Dear all,

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May God strengthen you through His words everyday.

University Bible Fellowship (Hong Kong Centre)

16/9/2025

DAVID MURDERS URIAH TO MARRY HIS WIFE

2 Samuel 11:14-27 / Keywords 11:27

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

11:14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

16 So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17 When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.

18 Joab sent David a full account of the battle. 19 He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, 20 the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth[b]? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’”

22 The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. 23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. 24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.”

25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.”

26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

Footnotes

b. 2 Samuel 11:21 Also known as Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon)

1. David hoped to cover up his adultery by calling Uriah home to his wife, but Uriah would not cooperate. David should have been convicted by his friend’s faithfulness to God and to his king. But David, full of his own power and authority, plotted secretly to put Uriah to death. It was premeditated murder of his good friend.

 

2. David used Joab to accomplish this task, ordering him to put Uriah in the front of the battle to be killed. Joab clearly understood what David was planning, even if he may not know why. Joab cooperated with David, and a good man, Uriah, was cut down.

 

3. David and Joab may have thought they were good friends covering for each other. But their conspiracy was no better than Cain murdering his brother Abel.

 

4. After killing Uriah, David took responsibility for Bathsheba and married her. He may have thought the whole thing was behind him. He got away with it. But what he did displeased God (27).

 

Prayer Father, I cannot hide my sin from you. Nor can I cover my friend’s sins through deception. Let me know with certainty what displeases you in me.

One Word God cannot be mocked (Gal 6:7)

DAVID AND BATHSHEBA

2 Samuel 11:1-13 / Keywords 11:4

Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home.

 

David and Bathsheba

11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.

10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?”

11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents,[a] and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 11:11 Or staying at Sukkoth

1. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, was not fully obedient to God (1Ki 15:5). As his encounter with Goliath propelled him upward, his encounter with Bathsheba led to his downfall: But God was faithful to David. In his story we see ourselves.

 

2. What led David to such action? There is the obvious temptation of her beauty (2b). But look at the repeated use of David’s authority in the verbs, particularly “David sent…” Instead of fighting the war, David sent Joab, while he remained. He sent for Bathsheba (4), sent for Uriah (6). When David began to think he was in control of his life, knowing what was best, sin had him.

 

3. But not all things were in his control. Bathsheba sent word she was pregnant (5). Her husband Uriah, one of David’s mighty men (23:39), was too loyal to God and to David to abide by David’s plot to cover the adultery. David was fully trapped in sin. The story is as old as the garden of Eden. As we begin to think we can be like God – sovereign over life – Satan has us. Objectively we might feign disgust: how could David do that? But as we honestly allow God’s word to speak to us, we realize none of us is without sin (Jn 8:7).

 

Prayer Father, I cringe at this story, as it exposes too closely my own sin. Help me not to look away but allow your word to convict me of the truth.

One Word Pride is the root of sin

THE LORD DOES WHAT IS GOOD IN HIS SIGHT

2 Samuel 10:1-19 / Keywords 10:12

Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”

 

David Defeats the Ammonites

10:1 In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father.

When David’s men came to the land of the Ammonites, 3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Hasn’t David sent them to you only to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.

5 When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.”

6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob.

7 On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. 8 The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the open country.

9 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 10 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites. 11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. 12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”

13 Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. 14 When the Ammonites realized that the Arameans were fleeing, they fled before Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab returned from fighting the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

15 After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped. 16 Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the Euphrates River; they went to Helam, with Shobak the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

17 When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and went to Helam. The Arameans formed their battle lines to meet David and fought against him. 18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers.[a] He also struck down Shobak the commander of their army, and he died there. 19 When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them.

So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 10:18 Some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 19:18); Hebrew horsemen

1. The Ammonites, Lot’s descendants (Ge 19:38) whose land was not to be taken by Israel (Dt 2:19), became Israel’s enemies during the Judges (Jdg 10:6-7). King Saul’s decisive victory over King Nahash cemented his reign (1Sa 11). Nahash had been kind to David at some point, perhaps while fleeing Saul, so at his death David sought to be kind to Nahash’s son Hanun (2). But due to suspicion and distrust, this backfired, resulting in humiliation of David’s people, leading to war (3-6).

