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7 June 2007
2 Samuel 2 v 1-7
Later, David prayed to the LORD, saying, "Should I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"
The LORD said to David, "Go." David asked, "Where should I go?" The LORD answered, "To Hebron."
So David went up to Hebron with his two wives: Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. David also brought his men and their families, and they all made their homes in the cities of Hebron. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and appointed David king over Judah.
They told David that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul. So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, "The LORD bless you. You have shown loyalty to your master Saul by burying him. May the LORD now be loyal and true to you. I will also treat you well because you have done this. Now be strong and brave. Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have appointed me their king."
Wohoo! David is finally king! Hasn't our boy grown up? Look at him; he takes his time, checks things are ok with God, he's measured and keeps his family and friends close to him in the day of his coronation. It's incredibly understated, considering it took him about 20 years to get there. He also reassures some of Saul's followers (but not his army) that he's cool with them, and he won't kill them, he wants them on his side.
The story of Jabesh Gilead is an interesting one. Back in 1 Samuel, Saul becomes king in the first place by saving that town from the Philistines. Clearly they appreciated the favour, and remained faithful to him even after he died. They even went into an enemy town to retrieve his dead body, which was pinned to a wall to humiliate Israel. These are probably some of the same soldiers who had fled for their lives from the Philistines just a day earlier, so it was quite a feat.
I wonder what the men of Judah thought the new king David would do. Maybe have them all killed for supporting the old king? Exiled for their allegiance to Saul's family?
No. He honours their loyalty to Saul as a Godly thing, and blesses them for it. Maybe this is the mark of someone at peace, finally resting in the calling God had given him. Our David has grown up.
Thanks God, for friends and family, and for the times when life goes really well.
May I be gracious to people when I'm winning and when I'm losing. Teach me loyalty and respect, and all the other tough things I'd rather not bother with! Amen
Written by Laurence Keith
2 Samuel 2 v 1-7
Later, David prayed to the LORD, saying, "Should I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"
The LORD said to David, "Go." David asked, "Where should I go?" The LORD answered, "To Hebron."
So David went up to Hebron with his two wives: Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. David also brought his men and their families, and they all made their homes in the cities of Hebron. Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and appointed David king over Judah.
They told David that the men of Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul. So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, "The LORD bless you. You have shown loyalty to your master Saul by burying him. May the LORD now be loyal and true to you. I will also treat you well because you have done this. Now be strong and brave. Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have appointed me their king."
Wohoo! David is finally king! Hasn't our boy grown up? Look at him; he takes his time, checks things are ok with God, he's measured and keeps his family and friends close to him in the day of his coronation. It's incredibly understated, considering it took him about 20 years to get there. He also reassures some of Saul's followers (but not his army) that he's cool with them, and he won't kill them, he wants them on his side.
The story of Jabesh Gilead is an interesting one. Back in 1 Samuel, Saul becomes king in the first place by saving that town from the Philistines. Clearly they appreciated the favour, and remained faithful to him even after he died. They even went into an enemy town to retrieve his dead body, which was pinned to a wall to humiliate Israel. These are probably some of the same soldiers who had fled for their lives from the Philistines just a day earlier, so it was quite a feat.
I wonder what the men of Judah thought the new king David would do. Maybe have them all killed for supporting the old king? Exiled for their allegiance to Saul's family?
No. He honours their loyalty to Saul as a Godly thing, and blesses them for it. Maybe this is the mark of someone at peace, finally resting in the calling God had given him. Our David has grown up.
Thanks God, for friends and family, and for the times when life goes really well.
May I be gracious to people when I'm winning and when I'm losing. Teach me loyalty and respect, and all the other tough things I'd rather not bother with! Amen
Written by Laurence Keith
