Today's Reading:

2 Samuel 1
2 Samuel 2
2 Samuel 3
2 Samuel 4

When David fled Israel for the land of the Philistines, who were Israel's enemies, he was graciously taken in by King Achish, who gave him the town of Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:6). This showed that enemies can sometimes work together and become allies. Upon hearing the news of Saul’s death, David and his men were distraught. Although Saul had become David’s enemy, he was still God’s anointed king of Israel. David mourned for Saul and Jonathan, for the army, and for the nation. Just as David mourned and prayed for the leaders, we too are called to pray for all the leaders of the world, both good and evil (1 Timothy 2:1-2 and Romans 13:1). God is sovereign, and we cannot see His bigger picture or understand who He uses for His will.

This week, when you pray, make sure you include your “enemies,” as David did. We are called to pray for all the leaders of the world, the President of the United States, his cabinet, and our military personnel. All are important, no matter your political views. Do you regularly pray for the President and national leaders? How does remembering that God appoints and removes leaders affect the way you view and pray for the President?

 

The books of Samuel were originally written as one continuous scroll, which made it long and heavy. For convenience, the books were divided at the end of an era, Saul’s death, Israel’s first appointed king. This showed how earthly kings would fail, but we have the one true King to look up to. As a tidbit, I have written in my Bible “N” for North/Israel and “S” for South/Judah to keep the kingdoms straight. It is especially useful when they discuss the people of Israel and Judah. I write the corresponding letters by their names

David had returned from defeating the Amalekites, who had stolen the women and destroyed the town of Ziklag. He had recovered all the women and plunder. A man from Saul’s Israelite camp came, fell at the feet of David, and announced that Saul and David’s best friend, Jonathan, had died in battle. The man lied to David, pretending to be an Amalekite (David’s enemy and temporary allies), telling him that he finished off Saul and brought his crown and arm band to David. He was expecting David to be pleased and reward him for his efforts. On the contrary, David and the men were devastated, since Israel’s king had fallen.

David had the unnamed man killed as his own words testified, he had killed Saul, the Lord’s anointed. This was not a death for David’s glory but was to condemn the one who murdered Saul. David’s lament was taught from The Book of Jasher, a lost book of Poems and Psalms of heroes. There is a fraudulent copy out there that may not even be an actual representation of the original. In the lament, the “gazelle” represented Jonathan, and the “mighty fallen” was Saul. David, distraught, grieved the loss of Jonathan who had not been keen on his father Saul’s reign, but he still fought the war for Israel. Under Saul’s leadership, Israel had prospered, therefore David urged the women to mourn the king. David ended with mourning the loss of his best friend, the leaders, and the military.

David inquired of the Lord via the ephod brought by Abiathar and was sent to Hebron. It was a strategic location in Judah (the southern kingdom) for transferring power between Saul and the House of David. The term “House of David” is used from here forward to signify David’s descendants and those loyal to his rule and dynasty. David then became the king of Judah, although Samuel had privately anointed him years ago in 1 Samuel 16. David told the people of Jabesh-gilead that they were blessed for the burial of Saul, and he would show them kindness and faithfulness in return.

Abner, the commander under Saul, who had been supporting Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth, (N) made Ish-Bosheth king over Gilead (Transjordan area) and all of Northern Israel. After two years of reign, Abner initiated a meeting in Gibeon with Joab (David's general), trying to keep Judah from spreading north. This civil war was to be decided by 12 men from each side fighting to avoid major casualties. This turned into a fierce battle where each killed their opponent, and David’s army won. David’s sister, Zeruiah, was mentioned as having three sons that were military leaders who were fierce, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel.

Asahel, a fast runner like a gazelle, chased after Abner, who killed him. Abner and the Benjamites regrouped and called out to Joab, urging him to end the fight. Joab agreed to stop the pursuit by sounding a trumpet. David’s side (S) lost 19 men, plus Asahel, his nephew. Abner (N) lost 360, mostly Benjamite men.

The civil war continued as David’s side grew because God was with David. David had six sons, building his royal lineage where we see it called “The House of David”. Abner, Saul’s old commander, was trying to take over Ish-Bosheth's side but was accused of sleeping with Saul’s concubine. This would have been seen as an act of trying to claim the royal rights and potential treason. Abner was angry at the accusation that he was being compared to a “dog’s head”, meaning worthless and unfaithful. He vowed to give the kingdom to David, to rule over both the north and south, fulfilling God’s promise.

Abner sent word to David to unite all of Israel under him. David agreed, but wanted his first wife, Michal, back (Saul’s daughter who had been given to another man). Ish-Bosheth agreed and forced Michal to go to David. David gave a feast and sent Abner away in peace. Joab (David’s commander and nephew) secretly killed Abner after the peace treaty, in revenge, fearing he would turn back on Judah (S). David declared himself innocent of the murder and ordered Joab and the people to mourn over Abner’s foolish death. David cursed Joab’s family, saying they will never have a man without discharge (like a bad cold and runny nose), a leper (skin rash so bad that you are an outcast, unclean). He also made a curse that the men would be inept at all things manly, “who holds a spindle” (3:29 ESV), they would not be in the military as they would be too weak and left to knit and spin yarn, doing women’s work instead of fighting!

In chapter 4, Ish-Bosheth (Saul’s son) heard that Abner had been murdered. He lost courage over being the king of northern Israel. Jonathan, David’s best friend who died, had a son, Mephibosheth, who was lame, and would be honored later under David. Two of Ish-Bosheth’s captains, Rechab and Baanah, snuck into his house, stabbed him in the stomach and beheaded him. They took the head of Ish-Bosheth to David, expecting a reward. David, upset, reminded them of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul. He ordered both men to be killed by cutting off their hands and feet and hanging the bodies by the pool (water storage) as a public warning. His head was then buried in honorable fashion in Abner’s tomb, showing respect to Saul even though Ish-Bosheth was a rival.

The two deaths of Saul and Ish-Bosheth were for personal gain. The unnamed Amalekite that claimed to have killed Saul, and Ish-Bosheth, who was killed in hopes of gaining favor from David as king, show that true leadership waits on God. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, and selfish ambition leads to destruction.

Faithfulness is what would be rewarded. These show that David was righteous and would honor God even with his rivals.

Here is a quick overview of the deaths from chapters 1-4:

• Saul- King of Israel
• Jonathan- Saul’s son and David’s best friend
• The Amalekite messenger- claimed to have killed Saul
• Asahel- David’s nephew, killed by Abner
• Abner- Saul’s commander and cousin. Murdered by Joab in revenge of Asahel
• Ish-Bosheth- Saul’s son, short time king over northern Israel, murdered in his bed
• Rechab and Baanah- captains who killed Ish-Bosheth, put on display at the pool in Hebron
• As well as many soldiers, and the 12 fighting men from each kingdom.

Today's Discussion question: 

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