Dei Time

Exploring the King’s Faith

Dei Break

2 Samuel 23:1 – 24:25

Continuing the discussion of David's relationship to God, isn't it amazing that this person who had experienced God's undeserved grace and also experienced God's pronouncement of family disaster. Yet to David knowing God was still the greatest blessing of his life. He knew who he was in relationship to his God. His faith allowed him to recognize that God was always right, no matter what the circumstances; no matter what David might have thought or done. God loved David out of His mercy, not because the king made himself worthy.

The Old Testament confirms to us that the righteous man lives by faith. The New Testament assures us that this faith that we live by is a gift from God. No one can boast that it is their own accomplishment. (Ephesians 2:8-9). David found that faith exercised day by day grows stronger and more consistent as the years go by. His life and our lives become adventures in sanctification through this gift that God has given us.

Though David's psalm mentions the number thirty several times in the listing of his mighty men, there were about 37. We have read about the deaths of some of them and they were apparently replaced by others. Another possibility is that this was an example of one of the military squads called "the 30" in Israel. These groups varied somewhat in number, but all went by the same name. In Hebrew the name was pronounced something like hassilosim.

In 24:10 David confesses his sin to God, but why was the census a sin? The NASB translates part of verse 1 as "it incited David" instead of "he incited David". The NASB is most likely correct. We know that God does not cause us to do evil. The "it" may be David's pride, anger, or self concern. Whatever the motive, even Joab knew that the census was an action that would anger God. The punishment was harsh, but again we see David's determination to stay in God's hands (vs.14).

Next time: David's Old Age

      

    

   

Retribution and Celebration

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2 Samuel 21:1 – 23:7

When Joshua led Israel into the promised land, the Gibeonites tricked Joshua into establishing a treaty in order to avoid destruction. Apparently Saul had disregarded the treaty and attacked Gibeon. God told David that this injustice was the root of an ongoing famine.

What seems to be cruelty on David's part was part of the justice system of the time. Saul had broken a national covenant. The Gibeonites had a right to restitution. God is loving, merciful, gracious, and JUST.

If we apply this national incident on a personal level, it becomes a reminder to us that Jesus' death on the cross was for a purpose. As Christians we often look past the righteousness of God and focus on His mercy, love and grace. However, we break our covenant of faith with God every day. We should have to pay Him recompense, but in His love God chose to send His Son to pay restitution for our crime. Without Jesus' separation from the Father on the cross on our behalf, we would have to suffer eternal separation from our Lord because of our sin.

Chapter 22 is a psalm written by David in celebration of his life with God. It is an interesting blend of statements about himself and about God. David makes it clear that God is the One who has sustained and blessed him. David's insistence on God's power in his life makes it clear that his statements about his own actions and faithfulness are not bragging, but rather form an account of his efforts to respond to God's grace in his life, not efforts to make him worthy of God's love and grace.

The first verses of chapter 23 are stanzas of a psalm continuing David's praise of God in his life and in his reign. Yet, this is the man who committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered to cover his sin; who lost a son because of that sin, and whose family destroyed itself as was prophesied by God.

Next time: Exploring the King's Faith

David Again Mourns an Enemy

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2 Samuel 19:1 - 20:26

Though Absalom was defeated, David was still in danger. His divided nation did not see the strong and victorious David that they expected. His grief made it seem as though he did not care about those who had saved his kingdom. Joab reprimanded the king (19:1-7).

David has shown himself to be faithful and sinful, wise and stupid, depending on the situation. One of his finest God-given qualities, however, was the ability to listen to criticism and respond in humility. He was able to overcome adversity because his ego could stand bruising. The king could learn from his mistakes. His gentle nature often showed (19:19-30)

Then the political angling among the men whose actions during the rebellion were described in previous chapters began. The animosity between "Judah" and "Israel", or the southern and northern parts of the kingdoms continued. In a few more years the two factions would find themselves at war (19:41-43).

At this time, however, the war was hardly a skirmish—just a token resistance by Sheba, a disgruntled man of Israel. He fled at once and hid out in Abel, only to be executed and handed over to Joab by the citizens of the town.

