Returning to The King

Before Abner and the northern tribes of Israel submitted to the LORD’s decision to make David king, there was a war between the north and the south.  Israel was the name given to the northern tribes.  Judah was the name of the southern tribes.  The war between north and south was real and bloody.  Brother was pit against brother.

A fierce battle followed that day, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by the forces of David. Joab, Abishai, and Asahel--the three sons of Zeruiah--were among David's forces that day. Asahel could run like a gazelle, and he began chasing Abner. He pursued him relentlessly, not stopping for anything. When Abner looked back and saw him coming, he called out, "Is that you, Asahel?" "Yes, it is," he replied. "Go fight someone else!" Abner warned. "Take on one of the younger men, and strip him of his weapons." But Asahel kept right on chasing Abner. Again Abner shouted to him, "Get away from here! I don't want to kill you. How could I ever face your brother Joab again?" But Asahel refused to turn back, so Abner thrust the butt end of his spear through Asahel's stomach, and the spear came out through his back. He stumbled to the ground and died there. And everyone who came by that spot stopped and stood still when they saw Asahel lying there. (2 Samuel 2:17-23 NLT)

Asahel’s death was a shock to everyone.  Abner didn’t want to kill him.  He tried every way possible to avoid killing Asahel.  The death was an accidental casualty of war that is best described as self-defense.   No court would have convicted Abner for this death.  Joab, Asahel’s brother, didn’t care.  He swore vengeance against his brother’s killer.

When Joab and Abishai found out what had happened, they set out after Abner. The sun was just going down as they arrived at the hill of Ammah near Giah, along the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. Abner's troops from the tribe of Benjamin regrouped there at the top of the hill to take a stand. Abner shouted down to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?" Then Joab said, "God only knows what would have happened if you hadn't spoken, for we would have chased you all night if necessary." (2 Samuel 2:24-27 NLT)

Joab backed down for the time being, but the anger and bitterness never went away.  He still wanted revenge on Abner for killing his brother.  This created a problem, then, when Abner was trying to broker a peace deal between the northern and southern tribes.  Abner, you may recall from yesterday’s post, met with David and offered to bring the elders of Israel (the northern tribes) to meet with David and acknowledge him as their king.  Once David agreed to the plan, Abner went back home to gather the elders together.

When Joab arrived, he was told that Abner had just been there visiting the king and had been sent away in safety. Joab rushed to the king and demanded, "What have you done? What do you mean by letting Abner get away? You know perfectly well that he came to spy on you and find out everything you're doing!" (2 Samuel 3:23-25 NLT)

Joab would not listen to reason and he certainly did not care about justice.  He cared about vengeance.  He wanted revenge.  Following through on this anger would only separate himself from his king.

When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel. When David heard about it, he declared, "I vow by the LORD that I and my kingdom are forever innocent of this crime against Abner son of Ner. Joab and his family are the guilty ones. May the family of Joab be cursed in every generation with a man who has open sores or leprosy or who walks on crutches or dies by the sword or begs for food!" (2 Samuel 3:27-29 NLT)

When do do things that separate us from our King, we can thank God that there is a way to return to The King.  Jesus is that way.  The question is simple: Will we admit that we were wrong and return to The King?

How about you?  Do you allow anger, bitterness, or other negative emotions to drive you to rebel against our King?  When you rebel, do you admit you were wrong?  Do you ask our King to forgive you?  Do you return to The King?

Submitting to The King

David is an excellent example of a man who walked together with God.  He was chosen and set apart by God to be king.  He was anointed by God’s prophet, Samuel, to this.  David prayed to God, asking for direction in his decisions.  He knew how to hear God’s voice, too, so he recognized God’s answers to his prayers.  Then, David submitted to God by following the LORD’s instructions.  David was established by God as king.

But Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul' army, had already gone to Mahanaim with Saul's son Ishbosheth. There he proclaimed Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel. (2 Samuel 2:8-9 NLT)

Abner and Ishbosheth, however, were not soo good at walking together with God.  Ishbosheth was not chosen, set apart, or anointed by God as king of Israel.  He was simply a son of the previous God-selected king.  There is no indication that Ishbosheth or Abner prayed to God, asking for direction in this decision.  If they did ask, they clearly did not know how to hear God’s voice.  If they did hear God’s voice, they either did not recognize it or simply did not submit to God.

As the war between the house of Saul and the house of David went on, Abner became a powerful leader among those loyal to Saul. One day Ishbosheth, Saul's son, accused Abner of sleeping with one of his father's concubines, a woman named Rizpah, daughter of Aiah. Abner was furious. "Am I some Judean dog to be kicked around like this?" he shouted. "After all I have done for your father, Saul, and his family and friends by not handing you over to David, is this my reward--that you find fault with me about this woman? May God strike me and even kill me if I don't do everything I can to help David get what the LORD has promised him! (2 Samuel 3:6-9 NLT)

Abner may have had poor intentions, but his decision to help David become king of the northern tribes was a good one.  Notice what he said to Ishbosheth.  He is going to help David “get what the LORD has promised him!”  Abner knew that the LORD promised to make David king.  Abner and Ishbosheth were purposefully working against the LORD.

That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul's dynasty became weaker and weaker. (2 Samuel 3:1 NLT)

David became stronger and Saul’s followers became weaker for one and only one reason:  The LORD chose David.  The tribes in the north just were not willing to submit to God.  Abner, though, finally came around.  He got together with the elders of the northern tribes of Israel and tried to convince them to change their course.

