Devotionary

With the opening of 1 Kings, we see David in the waning days of his kingdom and life. He is old and bed-ridden, and while Solomon was God’s appointed successor to David’s throne, he would face an unexpected challenger: His own half-brother, Adonijah. This scene is eerily reminiscent of Absalom’s attempt to usurp the throne from David. Once again, we see one of David’s sons exhibiting disrespectful and rebellious tendencies, all because David had failed to provide him with proper guidance and discipline in his life. In 1 Kings 1:1-10, Adonijah will mirror the methodology used by Absalom in order to win over some of David’s key advisors and leaders, including Joab, his former military commander and Abiathar, the priest. David, relegated to his bed, would be able to do little to stop what was about to happen. In his younger days, he had suffered from complacency and indecisiveness. Now, he was hampered by debility and helplessness.

David had made a huge mistake and realized it. So, he confessed his sin to God. But there was still payment due for his sin. David’s actions had been representative of the heart of the nation. His trust in God, like that of the people, had begun to diminish. As his reign neared its end and his power and prestige had grown, he had begun to get cocky, believing that his military might was the reason for all his success. As a nation, they were enjoying the fruits of David’s military exploits. It was a time of peace. They had defeated all their enemies. And, as a result, they had become complacent about their relationship with God. David had seen the error of his way, but he was still going to have to pay the piper. And in 2 Samuel 24:11-25, we’ll see God giving a David a choice of judgments. His sin was going to require blood sacrifice. He had offended a holy God and, even with his confession, restitution would have to be made.

Why is it that those who claim to have trust in God tend to struggle so much with trusting Him? We claim to believe He is all-powerful, loving, and kind. But then we turn around and place our hope and trust in things other than God. And David was no different. He was a man after God’s own heart who sometimes let his heart go after other things. And in 2 Samuel 24:1-10, we see David getting in trouble with God, because he decided to take a census that would reveal just how big a standing army he could muster if he needed to. And God didn’t take David’s decision too well. For one thing, it was not something God had ordered him to do. Secondly, it revealed that David had begun to believe his own press, thinking that it was his military power that made him great. When all along it had been God. Late in his life, David would learn the invaluable, yet painful, lesson that God is enough. No census necessary.  

It seems a bit odd that when David compiled the list of his mighty men, he conspicuously left off one name: That of his long-term friend and commander of his army: Joab. There is no doubt that David and Joab didn’t always see eye to eye. But that David would leave this one man out of his list of those who had performed mighty deeds on his behalf, shows that David had never gotten over Joab’s insubordination. But the truth is, Joab was the most likely candidate for a best friend that David had. He was willing to speak up. He wasn’t afraid to point out David’s faults and to call him on the carpet when he thought it was necessary. Joab wasn’t a fair-weather friend. And he wasn’t the type to ply David with false flattery. He loved him enough to say the tough things. But as we will see in 2 Samuel 23:24-39, Joab’s name is nowhere to be found.  

There is a lot said about friendship in the Bible. And in the story of the life of David, we are told about the friendship between David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul. When Jonathan was killed in battle against the Philistines, David mourned his loss. But 2 Samuel 23:8-23 makes it clear that David had other friends and companions along the way. His circuitous journey to the throne of Israel was not done in a vacuum. From the very moment he fled from Jerusalem, seeking to put some distance between himself and Saul, David found himself surrounded by men who not only loved him, but were willing to die for him. And these men would stick with David through thick and thin, all the way to the bitter end. Even when he made the ill-fated decision to seek refuge in Philistia, they refused to abandon their friend and leader. The godly life is difficult, and it only becomes harder if we attempt to live it without the help of friends who share our faith and are committed to our growth.

David was a shepherd who became a king. But even as the God-appointed sovereign over the nation of Israel, David’s role was remained primarily that of a shepherd. He was to care for and protect the sheep of God’s flock. And according to Psalm 78:72, he did his job well. “With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” But, as we come to the end of David’s long and action-packed life, we are going to see that his reign had a time limit. His days on earth were going to run out. But the promises God made to David would not. He would be faithful to place a descendant of David on his throne who would rule and reign forever. There was going to come another ruler from the lineage of David, who would also be a Shepherd King. He would prove to be the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise. And while He does not currently sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem, one day He will. And He will prove to be a just and righteous king.

As we continue to unpack this incredible song written by David early in his career and revisited in the closing days of his reign, we can see just how highly David regarded God. In his mind, there were no other gods. Sure, there were idols, but they were nothing – merely statues made with human hands and devoid of any power. But his God was different. His God was real and totally reliable. He was powerful and providential. And, in spite of God’s other-worldly, transcendent nature, David knew Him to be intimately involved in every aspect of his life. His God was involved. In fact, nothing of value David had ever accomplished in life had happened without God’s help. David was a God-made man, not a self-made one. His life had been given to him by God. His reign had been ordained by God. His position as king had been appointed by God. And he never forgot it.

