2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Ones,
Today, I am led to continue our look into the events that followed David’s covenant with Jonathan that reveal how covenants transcend generations and apply to the entire family of those who participate in them. At this point in the story, Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, was introduced in 2 SAM 4: 4 as a five year old, whose nurse accidentally dropped him, crippling him upon hearing the news that Saul and Jonathan had been killed at Mt. Gilboa. Abner, Saul’s uncle and Ishbosheth’s army commander, was murdered cruelly by David’s army commander and nephew, Joab, without David’s knowledge or permission. When David found out about the revenge Joab had taken for the death of his own brother at Gibeon, he was angry and stated that Joab had brought the curse of punishment upon himself and his family for breaking his covenant with David and God to serve David loyally [2 SAM 3: 29-30]. Following that, two of Ishbotsheth’s officers, sneaked into their king’s quarters while he was taking a midday nap, and murdered him [2 SAM 4: 7]. David’s faithfulness in keeping the covenant agreement he had with Jonathan is seen once again when he ordered the death of the two officers who murdered Ishbosheth when they brought the king’s head to David [2 SAM 4: 11-12].
An important part of the Lord’s plan is His claim on the city He loves, Jerusalem, "the city on the hill" [MT 5 : 14-16]. I mention this because in this next phase of David’s story, we get to see how God is able to use him to establish the capital of Israel in the city of God’s choice, Jerusalem. PS 87: 1-2 (probably written by David) not only reveals God’s attitude toward Jerusalem, but also that David understood it. "The Lord built His city on the sacred hill [Mt. Moriah], more than any other place in Israel He loves the city of Jerusalem. " David also understood God’s willingness to remain with him and see him to victory over the Philistines. Note how David remains connected to God and is open to God’s direction throughout this series of events. 2 SAM 5: 1-5, "Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and said to him, ‘We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even when Saul was still our king, you led the people of Israel in battle, and the Lord promised you that you would lead His people and be their ruler. ‘ So all the leaders of Israel came to King David at Hebron. He made a sacred alliance with the, they anointed him, and he became king of Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he ruled for forty years. He ruled in Hebron over Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years."
RO 12: 2 deserves mention here, because it reveals the mechanism by which God through the Holy Spirit can cause a person to have a change in his way of thinking. "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by the renewal of your mind. Then you will able to know the will of God-what is good and pleasing to Him and is perfect." This supernatural power that God has is seen often in David’s story, e.g. Abner’s change of allegiance and the attitude toward David of the kings of Israel that had been loyal to Ishbosheth.
God’s will is surely carried out when David and his men mount a battle campaign against the Jebusites, Canaanite inhabitants of the area around Mt. Moriah. David captured the city contrary to the Jebusite’s idea that he could never do that. The fortress at Zion was taken, and it became known as "David’s City" (7). 2 SAM 5: 9-12, "After capturing the fortress, David lived in it and named it "David’s City." He built the city around it, starting at the place where land was filled in on the east side of the hill. He grew stronger all the time, because the Lord God Almighty [El Shaddai] was with him. King Hiram of Tyre sent a trade mission to David; he provided him with cedar logs and with carpenters and stone masons to build a palace. And so, David realized that the Lord had established him as king of Israel and was making his kingdom prosperous for the sake of His people." Remember JER 29: 11-13? If not, review it to see how it applies here. David moved from Hebron to Jerusalem, married more wives, and took in more concubines. Eleven more children were born to him [2 SAM 5: 13-16].
In 2 SAM 5: 17-25, we see God’s presence and guidance in David’s efforts to fight the Philistines who had occupied the Rephaim Valley twice. God told David to attack them and led him to victory in that battle (17-21). The enemy fled, leaving their pagan idols behind them, idols which David and his men collected and got rid of. Once again, the tenacious Philistines occupied the Rephaim Valley. This time God directed David not to attack them directly, but to attack them from the other side near the balsam trees. 2 SAM 5: 34-25, "’When you hear the sound of marching in the treetops [God said to David], then attack because I will be marching ahead of your to defeat the Philistines.’ David did what the Lord had commanded, and was able to drive the Philistines back from Geba all the way to Gezer." These were the events that went on while Mephibosheth, Saul’s son was growing up. Our most important lessons from them is 1) to realize that God’s will shall be done, 2) to see the need to keep our covenant agreements with him as David did, so that the maximum opportunity is made available for God’s agenda to be forwarded, and 3) to recognize that if God’s hand of protection was on David in doing His will, then it is also on us when we do it. We should go on our knees often and listen for God’s direction, not only in solving our own problems but in seeking out His will. Ask not only, "What can He do for us," but also ask, "What can we do for Him?"
PRAYER: O Lord, the question frequently arises when we pray to You, "Is this really what You want us to do to carry out Your will?" You hear our prayers, especially when they are in line with Your will. We recognize that our perception of reality and truth is not as perfect as Yours. That is why we need You to answer that question. We cannot always see the big picture that You see, and You know that. Sometimes we question if we are really qualified and able to do what You have commanded. We do know this, that when we obey and things work out as they did for David, that is one way that You show us we are doing Your will. To really be Your servant, we must keep seeking Your out often in prayer, through studying Your word, through our congregations, and through our circumstances. Your immediate will for David was to establish himself as king of Israel, to have Jerusalem as its capital, and defeat the Philistines with Your help. Your immediate will for us is what You will reveal when we seek You out for how we can serve You. You also want us to be Your friends and allow You to be ours. It is Your love and compassion that motivate Your attitude and commands to us. We are privileged to have a Deity Who loves us so much that He wants only what is best for us, including an eternal life of joy and fellowship with him. You are there, eager to stand in the gap for us. We dedicate ourselves to making ourselves available to You to do Your will. We humbly approach Your altar and offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, trust, obedience, glory, honor, praise, and thanks. In Christ’s name, amen.
More events significant to the history of Israel involving David happen before Mephibosheth reaches manhood. In them, we can see David’s tenacious faithfulness and God’s guidance and loving hand. These will be the subject of tomorrow’s message. Keeping covenant promises is not always easy, particularly when we are in the "belly of the spiritual warfare beast." Sometimes this comes from without and sometimes from within, but the Lord loves us enough to see how David worked through the challenges to his faith and obedience, so that we can get an idea how he wants us to work through ours. God loves each of you, and so do Peter and I.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn