Tag: 2 Samuel

Links for today’s readings:

Read: 2  Samuel 3 Listen: (6:35) Read: Revelation 13 Listen: (3:20)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 3.9-10, 17-21

9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.

17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king. 18 Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.’ ” 19 Abner also spoke to the Benjamites in person. Then he went to Hebron to tell David everything that Israel and the whole tribe of Benjamin wanted to do. 20 When Abner, who had twenty men with him, came to David at Hebron, David prepared a feast for him and his men. 21 Then Abner said to David, “Let me go at once and assemble all Israel for my lord the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may rule over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

Reflection: Beware Opportunistic Power Brokers

By John Tillman

When Abner slept with Rizpah, one of Saul’s former concubines, it justifiably raised eyebrows.

Sleeping with a king’s concubines, as demonstrated during Absalom’s coup against David, was ethically and politically offensive. It insulted the king’s memory and implied taking the king’s place. Abner’s relationship with Rizpah may or may not have been consensual and may or may not have been a political move. Abner could have been attempting to have an heir, through Rizpah, to replace Ish-Bosheth.

Given this, Ish-Bosheth was not overreacting to question Abner’s intentions. When challenged, Abner reacted angrily. He claimed loyalty to “Saul’s house” but then immediately pledged to betray that loyalty.

Threatening Ish-Bosheth to his face, Abner revealed that he knew about Samuel’s prophecy that God would give the kingdom to David. (1 Samuel 15.28) Abner may have been standing there when Samuel said it, or Saul may have told him. Nevertheless, he knew Samuel’s words. This means that Abner knew David was God’s rightful king, yet threw his political acumen and influence behind Ish-Bosheth and spilled blood to challenge David’s position.

Abner left Ish-Bosheth and went from resisting God’s will to working to bring it about. However, this wasn’t a “Damascus road” experience similar to Paul’s conversion in the New Testament. Abner didn’t see God as Paul saw Jesus. He just got caught in an embarrassing scandal and sought political cover with his enemies. Abner wasn’t converted to faithfulness to God. Abner was an opportunist and a power broker. He was just being faithful to himself and nursing a grievance.

Many, like Abner, attempt to align themselves with God’s kingdom for the sake of their own grievances, whether personal or political. We live in a cultural civil war that we pray will not become an actual civil war. Recent political tides pushed culture war issues to the top of everyone’s social media timelines, news broadcasts, and article headlines.

Grievances abound. Some culture warriors (both conservative and liberal) have sought out the church to defend their politics. Let us be cautious not to mistake those seeking Jesus’ support for their politics for those submitting their lives to his rule and reign. However, even opportunistic power brokers can be converted. Just ask Paul. (Philippians 3.4-7)

Let us check our own motives and confess our own grievances and grudges. Let us welcome all who come, regardless of motivations, and seek to convert all seekers of truth to join Christ’s kingdom.

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus taught us, saying: If I were to seek my own glory, my glory would be worth nothing; in fact, my glory is conferred by the Father by the one of whom you say, “He is our God,” although you do not know him. But I know him, and if I were to say, “I do not know him,” I should be a liar…But I do know him and keep his word. — John 8.54.56

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Our Opportunistic Opponent

Resist Satan and he will flee. But just as when Satan left Jesus in the wilderness, he is only waiting for an opportune time to return.

Our Opportunistic Opponent

Listen to: Dealing with Joab

As I look more clearly at Joab that I see that he didn’t reverence God. He reverenced David.

Links for today’s readings:

Read: 2  Samuel 2 Listen: (5:07) Read: Revelation 12 Listen: (2:58)

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 2.4-8

4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. 9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.

Reflection: Who’s The King?

By John Tillman

Who’s the king now?

Following the crushing military defeat that led to Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, many tribes must have been in disarray and at least partly under Philistine control. There was a leadership crisis.

One tribe, Benjamin, led by Abner, anointed Saul’s son, Ish-Bosheth, king. One tribe, Judah, led by Joab and other “sons of Zeruiah” anointed David king. Which was the rightful ruler?

Who anoints kings or brings them down? Scripture says God does, but it’s not that simple. Sometimes God acts directly for or against rulers, but usually God sovereignly allows humans (or uses them) to raise up and throw down kings.

Who are the “kings” we have anointed over us or our tribe? This could include governmental leaders, but think beyond political “kings.” Friends, co-workers, bosses, advisors, or family members can be our “kings.” We can set up ideologies, cultural norms, or desires as “kings” over us. Who have we raised up? Who should we throw down?