If you had to write a song expressing your views of God, what would it say? If you had to write a poem describing your understanding of who God is and how He has worked in your life, would it be filled with words of flattery or frustration? It would probably depend on your most recent experience with God. If, in your mind, He had been good to you, you would probably sing His praises. But if things had not turned out quite like you wanted them to, you might be a bit less-than-positive in your assessment of Him. But in 2 Samuel 22:17-31, we continue to see the words David penned immediately after he had been delivered from the hand of Saul. Let’s face it, at that particular moment in his life, David had a lot he could have complained about. But rather than whine and moan, David glorified God and declared that His way is perfect. Pretty amazing when you consider all the things that had happened to him on his way to the throne.

David was the king and spiritual shepherd of Israel. But he was also an accomplished musician who had a strong appreciation for a good tune and well-written lyrics. And in 2 Samuel 22:1-16, we have a song of his own composition that reveals his outlook on God. Written early on in his reign, not long after his deliverance from the hand of Saul and his establishment on the throne of Israel, this song communicates David’s feelings about his God. He had been through a lot. He had endured a great deal of suffering and put up with his fair share of difficulties over the years. Anointed by the prophet of God to be the next king of Israel, David had found himself running for his life – the focus of an ongoing and unrelenting effort on the part of King Saul to put him to death. And yet, David had nothing but praises to sing about his God. He knew Him well. If he had learned anything during his days as a fugitive, he had learned that his God could be trusted to guide and provide. He was a reliable resource in the most

These closing chapters of the book of Second Samuel contain a series of isolated vignettes from David’s life. They are not in any particular chronological order, but are intended to act as events along David’s timeline that summarize his reign. In 2 Samuel 21:15-22, the emphasis is on the war that David waged against the Philistines throughout his lifetime. From the day he had slain Goliath, the Philistine champion, to the last moment of his life, David had been forced to do battle with this perennial enemy of Israel. And as we’ll see, David and his men would face some formidable foes from the Philistine camp. These men were super-sized and larger-than-life. But regardless of their stature, these Philistines would be no match for David and his men, because they had God on their side. The Philistines were great, but God was greater.

What happens when the people of God fail to seek the will of God? Nothing good. And that conclusion is fully supported in 2 Samuel 21:1-14, where we have the story of a severe famine in the land of Israel. This devastating natural disaster had been going on for three full years and, eventually, David decided to seek God in order to determine whether it was a form of divine punishment. And David would discover that the famine was directly tied to a sin Saul had committed years earlier. He had broken a covenant Joshua had made with the Gibeonites, putting some of them to death. The book of Joshua makes it clear that the Israelites had not sought God’s will in the matter. And Saul’s decision to kill some of the Gibeonites was also done outside the will of God, breaking the covenant commitment and reflecting poorly on God, because the oath the Israelites had sworn their oath before the Lord and in His name.    

You can surround yourself with successful people who appear to have their act together. But success is not a sign of wisdom. And we can see the truth of that statement in 2 Samuel 20:14-26, as we are introduced to a simple, yet wise woman. This unnamed individual will play a significant role in protecting the lives of the innocent and keeping powerful men from doing the ungodly and unthinkable. Joab was in the process of besieging a city in Israel where Sheba, the leader of yet another coup against David has sought shelter. Joab, like his boss, could be an impulsive man. And he didn’t always exhibit wisdom in his decision making. But we will see what happens when an obscure, yet wise woman, steps into a volatile and potentially deadly situation, defusing the tension and bringing about a God-honoring outcome. Wisdom really does work. And the wisdom that works best is that which comes from God.

Technically, David has his kingdom back. His rebellious son, Absalom, had been defeated in battle and executed by Joab, David’s military commander. But things were far from stable in Israel. The ten northern tribes were upset over what they believed was a case of favoritism on David’s part. He had chosen his own tribe of Judah to escort him back into the capital. And the other tribes felt slighted. So, they were ripe for yet another uprising led by someone the Scriptures call a “worthless fellow.” In 2 Samuel 20:1-13, we are introduced to Sheba, a Benjaminite who convinced the people to turn against David and reject his kingship. Just when David was trying to solidify his hold on the kingdom, more civil unrest erupted. And all that was happening around David was directly tied to his illicit affair with Bathsheba. David had sowed to the wind and was reaping the whirlwind.

What happens when you leave God out? Nothing good. That was a painful lesson David was going to continue to learn as he desperately tried to unify his fractured kingdom and restore the peoples’ trust in him. But in 2 Samuel 19:31-43, we’re going to see that David had a hard time getting out of his own way. In fact, he was his own worst enemy. His tendency to leave God out of his decision-making was leaving a trail of devastation in his wake. David was faced with all kinds of problems. He had 12 tribes that needed to be wooed and won over. He had damage control to do, in an effort to correct all the bad press Absalom had circulated about him. Not everyone was thrilled with David’s return to Jerusalem. While he seemed to believe that all the tribes were on his side, he was in for a rude awakening. And because he was making decisions without God’s input, some of his bright ideas were going to have dark outcomes.