One commentator says that Amasa's appointment by David as general of his troops (19:13) was probably partly political and partly personal, assuring Absalom's followers that all was forgiven and at the same time punishing Joab for his part in Absalom's death.

Amasa was killed by his cousin, Joab. Why? Was it because Amasa was proving to be an incapable leader? Did Joab suspect that Amasa would turn on David? Or, was Amasa murdered simply so Joab could regain his office as commander of the armies? Whatever his motive in this killing, he always remained a loyal and strong supporter of the king, and seems to have been determined to keep David on the throne, no matter what that task required.

Next time: Retribution and Celebration

Curses and Rebellion

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2 Samuel 16:5 - 18:33

Curses on the king! Saul's relatives wanted to see David dead. He had taken the throne of Saul. Of course, the curses were unjust, shouted by angry people who thought that David's fall was imminent. They ignored the fact that David had not killed Saul, but had mourned him, and tried to care for his descendants. They also ignored the well-known truth that God had chosen David as king.

As David fled for his life, tormented by the curses of Saul's family, Absalom followed the advice of the king's formerly respected advisor, Ahithophel, and lay with his father's concubines—a way in ancient times of claiming the kingship.

Ahithophel advised Absalom to stay safely in Jerusalem while his troops eliminated David. Hushai thwart this plan and interjected his own advice to the young rebel king. Meanwhile, having been warned, David quickly crossed the river and waited in well-fortified Mahanaim (Ishbosheth's former capital). These former followers of Saul's son remained loyal to David.

Absalom accepted Hushai's plan, which would take more time to implement and involve Absalom himself in the heat of battle. Ahithophel, either because of a crushed ego, or the conviction that the plan would fail, committed suicide. The latter reason is likely since David's return would almost certainly have meant Ahithophel's execution. Absalom appointed Amasa, son of David's half-sister and cousin to Joab, to lead his troops. Joab trounced the inexperienced general and Absalom and his army fled in panic through the treacherous wilderness. Absalom was trapped, perhaps by his beautiful hair, in the branches of a large tree.

Why did Joab kill Absalom? Was for the same reason that he failed to give greater aid to Absalom in Jerusalem? Or, was it a matter of practicality and perhaps to protect his king? Many people followed Absalom, and Joab knew that David had no intention of executing his son if he survived the battle. If Absalom lived, what would the future bring? How long before Absalom again tried to take the throne from David?

Next time: David Again Mourns an Enemy

War with Absalom

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2 Samuel 14:25 - 16:4

Though he returned to Jerusalem, Absalom was not called to the king's court for two years. At the end of this time, Absalom tried to summon Joab to talk to the king in his behalf, but was rebuffed. Why Joab went to the trouble to get David's son called back to the capital, but then halted his efforts on his behalf. Perhaps David had commanded Joab to desist, or perhaps he convinced Joab that the reconciliation would not come and the general decided that the king's friendship was more important to him than Absalom's. Though setting Joab's field on fire did get his attention (14:30) and David officially reconciled with Absalom, apparently the relationship between the two was gone and Absalom began to plot his father's overthrow.

It didn't take Absalom forty years to accomplish his plan. That number of years may refer to the time since David was anointed king. Some ancient versions of the text say "four years". The plot even included David's chief advisor, and caught the king by surprise. He and his followers were forced to flee Jerusalem. Ittai was in no danger from Absalom, so David encouraged him not to join the other exiles (15:19), but Ittai chose to remain with the king.

Chapter 15:25-26 show us David's faith in his God. It is usually in times of trial and stress that we begin to doubt God in our lives. David was in flight from his own son and in danger of death, but to him God was still his Lord and whatever God chose to allow in his life would not change his conviction that God's will was always right and just.

The depth of the rebellion is again demonstrated when Ziba, servant of the Mephibosheth (Saul's grandson) arrives with supplies to support David. The servant explains to the king that Mephibosheth is in hopes that Absalom will succeed in his rebellion and restore Saul's kingdom to his grandson. Though his story may not prove to be completely true, David at this time promises Mephibosheth's properties to the servant.