Humans often choose kings for sinful reasons of fear, pride, and vengeance. Fear demands protection, pride demands power, and vengeance demands the punishment of enemies. Even if we choose the “right” king, we can go wrong. For example, Joab served the rightful king with a sinful heart that brought betrayal, destruction, and death.

David was a better king than Saul and many other biblical kings. However, David ultimately was not the king God truly wanted. God’s anointing of David was not about David anymore than his promise to Eve was about Eve. God promised Eve a snake-crushing seed. God anointed Jesus as that snake-crusher through David. Jesus is the anointed one. David is just his flawed human forerunner.

God seems comfortable working through long lines of broken and tragic humans. We aren’t. We want pretty myths with quick answers and uncomplicated heroes or villains. This drives a tendency towards extremes. We either clean David up, pretending he was worthier than scripture testifies or call him a villain and ignore moments in which God’s heart shone through him. We do the same thing with human or other kings.

Every king is a mixed bag. We must tell the whole truth, good and bad, about them. We must root out any sinful motivations for our earthly allegiances. Whoever God raises up or casts down, we owe no king but Jesus unswerving loyalty.

Serve the rightful king in a righteous way.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Bless God in the congregation; bless the Lord, you that are of the fountain of Israel. — Psalm 68.26

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Conflict’s Aftermath

Polarized. This word is the constant summary of our life lately. Every area seems to be weighted down in conflict.

Conflict’s Aftermath

Read more: Blocking the Way of Wickedness

We don’t always have a choice about working with or living among wicked people, but we can choose how we respond.

Blocking the Way of Wickedness

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 1.17-18
17 David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, 18 and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow…

Originally published on September 7, 2023, based on readings from 2 Samuel 1.17-18.

Readers’ Choice is here: There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, or filling out the linked form.

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:
Brian, MT — A lot to think about on this topic.  Never thought about that way. Thanks for sharing the insight on an important matter.

Reflection: Eulogize your Enemy? — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton

Would you write a eulogy for your enemy? If someone targeted your life, would you speak kind words in memory of their death? The questions sound absurd.

When God’s anointing passed from Saul to David, the king sought to kill him. With every turn, David’s life was in mortal danger. There was no peace between them. In the end, however, the news of Saul’s death stirred David to write a dirge, a funeral song.

The book of Psalms is filled with songs of lament that seek the favor of God and reflect upon God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. This song is different. There are no calls to God or reflections of past hope. It is very much a eulogy for Saul and Jonathan. A funeral song for a man who hated David and a man who loved David—a friend and a foe.

It is little wonder that David felt compelled to sing praises of his closest friend. It is unthinkable that he would do the same for Saul. What compels David to give such honor to someone who, by all accounts, did not deserve it?

The answer is David’s relationship with God. The words were honoring Saul and Jonathan, but the motivation was to honor God. For all the years of hiding in the wilderness or dodging assassination attempts, David waited patiently to see the outworking of his anointing. He never raised a hand against Saul, though he was tempted on occasion!

How we speak of the dead reveals one aspect of our relationship with God. David likely struggled with hoping for Saul’s demise so that his future would be secured. He had enough reasons to be opposed to the king. His faith, however, would not allow him to act upon such thoughts.

Each person is born as the image of God. Each person dies as the same image of God. How do we easily honor new life at birth, pure and innocent, and dishonor the same life in death, ravaged by sin and broken? We cannot celebrate evil, but we must find space to honor God at death. It is a difficult task; one we may spend our lives trying to understand.

Like David, Jesus speaks words of grace about his enemies, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Perhaps, we can learn that relationships with our enemies are a reflection of our relationship with God.

From John: The Divine Hours prayers will return in October. This month we will pray one scripture passage or verse each week.

Prayer:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5.44-45

​Today’s Readings
Jeremiah 52 (Listen 5:49)
2 Corinthians 11 (Listen 4:46)

Read more about Eating With Enemies
When Christ leads us into the heavenly city, we will find ourselves dining and worshiping with people we harmed or who harmed us.

Eating With Enemies

Read more about Do You Know The Enemy?
Do we remember who the real enemy is or are we too focused on the powers of this earth?

Do You Know The Enemy?

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 21.15-22
15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” 

18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 

19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. 

20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. 

22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

“It’s more the size of who you put your faith in, than the size of your foe…” — Rich Mullins, “What Trouble are Giants”

Reflection: David’s First and Last Giants
By John Tillman

In David’s first battle, he felled a giant. In his last, he fell before one. Both times, he praised God. 

David grew weary in the battle. Don’t we all?

The word translated “exhausted” in the NIV has a range of meanings from simple tiredness to a complete loss of consciousness. Whether David’s sword arm was simply tired, or whether he was struck unconscious by a blow, or whether age or ill health caused him to faint, a battle is a bad place to be vulnerable. 