David may have been a man after God’s own heart, but he had his own fair share of short-comings and human weaknesses. He didn’t always make the wisest decisions. And he seemed to struggle with having discernment. He could be easily swayed and manipulated. He was influenced far too easily by the opinions of others or situational circumstances. And in 2 Samuel 19:24-30, as David continues to reunify his divided kingdom, he is faced with a dilemma. He must make a determination between Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, and Ziba, the former servant of Mephibosheth. These two men presented David with two conflicting stories. One of them was clearly lying. But how was David to discern the truth? How could he make sure that he did the right thing? Being a leader is one thing. Being a wise leader is something else. And being a wise and godly leader is something different altogether. Godly leaders get their wisdom from God. And that seems to be something David had forgotten.

Absalom was dead and David had finally decided to bring his prolonged state of mourning to an end. But David still faced a divided kingdom and had his work cut out for him as he tried to win back the trust of his own people. Absalom had done some serious damage to David’s reputation. He was seen as weak and incapable of meting out justice when needed. And as David faced the gargantuan task of winning back the trust of his people, he began to do what was expedient. Rather than seek the will of God, he made decisions aimed at pleasing the people of God. In 2 Samuel 19:11-23, David is shown to be making yet more poor decisions. There is no indication that he is seeking God’s will or prayerfully considering his options. He appears to be doing what makes the most sense. And, like always, David’s decisions will have long-term ramifications. His choices will come back to haunt him. As he faced a house divided, he was allowing his decision making to be divided by his desire to please the people.

We’ve already seen how, at times, David could struggle with inaction. The only thing he seemed to do on a consistent basis, was nothing at all. And in 2 Samuel 19:1-10, David is shown in a state of unconsolable grief, unable to get over the loss of his rebellious son. But David’s mourning was having a negative influence on the kingdom. The people, who were ready to celebrate David’s victory over his enemy, found themselves down in the dumps because their king was disconsolate and depressed. And it was going to take the harsh words of a loving friend to wake David out of his lethargy and into action. Joab, the man who had taken the life of David’s son, would be the one to confront David about his excessive sorrow. It was time for David to wake up and put on a smile. His people needed to see him rejoicing over their great victory. But it was going to take an in-your-face encounter by a loving friend to help David do what needed to be done.

David had lost his kingdom to his own son. And he had been forced to vacate Jerusalem, depending on a handful of spies to give him updates on conditions in the capital. When the armies of David eventually did battle with those of Absalom, David left word that his son was to be spared. But Joab, David’s military commander, ignored David’s orders and executed Absalom himself. The coup came to an abrupt end, and David was restored to his throne as the king of Israel. When the good news had finally made its way to David, rather than rejoicing over his good fortune, he went into mourning over the death of his son. Once again, we see David responding in a less-than-satisfactory way to the events surrounding his life. He didn’t deal with Joab’s insubordination. He didn’t take Absalom’s death as a sign from God. He simply went into the chamber over the gate and wept. And, as usual his actions would have serious repercussions.

Absalom had stolen the kingdom from his father and deemed himself king. But God had anointed David as the true king of Israel. Now, the conflict was going to come to a final and costly conclusion. Only one man would be standing when the battle was over. And, it doesn’t take a better man to guess that David would be the one sitting on the throne when the day was done. But, as we’ll see in 2 Samuel 18:1-18, his return to the throne would not be without cost. His son would die, along with 20,000 other Israelites. Innocent men would give their lives in a senseless and needless civil war that could be linked all the way back to David’s indiscretion with Bathsheba. And the very fact that his son had been around to lead a coup against him was David’s fault. He had brought all of this on himself. But God, ever faithful, had stepped in and cleaned up David’s mess, restoring him to the throne, but not without the great loss of life.

The hand of God. It’s impossible to see. Or is it? In 2 Samuel 17:15-29, we are given a wonderful lesson on the ever-present reality of God’s hand in the lives of men. He is always there, whether we can see Him or not. He is always at work, whether we realize it or not. And David was about to experience, yet again, the sovereign will of God, orchestrating events in such a way, that His power could be sensed even though His presence remained unseen. Sometimes, the best way to recognize the hand of God is through hindsight. It is after the fact that we get the clearest view of His handiwork. In the midst of the storm and in the heat of the battle, it can sometimes feel as if God is nowhere to be found. But when given the opportunity to look back, we can see His unmistakable fingerprints on all that has happened. The question isn’t whether God is at work, but only how.