s will, Saul wanted God’s will to go around his plans. David asked, “Should we go to war?” God answers two different ways for two different requests. 

We have the safety of the Lord and he is our stronghold but remember there is war going on (Ephesians 5:10-20). We need to always inquire of the Lord in what to do, to stay away from sin and temptation. We need to seek the Lord when the enemy is lined up against us. We need to be able to stand firm in our faith. 

What’s Eating You?

2nd Samuel 3

Have you ever had someone that rubbed you the wrong way? Have you ever had someone that did something to you and it always bugged you every time you saw them? Bitterness and revenge can be a deadly combination. We can search throughout history and even look to where bitterness and jealousy started with Cain and Able in Genesis 4. I know I have been mad at people for something they have done and it is easy to hold a grudge against them? Do you have any grudges? Are there people that you avoid like they have the plague? 

In this chapter of 2nd Samuel we see that David has been crowned king but only for the tribe of Judah. The rest of the land is following after the son of Saul, Ish-Bosheth. There has been battling between David and Ish-Bosheth but David was growing stronger and stronger (2nd Samuel 3:1). We see not only a battle between the true king and the one standing in the way but we see the generals from both sides having a dilemma.  

 A Turn of Events

Abner was the general of the army of Saul and was the general of the army for Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. He killed Joab’s brother, Asahel, in battle (2nd Samuel 2:18-23). Joab was grieved about this and wanted Abner to pay for what he has done. Abner realized that David was the true king and that God anointed David to be king. Ish-Bosheth was not the true king so he left. Abner wanted to join the side of David and he was gathering the other tribes to follow David. Joab heard about this and became angry. He not only became angry but then planned on how he could get revenge for his brother. He called Abner to meet him in a private place where he killed him. 

Things were actually going well, the general of the enemy was now tuning in and wanting to support David. The people were being gathered together under one king. The war within was going to stop but there was not true peace. Joab had something that was eating at him and that was Abner. It was to the point he could not stand seeing him. Bitterness destroys the one who is bitter. Jesus touched a little bit about bitterness and about how to treat our enemies. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus tells us to Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  Jesus said some pretty profound statements and as our motto would be to pay people back for the wrong they have done, Jesus says pray for them and to love them. 

This reminds me of hearing the story of Corrie Ten Boom when faced with one of her oppressors after he gave his life to the Lord and he put out his hand for her to shake it. She was faced with the choice of letting all her anger and hatred towards this man that was responsible for the killing of many and her family. She remembered Jesus and how he forgave her and she took this man’s hand. Remember you and I were once enemies of God, and Jesus died for us even though we had forsaken Him. Jesus showed the perfect example of praying and loving your enemies as he laid down his life for the world. So what is eating you? Go before the Lord and ask him to reveal to you who you may have a grudge against, then go to that person and forgive them and pray for them.

The Heart of God

2nd Samuel 1

Have you ever mourned over the death of someone? How about the death of an enemy? We now are in a new book, 2nd Samuel. This book starts the reign of the new king or should have been king over Israel, David. We left 1st Samuel with the news that Saul and his sons were killed in battle and now we pick up the story with David hearing the news.

Bad News with a Lie

On the 3rd day a man came to David and told him how King Saul had died. He said he found him on his spear but he was the one that finished the duty. This man who came to David probably had some other ulterior motive. He was trying to say he was the one that killed King Saul, David’s enemy. He was hoping this was going to bring favor to David. The response of David hearing the words that Saul and his best friend Jonathan were killed brought David and his men to their knees as they mourned for them. 

It is interesting that David is mourning over Saul the man that had pursued them for so long, who had tried to kill him many times, but David mourned over his death. We need to just ponder this for a second. David seriously respected this man who was God’s anointed. He cared when he died and he cried for the loss. It is easy for us to mourn over the loss of a life that we cared about or that we loved but what about our enemies? David truly had a heart after God because he cared for this man who was lost. Do we mourn over those that are without God? Do we mourn over those that wrong us and they die? 

The Song of the Mourner

We see the true heart of David in verses 19 through 27. He cared for them and would miss them and he even leaves with good words towards both men. He says, “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.” We notice that David never bad mouthed Saul ever. David felt guilty about cutting the edge of his coat let alone say anything negative about him. The reason was because Saul was God’s anointed. He respected God which lead to him respecting Saul. 

How do you view your Christian leaders? Do you pray for them? Do you easily complain about them? May we learn to have the attitude of David in this life towards our leaders. I know I have been convicted of how I need to be for my leaders. I know just like me, are not perfect and more than anything need to in prayer for them, just like we would want the prayer.