 

2. David’s acts of kindness in these two chapters (9:1; 10:2) have differing outcomes. Jesus pointed out that his coming promised to bring peace (Lk 2:10) and division and strife (Lk 12:51). How do we understand contradictions like this?

 

3. The answer comes from a surprising voice. Joab found himself outnumbered by the combined armies of Ammon and Aram. Although a gifted military strategist, Joab realized victory is in the LORD’s hands: God will do what is right in his sight. God gave Joab victory. Soon after, David defeated the Arameans, leading to peace and making them subject to Israel (19). We can’t control outcomes, no matter the knowledge or experience we gain. Instead, let’s learn that God is good by doing what is right in his eyes.

 

Prayer Father, in my inscrutable situations and unexpected outcomes, teach me you are good.

One Word Trust God who does what is good

DAVID’S KINDNESS TO MEPHIBOSHETH

2 Samuel 9:1-13 / Keywords 9:7

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

 

David and Mephibosheth

9:1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”

“At your service,” he replied.

3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”

Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

4 “Where is he?” the king asked.

Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”

“At your service,” he replied.

7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s[a] table like one of the king’s sons.

12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 9:11 Septuagint; Hebrew my

1. Some people seek to defend or expand their position. David saw that his position as king gave him the opportunity to show kindness to others. He remembered his covenant with Jonathan and wanted to show kindness to his enemy. Learning the fate of Mephibosheth, David sent for him.

 

2. We should consider Mephibosheth’s situation. When Saul and Jonathan died, five-year-old Mephibosheth’s life was turned upside down as he fled in terror, leaving him permanently disabled (4:4). He had spent his life hiding in the small town of Lo Debar. Now David, whose conflict with Saul’s family left them devastated, was calling on Mephibosheth. How hard it must have been to leave Lo Debar, the place of comfortable despair.

 

3. But David greeted him, calling him by name, and told him, “Don’t be afraid!” David restored this crippled man, blessed him beyond his dreams, and kept him close to him the rest of his life. At all David’s banquets, every day, there was crippled Mephibosheth, receiving David’s kindness, and not for anything Mephibosheth did or would do in the future; simply because of David’s covenant and faithfulness to his dead father Jonathan. So too in Jesus does God welcome and bless us.

 

Prayer Father, you have shown such kindness to me in Jesus. Grant me faith to leave my Lo Debar and join you at your table of blessing in the church.

One Word God’s kindness leads us to repentance

KING DAVID DID WHAT WAS JUST AND RIGHT

2 Samuel 8:1-18 / Keywords 8:15

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

 

David’s Victories

8:1 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

2 David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

3 Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at[a] the Euphrates River. 4 David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers[b] and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

7 David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah[c] and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

9 When Tou[d] king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram[e] to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

11 King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: 12 Edom[f] and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

13 And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites[g] in the Valley of Salt.

14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David’s Officials

15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.[h]

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 8:3 Or his control along

b. 2 Samuel 8:4 Septuagint (see also Dead Sea Scrolls and 1 Chron. 18:4); Masoretic Text captured seventeen hundred of his charioteers

c. 2 Samuel 8:8 See some Septuagint manuscripts (see also 1 Chron. 18:8); Hebrew Betah.

d. 2 Samuel 8:9 Hebrew Toi, a variant of Tou; also in verse 10

e. 2 Samuel 8:10 A variant of Hadoram

f. 2 Samuel 8:12 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 18:11); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram

g. 2 Samuel 8:13 A few Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 18:12); most Hebrew manuscripts Aram (that is, Arameans)

h. 2 Samuel 8:18 Or were chief officials (see Septuagint and Targum; see also 1 Chron. 18:17)

1. This is the last battle against the Philistines, who plagued Israel prior to Samuel, through Saul, and into David’s reign. David also repelled five other aggressors, such as the Moabites, and a coalition army under Hadadezer of Zobah that included Arameans. This was the very purpose God had chosen him for (3:18). God blessed him with victory (6b, 14b).

 

2. From these enemies David received a great deal of tribute (2, 6, 8), as well as recognition from other kings who gave him gifts. Saul had built a monument in honor of his victories (1Sa 15:12). But David, from his youth and during his wilderness wanderings, came to trust in God alone in facing his enemies. So, David dedicated all these gifts and tributes to the Lord (11-12).