Next time: Curses and Rebellion

More Family Trouble

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2 Samuel 13:1 - 14:24

David was very angry when he heard that Amnon had raped his half-sister, (Tamar and her brother Absalom were born to David's wife, Maacah), but apparently David did nothing in response (vs.21). Instead of dealing with the brutal act, David let his family grow angrier and more bitter as time went on. Absalom's anger and rage finally resulted in Amnon's death.

Legally, Amnon could not have married Tamar (vs.13), but Tamar seems to have believed that David could have made an exception, or was perhaps just trying to escape Amnon's intention to rape her.

Amnon was not only unhealthily obsessed with his half-sister, but there was also something wrong in his relationship with David that is not explained by the author. Amnon used deceit of the worst sort to trick David into sending Tamar into his presence so that he could rape her. And, why did he hate her as soon as he had raped her(vs.15)? Amnon sounds like a case for today's psychologists, and law enforcement. His cousin, Jonadab was not a man of honor either, having come up with the plot for Amnon.

Absalom committed his great sin and breach of the law when he arranged for Amnon's murder. Instead of demanding justice for his sister from David, and very much like Amnon, he plotted his action and deceived his father. Here again, there is a relationship breach between father and son.

Jonadab appears again over two years later in the account, bringing his Uncle David the assurance that all of his sons had not been murdered, but only Amnon (13:32).

Chapter 14 tells the story of the long process of restoring Absalom to his father's presence, but the damage between King David and his son was not really healed, as we will see in upcoming chapters.

This family upheaval may have been included by the author simply to say that the foundering of David's family, caused by his sin and prophesied by God, had begun. It demonstrates again that the Old Testament heroes were not "whitewashed" by the Scripture writers.

Next time: War with Absalom

The Wife of Uriah

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2 Samuel 11:1 - 12:31

Why did Jesus have to come to us, live with us, die for us? Because not one of us has ever been able to live a sinless life. Even David, Moses, and Abraham, all chosen by God, could not live sinless lives. They would have suffered eternal death without the salvation won for them and us by Christ on the cross.

Upon hearing of Bathsheba's pregnancy, David's first thought was to get Uriah home, and put him on "leave" quickly so that he would think that the child was his own. But Uriah's sense of loyalty prevented him from going home, thus adding to the tragedy of the story by showing us his faithfulness to king, country, and his men. David, failing in his plan, sent a message by the soldier's own hand to Joab—ordering that Uriah be placed in the heat of battle to be killed.

David and Bathsheba were in trouble. Uriah hadn't had relations with his wife, yet she was pregnant. This was obvious evidence of adultery, and the king's guilt would become known. David was the chief judge of the land and the penalty for adultery was death. He acted out of panic to cover his sin.

The prophet Nathan was a great blessing and friend to David. At God's direction he took his life in his hands (or better, left his life in God's hands) and confronted his king with the truth. David responded in repentance. Though David and Bathsheba suffered because of their sin, God's forgiveness was complete. David remained a man whom God loved. Bathsheba's second son was especially loved by God and He made this clear to them.

Nathan's story forced David to see himself. How often we are able to justify our most defiant sins in our own minds, yet when we see the same sin in another, we are outraged. Once the sin becomes not a sin to us, we have fallen into Satan's trap. We all have times when we need Nathans. We need to pay attention to what they say.

Next time: More family trouble

Jonathan’s Son in David’s Court

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2 Samuel 9:1-10:19

David actively searched for any descendants of Jonathan's who might still be alive. He discovered Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, crippled when dropped by his nurse as she fled after hearing that Ishbosheth was about to be killed. This young man remained in the king's palace, honored as the son of David's friend. David also returned all of Saul's possessions and personal properties to Saul's grandson.

The king also attempted kindness toward the kingdom of Nahash (10:2), who had been an ally, or at least a non-enemy, to David since Saul had beaten Nahash in battle early in his reign. David's attempt at kindness was rebuffed, his representatives humiliated, and war ensued.

