Highlights:
Saul killed in battle; David mourns the deaths of Saul and Jonathan; David crowned king of the tribe of Judah; Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, made king of 11 tribes of Israel.
Verse for Today:
David inquired of the Lord (II Sam. 2:1).
Now that Saul was dead, Israel was without a king. Who would reign in his place? David had been anointed long ago by Samuel the prophet to be the next king of all Israel (I Sam. 16:13). However, Abner, Saul's cousin and the powerful commander of Saul's army (14:50), was determined to retain his position. He persuaded the elders of Israel to put Saul's son Ish-bosheth on the throne over the 10 tribes.
Saul and David had many similarities; both were anointed king of Israel; both reigned about 40 years; both had the loyal support of Samuel, the prophet of God. But they were very different. Saul was a miserable failure and David a successful king.
Saul was a self-willed man who made decisions without waiting for God to direct him. David never lost sight of his need to pray and wait upon the Lord to fulfull His promises at His appointed time. David could have felt justified to face Abner in battle for his right as the God-anointed King of Israel.
Even after Saul was dead, David made no effort to claim his right to be king. Instead, David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. . . . the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over . . . Judah (II Sam. 2:1,4).
One of David's greatest desires was to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. With this in mind, we can better appreciate his patience in waiting for the time God appointed (see Ps. 27:4).
Every child of God is more precious to our Heavenly Father than His home in Solomon's Temple, for you are the Temple of God. . . . His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. . . . Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets . . . in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy Temple in the Lord (I Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:10,20-21).
How many there are who jump at opportunities for personal advancement rather than seek God and His plan for our lives. But we need not fight for our rights. David prayed for the will of God to be done in His way and at His time. There is a peaceful rest for those who wait patiently for the Lord's timing.
Thought for Today:
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him . . . those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth (Ps. 37:7).
Christ Revealed:
In David's sorrowful poem (II Sam. 1:17-27) he did not dwell upon all his years of suffering at the hand of Saul but dwelt only upon the pleasant things. David typifies Christ, who forgave His enemies, crying from the cross: Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34).
Word Studies:
1:2 did obeisance =bowed in honor; 1:9 anguish =extreme pain; 1:18 use of the bow =long of the bow; 2:6 requite =repay; 2:14 play before us =hold a contest as to which side has the best soldiers; 2:17 sore =fierce; 2:26 following =pursuing; 2:32 sepulchre =tomb.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Kevin Brady (TX) • Country: El Salvador (5.9 million) in Central America • Major language: Spanish • Some intolerance of Protestants by government officials • 75% Catholic; 20% Protestant; .5% Baha'i; 2.5% Other; 2% None • Prayer Suggestion: Wives, ask the Lord to give you a submissive spirit to your husbands as if it were to the Lord (Eph. 5:22).
Optional Reading: Acts 12
Memory Verse for the Week:
Matthew 6:11