 

3. As we learned through the book of Judges, defeating the enemies is not enough. A ruler must learn to shepherd his people. King David actively did what was just and right for all his people. As a faithful and wise manager, David provided all needed resources, including administration and structure, so God’s people may flourish. Jesus is doing the same for us today in the church (Eph 4:11- 13), as we live in his kingdom.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for King Jesus, who defeated our enemies and whose reign is just and right. Help me obey him and thrive in his kingdom.

One Word Lead with justice and righteousness

THERE IS NO ONE LIKE YOU, LORD!

2 Samuel 7:18-29 / Keywords 7:22

“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

David’s Prayer

7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human![c]

20 “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

22 “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?[d] 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

25 “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight.

27 “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Footnotes

c. 2 Samuel 7:19 Or for the human race

d. 2 Samuel 7:23 See Septuagint and 1 Chron. 17:21; Hebrew wonders for your land and before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt, from the nations and their gods.

1. Upon hearing God’s message through Nathan, David sat before the LORD – learning to dwell in God’s presence. Previously he spoke about the Lord; now David addresses God personally (17x by name, another 40 by pronoun!) God’s answer of “no” to David’s plans reminded David of his place under God, and how blessed he had been by God, let alone that God was preparing an even greater future for David’s family and kingdom! 

2. It takes courage to sit before God in worship and praise, when we often feel there is so much to be done. But as David reflected on God’s greatness, he came to realize that everything great was not done by David or people, but God himself – who redeemed Israel for Himself through great and awesome wonders, establishing them forever. Even the promise of blessing to David’s family would only further cement the greatness of God in the world, so David no longer puts forth plans to do something for God, but rather prays: “Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever”. 

3. The Sovereign LORD’s covenant is trustworthy. All that he promised to David he fulfilled in Jesus. We are the ones blessed in his house forever. 

Prayer Father, thank you for keeping your promise by which I am eternally blessed. Remind me of my place before you so I may never despise the blessing of entering your presence through Jesus. 

One Word Sit before the Lord in worship

ARE YOU THE ONE TO BUILD ME A HOUSE?

2 Samuel 7:1-17 / Keywords 7:5

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?

 

God’s Promise to David

7:1 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders[a] over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne will be established forever.’”

17 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 7:11 Traditionally judges

b. 2 Samuel 7:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts you

1. David was a man of action, always looking to the next task. It upset him that God dwelled in a tent while he lived in a palace. Building a house for God seemed such an obvious endeavor, even Nathan was happy to support David’s desire. But neither of them thought to ask God’s opinion.

 

2. That night God revealed his heart to them in a long testimony highlighting not what David did or would do, but all that God was doing – not only for David, but for Israel and all of humanity! While building a house for God would keep David and Israel busy, it would distract from what God was doing through David: establishing a kingdom that would bless all people for all time. Ultimately, this points to Jesus’ coming as our Messiah, our Savior King. God’s vision is an eternal kingdom where he may dwell with redeemed humanity forever!

 

3. Are we taking time to pray and ask God for his bigger purposes in our life? The house of God is not the temple built by Solomon, but the church (1Ti 3:15; Eph 2:19, et.al.), the body of Christ, in which we each have a role that Jesus has chosen us to fulfill (Jn 15:16). The lasting fruit is not what I do for God, but what God is doing through me.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for this reminder of all you have accomplished through Jesus in my life. Help me have eyes to see your greater purposes.

One Word God’s eternal kingdom in Jesus

THE ARK OF GOD BROUGHT TO JERUSALEM

2 Samuel 6:1-23 / Keywords 6:2

He and all his men set out from Baalah of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark.

 

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

6 David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah[a] in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name,[b] the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it,[c] and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets,[d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

8 Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.[e]

9 David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

17 They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 6:2 That is, Kiriath Jearim (see 1 Chron. 13:6)

b. 2 Samuel 6:2 Hebrew; Septuagint and Vulgate do not have the Name.

c. 2 Samuel 6:4 Dead Sea Scrolls and some Septuagint manuscripts; Masoretic Text cart 4 and they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill

d. 2 Samuel 6:5 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 13:8) songs

e. 2 Samuel 6:8 Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah.

1. David came to know that the LORD’s many great blessings on his life were for the sake of his people (5:12). He sought to bring up the ark of God – where the LORD Almighty was enthroned – to Jerusalem. David and all the young men zealously celebrated, partying in a parade up to Jerusalem! But their zeal without knowledge (1Chr 15:12-13) resulted in Uzzah’s death. David was angry and afraid, and left the ark in Obed-Edom’s care.