David was famous for killing Goliath but Goliath was not the only giant in the land. Ishbi-Benob had a spear tip about half the weight of Goliath’s and threatened to kill the giant-killer, David.

David was saved, and the giant killed, by Abishai, one of Israel’s mightiest warriors. David’s men were shocked at the close call and forbade him from going out to battle again. In future battles, even more giants fell, including Goliath’s brother. (2 Samuel 21.19)

In the battles we face, it may seem we are surrounded by giants. How should we deal with the challenges that face us?

Don’t fight giants tired. Don’t fight giants in your own strength. Don’t fight giants alone. 

Like David, weariness may come at dangerous times. We can’t choose the timing of every battle but we should be realistic about our strengths and our weaknesses and be as prepared as possible. How are you resting for the next battle? How are you renewing your strength in Christ? What precautions are you taking for your weaknesses?

Don’t fight giants alone or in your own strength. Regardless of our age or experience, giants don’t go down easily. Even in “single combat” against Goliath, David wasn’t alone. Without God, Goliath would have certainly won and without Abishai, Ishbi-Benob would have. David gave God credit for both victories. (2 Samuel 22.1-3)

Whether through a well-thrown stone or a well-placed ally, it is God who saves us from giants. Who do you call when giants threaten? Who near you might God use to save you when you are weakened?

Many aspire to be like David in his youth, facing a giant alone, winning against unwinnable odds. But there is also honor and wisdom in age, experience, and leadership. A hero may kill a giant but a leader trains giant killers.

Are you raising up those with faith to stand against foes of any size?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your Name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness. — Psalm 115.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Readings
2 Samuel 21 (Listen 4:34) 
Psalms 11-12 (Listen 1:59) 

Read more about The King We Want
I’ve sent a king, God says
Unlike any you’ve seen
Son of the Giant Killer
Yet rejected as your ruler

The King We Want

Read more about Supporting Our Work
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Supporting our Work

Scripture Focus: 2 Samuel 14.1, 19-20
1 Joab son of Zeruiah knew that the king’s heart longed for Absalom… 

19 The king asked, “Isn’t the hand of Joab with you in all this?” 
The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything my lord the king says. Yes, it was your servant Joab who instructed me to do this and who put all these words into the mouth of your servant. 20 Your servant Joab did this to change the present situation…

Reflection: Joab’s Play
By John Tillman

Joab is one of the most fascinating and frustrating characters in the Bible. On one page, he’s a heroic general and David’s loyal friend. On the next, he’s an out-of-control assassin. He’d risk life and reputation to carry out David’s will, even when it was murder. Then he’d risk the same to subvert David’s will, even when it was peaceful.

In this chapter, Joab acts not as a military tactician but a dramatic one. He writes a script, a compelling, emotional story. He casts an actress, a wise woman in her own right. He plans the production for maximum effect on David and the public opinion of the court.

Plays often carry great truth and wisdom. Joab, as playwright, gave his actress these wise words: “But that [banishment] is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” Joab wrote a gospel play for David. Why? “To change the present situation,” the wise woman tells us.

Joab pricked David’s conscience to bring Absalom home. But Joab only cared about David, not Absalom. Also, Absalom was unrepentant. In this same chapter, Joab ignored Absalom until he burned down Joab’s field to get his attention. Later, when commanded by David to spare Absalom, Joab killed him. Joab’s play was to benefit David, not Absalom. 

Despite Joab’s callous reasoning, dishonesty, and inconsistent character, his words hold truth. God devises ways for us, the banished, to come back to him.

But God’s plot goes beyond the shortcomings of Joab’s play. God, the King of Kings, doesn’t have to be shamed into forgiving us. God initiates and accomplishes our return. God doesn’t receive us just to make himself feel better or look better. It’s us he wants, not good PR.

Unlike Absalom, we don’t need to burn anything down to get God’s attention. He doesn’t say, like David, “Come back, but you can’t see my face.” With repentance, we are fully welcomed in. And unlike Absalom, who ended his life hung in a tree, Jesus hung in a tree for us.

Let us be actors in God’s gospel play, taking up our cross and our role. Let us play our part, speaking words that the Holy Spirit puts in our mouths. Let us have faith that if we let the gospel play out in our lives, our words and actions can “change the present situation.”

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, my good above all other.” — Psalm 16.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


Today’s Readings
2 Samuel 14 (Listen 5:57)
Revelation 22 (Listen 3:59)

Read more about Bringing Back the Banished
Our king didn’t grant us partial forgiveness, keeping us from his presence. He died in our place, hung on the tree we were doomed for…

Bringing Back the Banished

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