Zadok the priest entered the king's life in today's chapters (8:17). How he came to be so important we don't know, yet Zadok and his descendants served as high priests for hundreds of years.

The stories of the Old Testament are true, but not complete. (God preserved everything that was valuable or necessary for us to know, but not everything that would be interesting to know.) The authors and the people of their time knew the stories through oral tradition and the monuments and festival celebrations of their culture. They didn't know that God would use their writing as a part of His word to us thousands of years later. I experienced an example of this myself —I was going though family pictures from nearly a hundred years ago and came upon a postcard with a relative's picture on it. The person had written a note on the back and signed it, "Guess I don't have to sign this!" Everyone back then knew who she was—sure wish I did.

Everything that David did was according to the will of God. The Lord blessed his military strategies and his ability to organize the kingdom and his court. All of the spoil that David collected in battle he dedicated to God. His eyes were focused where they needed to be, on his Lord, but that was about to change. The perfect king was about to stumble badly.

Next time: The wife of Uriah

A Temple is Promised

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2 Samuel 7:1 – 8:18

David set out to build a house for God, but God replied that He would build a house for David instead. God reconfirmed His covenant with His people and with the house of David, from whose line the Christ would be born.

There had been songs about David's great victories, and his fame as a warrior was widespread. He had succeeded Saul as king and ended the threat from the Philistines, something no one else had been able to do. His wealth and family grew quickly. That kind of situation can ruin a humble man, turning him into an arrogant despot, but it had not yet done that to David. This man of great fame walked to his private quarters, sat down, and began praising God, amazed that God would choose to bless him.

In our culture we emphasize the importance of working our own way to "success", and of viewing people as deserving of good things. The feeling of ownership is an important part of our lives. Is it any wonder that we can easily forget that we have done nothing to deserve God's gracious gifts? David understood that we are all sinners, undeserving of the good things and blessings that God showers on us.

God is at the center of our lives and everything that we have is a gift from Him and is owned by Him. We do rejoice in our successes, families, our hard work and abilities, but always in the knowledge that they are all blessings from God, not because we are so deserving, but because He is so loving and generous.

In verse 2, we are introduced to Nathan, a prophet of great importance in David's life. This time, he has a wonderful message from God for David, but like all true prophets he will always bring the truth to his king. There will come a time when the message will be quite different.

Chapter 8 is a listing of the many military accomplishments of David, along with a listing of his trusted officials.

Next time: Jonathan's Son in David's Court

The Ark Comes to Jerusalem

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2 Samuel 6:1–23

The ark had not been moved since being captured by the Philistines a hundred years before. They had and sent it back after God sent disasters on the Philistine cities.

Perhaps the proper way to handle the ark had been forgotten. Loading it on an ox cart, even a new one, was forbidden. It was to be carried by the Levites. God's instructions were ignored, placing Uzzah in danger, and ultimately costing his life (vs.6-7).

David did not understand Uzzah's death, and waited three months to continue the journey (vs.11). God blessed the family housing the ark, perhaps an assurance to David of the Lord's forgiveness and permission to bring the ark to the capital to rejoin the tabernacle.

Uzzah died because God cannot tolerate sin. However, out of His love, He sent His Son to die for our sin (and Uzzah's) and thus grant us eternal life with Him. Jesus showed us both God's love and that God is transcendent; He is like us, but not like us. He is our Father, yet we hold Him in awe. We honor and obey Him in response to His activity in our lives and in response to the gracious gift of forgiveness and eternal life that we receive at no cost to us, but at great cost to Him.

When the ark finally came to Jerusalem, it was with ceremony, music, and dancing (King David danced "with all his might"—vs.14). How odd that today churches sometimes shy away from worshiping our God in ways that they deem too "disrespectful", such as modern dance, exciting music, and loud instruments, but still cling to ceremony. All were once part of worship.

Michal, David's wife, was quite offended by his celebration because it did not fit her vision of a king who ruled over a nation (vs.20). She felt he had acted in a way demeaning to his position. To Michal, a king had no need to be humble before God, especially in front of his people—perhaps something she learned from her failed father, King Saul?

Next time: A Temple is Promised