 

2. The ark had been taken away from Israel in Samuel’s youth and eventually left ith Abinadab (1Sa 4:1-7:2) for the same cavalier attitude toward God’s presence. But God greatly desires to bless his people, as he proved by blessing Obed- Edom. David tried again. This time the focus was on honoring God’s holiness with sacrifices. David danced in a linen ephod. Respect toward God did not rob them of joy, but rather focused it.

 

3. Jesus is God’s presence with us today. We often like to think of Jesus as friend (Jn 15:15), without first recognizing him as Lord and vine (John 15:5). When we respect him as the center of our lives and community, we share his joy. If not, we have the barren bitterness of Michal, daughter of Saul.

 

Prayer Father, thank you for sharing your presence with us in Jesus. In respect of your throne, let us share this joy as your community today.

One Word Jesus at the center brings joy

DAVID DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES

2 Samuel 5:17-25 / Keywords 5:19

so David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.”

 

David Defeats the Philistines

5:17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 19 so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

20 So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim.[c] 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. 24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 25 So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon[d] to Gezer.

Footnotes

c. 2 Samuel 5:20 Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out.

d. 2 Samuel 5:25 Septuagint (see also 1 Chron. 14:16); Hebrew Geba

1. King David was the mortal enemy of the Philistines. The last thing in the world they wanted was for David to be king over all Israel! So, they came in full force against David in the Valley of Rephaim. Then David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should go up against them. The Lord said yes, and he gave David victory over the Philistines. David recognized the Lord’s work and that his victory was only because “the Lord has broken out against his enemies before me.”

 

2. The Philistine army made one more attempt to defeat David in the Valley of Rephaim. Again, David sought the Lord and followed the Lord’s instruction. Because he did this, the Lord gave him victory once again. David defeated the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer. When we humble ourselves to the Lord and follow his words, he gives us victory.

 

Prayer Father, help us that we may depend, not on ourselves, but on you alone, for victory over our enemies, no matter who or what those enemies are.

One Word The victory belongs to the Lord

THE LORD ESTABLISHES DAVID AS KING

2 Samuel 5:1-16 / Keywords 5:12

And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

 

David Becomes King Over Israel

5:1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

David Conquers Jerusalem

6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.[a]” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”

9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces[b] inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.

11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 5:8 Or are hated by David

b. 2 Samuel 5:9 Or the Millo

1. David had waited on God and his time to become king of all Israel. Finally, God’s time came. All the tribes of Israel came to David to pay him honor and anoint him king over all Israel. The Lord had raised David up to be not just a king, but a shepherd of his people. As king and shepherd, David would not just rule over the people of Israel, he would also take care of them and lead them to God.

 

2. One of King David’s first acts was to take his army to the city of Jerusalem, the capital of the Jebusites. They had bragged that no one could conquer their city. But King David did. He called the city the City of David and made it his capital. David became more and more powerful and other nations paid him honor. God had raised up David as his shepherd-king and was with him in all he did.

 

Prayer Father, raise up leaders in our generation who may also be shepherds for your people.

One Word Leaders should be shepherds

ISH-BOSHETH IS MURDERED

2 Samuel 4:1-12 / Keywords 4:9

David answered Recab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble,

4:1 When Ish-Bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel became alarmed. 2 Now Saul’s son had two men who were leaders of raiding bands. One was named Baanah and the other Rekab; they were sons of Rimmon the Beerothite from the tribe of Benjamin—Beeroth is considered part of Benjamin, 3 because the people of Beeroth fled to Gittaim and have resided there as foreigners to this day.

4 (Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth.)

5 Now Rekab and Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, set out for the house of Ish-Bosheth, and they arrived there in the heat of the day while he was taking his noonday rest. 6 They went into the inner part of the house as if to get some wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rekab and his brother Baanah slipped away.

7 They had gone into the house while he was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. 8 They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.”

9 David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, 10 when someone told me, ‘Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! 11 How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!”

12 So David gave an order to his men, and they killed them. They cut off their hands and feet and hung the bodies by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-Bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb at Hebron.

 

1. After Abner died, Ish-Bosheth became afraid and shrank back. No longer would he be any kind of threat to King David or the nation of Judah. Ish-Bosheth happened to have two men working for him who were leaders of raiding bands. They had been loyal to Ish-Bosheth when it suited them. But as he weakened, they decided to throw their lot in with King David. They treacherously murdered their former boss in his own house, in his sleep. They cut off Ish-Bosheth’s head and brought it to King David, thinking they would be rewarded.

 

2. They were wrong about what they would get! David trusted in the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. He didn’t need the help of lawless regicides. Just as David had the man who claimed to have killed Saul executed, he also had these two men, who had killed Saul’s son executed. He had their hands and feet cut off and hung the bodies in a public place as a warning to others. Then he took Ish- Bosheth’s head and gave it an honorable burial in Abner’s tomb. David was a true shepherd-king who sought the Lord in all situations.

 

Prayer Father, give us wisdom that we may seek your righteousness and your justice amid a sinful world.

One Word The Lord will deliver us out of every trouble

JOAB MURDERS ABNER

2 Samuel 3:22-39 / Keywords 3:38-39

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

 

3:22 Just then David’s men and Joab returned from a raid and brought with them a great deal of plunder. But Abner was no longer with David in Hebron, because David had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the soldiers with him arrived, he was told that Abner son of Ner had come to the king and that the king had sent him away and that he had gone in peace.

24 So Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Look, Abner came to you. Why did you let him go? Now he is gone! 25 You know Abner son of Ner; he came to deceive you and observe your movements and find out everything you are doing.”

26 Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern at Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.

28 Later, when David heard about this, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever innocent before the Lord concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. 29 May his blood fall on the head of Joab and on his whole family! May Joab’s family never be without someone who has a running sore or leprosy[a] or who leans on a crutch or who falls by the sword or who lacks food.”

30 (Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

31 Then David said to Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and walk in mourning in front of Abner.” King David himself walked behind the bier. 32 They buried Abner in Hebron, and the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb. All the people wept also.

33 The king sang this lament for Abner:

“Should Abner have died as the lawless die?

34     Your hands were not bound,

    your feet were not fettered.

You fell as one falls before the wicked.”

And all the people wept over him again.

35 Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!”

36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. 37 So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

38 Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? 39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 3:29 The Hebrew for leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.

1. After David and Abner met, David let him go in peace. Joab was angry when he heard this and told David that Abner was deceiving him. But the deceiver was Joab. Joab deceived Abner into meeting with him in a private room, where he killed him. Abner had killed Joab’s brother. Joab wasn’t thinking about God or the needs of God’s people. He held onto his grudge against Abner, and when he got the chance, he murdered him.

 

2. When David heard what happened, he was furious with Joab. David was truly sorry about Abner’s death. He walked behind Abner’s funeral bier and openly wept in public for him. He also wrote a lament for Abner and sang it at the funeral. Through this, David showed he had no part in Abner’s murder, and the people were pleased. What concerned David was the nation of Israel and its fragility.

 

Prayer Father, help us resist our feelings of grudges over those who hurt us and look to you for our guidance, and source of peace and comfort.

One Word Seek God instead of revenge

ABNER COMES OVER TO DAVID’S SIDE

2 Samuel 3:1-21 / Keywords 3:9-10

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

 

3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

2 Sons were born to David in Hebron:

His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel;

the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

Abner Goes Over to David

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?”

8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said. So he answered, “Am I a dog’s head—on Judah’s side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven’t handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 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.” 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him.

12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, “Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you.”

13 “Good,” said David. “I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins.”

15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back.

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.

1. For seven years, David remained as king of Judah, while the rest of Israel was ruled by others. During this time, David got stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul got weaker and weaker. Abner, however, was able to strengthen his own position. At one point in the conflict, Ish-Bosheth accused his commander, Abner, of sleeping with one of his concubines. Possibly, Abner used this woman for political gain, or maybe Ish-Bosheth was just jealous of Abner. Either way, Abner grew angry and left Ish-Bosheth, vowing to go over to David’s side and help ensure that he, David, became king over all Israel instead of Ish-Bosheth. Abner knew it was God’s will from the beginning to make David king over all Israel.

 

2. David happily made a deal with Abner, and he came to David, bringing with him many of the elders of Israel. David welcomed him and forgave him. These circumstances could easily have led to further war. But David put aside personal grievances for the sake of unity among God’s people in all of Israel.

 

Prayer Father, it is hard to let go of my wants and desires. Give me strength to die to myself and live for your will.

One Word Don’t hold grudges

AN UNNECESSARY BATTLE

2 Samuel 2:12-32 / Keywords 2:26

Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?”

2:12 Abner son of Ner, together with the men of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, left Mahanaim and went to Gibeon. 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and David’s men went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. One group sat down on one side of the pool and one group on the other side.

14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us.”

“All right, let them do it,” Joab said.

15 So they stood up and were counted off—twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.[a]

17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David’s men.

18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai and Asahel. Now Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle. 19 He chased Abner, turning neither to the right nor to the left as he pursued him. 20 Abner looked behind him and asked, “Is that you, Asahel?”

“It is,” he answered.

21 Then Abner said to him, “Turn aside to the right or to the left; take on one of the young men and strip him of his weapons.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him.

22 Again Abner warned Asahel, “Stop chasing me! Why should I strike you down? How could I look your brother Joab in the face?”

23 But Asahel refused to give up the pursuit; so Abner thrust the butt of his spear into Asahel’s stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He fell there and died on the spot. And every man stopped when he came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died.

24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, and as the sun was setting, they came to the hill of Ammah, near Giah on the way to the wasteland of Gibeon. 25 Then the men of Benjamin rallied behind Abner. They formed themselves into a group and took their stand on top of a hill.

26 Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?”

27 Joab answered, “As surely as God lives, if you had not spoken, the men would have continued pursuing them until morning.”

28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the troops came to a halt; they no longer pursued Israel, nor did they fight anymore.

29 All that night Abner and his men marched through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, continued through the morning hours[b] and came to Mahanaim.

30 Then Joab stopped pursuing Abner and assembled the whole army. Besides Asahel, nineteen of David’s men were found missing. 31 But David’s men had killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites who were with Abner. 32 They took Asahel and buried him in his father’s tomb at Bethlehem. Then Joab and his men marched all night and arrived at Hebron by daybreak.

Footnotes

a. 2 Samuel 2:16 Helkath Hazzurim means field of daggers or field of hostilities.

b. 2 Samuel 2:29 See Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.

 

1. Abner, the commander of Ish-Bosheth’s army proposed a contest between twelve men from his side and from David’s side. Each man from both sides killed his opponent, which ended up leading to an escalating conflict.

 

2. After that, the battle turned fierce. There were many casualties on each side. Eventually, Abner realized that continuing the battle would be fruitless. He suggested a truce, which Joab, who was David’s nephew and commander of his forces, agreed to. The fighting then ceased, and both sides withdrew. Although many lives were lost, in the end, the battle accomplished nothing.

 

3. We can learn in this passage that, when human pride is all that is at stake, it oftentimes leads to tragedy. Neither side sought the Lord in this conflict, and it ended in nothing but death.

 

Prayer Father, help us to lay down our weapons of anger and pride, just as Abner and Joab eventually sought a truce. Instead, help us to be peace makers.

One Word Avoid senseless battles

They anointed David king over Judah

2 Samuel 2:1-11 / Keywords 2:4

Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul,

 

David Anointed King Over Judah

2:1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 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.”

War Between the Houses of David and Saul

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.

10 Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The tribe of Judah, however, remained loyal to David. 11 The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.

1. Sometime after the death of King Saul, David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should go up to one of the towns of Judah. David knew he would be king. But he didn’t act on his own. He waited for God and inquired of him. The Lord told him to go up to Hebron. So, he took his family and settled in Hebron. There, the men of Judah anointed David King over all of Judah. David patiently waited on the Lord, and he humbled himself to follow the Lord’s leading step by step to become King of Israel.

 

2. The people of Jabesh Gilead recovered King Saul’s body and gave him a proper burial. David praised the men of that town for their kindness to their master Saul. At the same time, Saul’s cousin, Abner, as the head of Saul’s army, tried to put one of Saul’s sons, Ish-Bosheth, on the throne of Israel. Ish-Bosheth was a weak king and only lasted two years. But David again patiently waited on the Lord to act on his behalf.

 

Prayer Father, David patiently waited for you to make him king, trusting in your sovereignty. Help me to humble myself and wait on you in my life.

One Word Wait for the Lord’s work