Meanwhile, Abner had consulted with the elders of Israel. "For some time now," he told them, "you have wanted to make David your king. Now is the time! For the LORD has said, 'I have chosen David to save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and from all their other enemies.'" (2 Samuel 3:17-18 NLT)

Notice again what it says, “I have chosen David…”  Abner, Ishbosheth, and the elders of the northern tribes all knew that David was the LORD’s chosen king.  Finally, they gave in.  They sent Abner to talk to David and join all the tribes of Israel back together again, with David as their king.

Then Abner said to David, "Let me go and call an assembly of all Israel to support my lord the king. They will make a covenant with you to make you their king, and you will rule over everything your heart desires." So David sent Abner safely on his way. (2 Samuel 3:21 NLT)

How about you?  Are you more like David, submitting to God as King right away?  Or, are you more like Abner, struggling against God until you finally give in and allow God to be your King?  How quickly to you submit to The King?

Praying to The King

After this, David asked the LORD, "Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?" "Yes," the LORD replied. Then David asked, "Which town should I go to?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered. (2 Samuel 2:1 NLT)

Prayer is conversation with God.  It doesn’t need to be in public (Matthew 6:5-6).  It doesn’t need to be wordy (Matthew 6:7-8).  It just needs to be a conversation with God.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. (James 5:13 NLT)

This whole series has been focused on a simple prayer: The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).  Jesus taught us to pray.  His prayer taught us to do two things: 1) Speak with God and 2) Listen to God.

David made Hebron his capital, and he ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years. (2 Samuel 2:11 NLT)

David did both.  When he wanted to know what to do, he asked God.  Should I go into battle?  Should I pursue these attackers?  Should I move to a different town?  Each time the LORD answered David.  Each time David followed the LORD’s direction.  Each time it went well for him.  It can be the same for us today (James 1:5-6).

Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. (James 5:17-18 NLT)

How about you?  Do you prayer?  Do you speak with the LORD?  Do you take the time to listen?  How are your prayers to The King?

Anointed by The King

David brought murder charges against the Amalekite messenger who killed king Saul.  The charges were able to stick, and the sentence carried out, for two reasons.  1) God had specific commands about murder, which this Amalekite had broken by killing king Saul.  His actions against Saul are, by God’s definition, murder.  2) David is already anointed by Samuel, a prophet of the LORD, as the next king of Israel.  It is David’s job as the new king to make sure justice is served.

Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to His king; He increases the strength of His anointed one." (1 Samuel 2:10 NLT)

Saul and David aren’t the only anointed ones in Scripture.  You and I can be as well.  God’s anointing has to do with being set apart for a special purpose or role.  Saul and David were set apart for the role of king.  We are set apart for the role of disciple.  We are Christ-followers.  We declare, and then live, with Jesus as our Lord.

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15 NLT)

The sickness that James is talking about here is not limited to the physical.  It has a spiritual component as well.  You see, many of our physical ailments are rooted in spiritual problems.  You’ve experienced this if you’ve ever had trouble sleeping because you were worried about something.  Following James’ instructions here, you could call an elder over to pray over you.  When this elder anoints you with oil, you are being set apart from the world and dedicated in a special way to the Lord.  The elder might listen to what has you worried and then remind you of God’s promise:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

The prayer, the anointing, and the Scripture all serve to help you remember, refocus, and re-dedicated yourself to Jesus as Lord.  This brings peace.  All of a sudden, you can sleep.  God heals you physically as you are healed spiritually.  We may not be anointed as kings, but we are anointed (set apart) by The King.

How about you?  Are you set apart by the LORD to do your part of God’s Plan? Are you anointed by The King?

Lamenting with The King

I’m not sure what you think about when I talk about David.  Maybe you remember big stories like the one about David’s battle against Goliath.  Perhaps you think about the songs that said, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.”  When we think about this mighty warrior-king, though, our picture wouldn’t be complete without seeing that David felt deeply.  He was creative, artistic, and expressive.

Then David composed a funeral song for Saul and Jonathan, and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar. (2 Samuel 1:17-18 NLT)

David played music.  David composed music.  We have many of David’s lyrics captured in the book of Psalms – a book of poetic lyrics that used to be set to music.  Here, we see David expressing his heart in song.

Your pride and joy, O Israel, lies dead on the hills! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen! Don't announce the news in Gath, don't proclaim it in the streets of Ashkelon, or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice and the pagans will laugh in triumph. (2 Samuel 1:19-20 NLT)

David mourned the death of Saul.  This says something about David’s character, considering the fact that Saul tried to kill David many, many times.  David, though, felt the loss not only for himself but for the whole of Israel as well.

O mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fruitful fields producing offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty heroes was defiled; the shield of Saul will no longer be anointed with oil. The bow of Jonathan was powerful, and the sword of Saul did its mighty work. They shed the blood of their enemies and pierced the bodies of mighty heroes. How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions. (2 Samuel 1:21-23 NLT)

David honored the memories of their king and his son, Jonathan.  He praised the good that they did as mighty warriors for The King.  David remembered the good in Saul, the good in Jonathan, and set those memories to music so everyone would remember.

O women of Israel, weep for Saul, for he dressed you in luxurious scarlet clothing, in garments decorated with gold.  Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen in battle! Jonathan lies dead on the hills. How I weep for you, my brother Jonathan! Oh, how much I loved you! And your love for me was deep, deeper than the love of women! Oh, how the mighty heroes have fallen! Stripped of their weapons, they lie dead. (2 Samuel 1:24-27 NLT)

David lamented for himself.  He lamented for Israel.  He lamented with The LORD who lost his first representative-king.  David grieved deeply, mourning the loss of friends, leaders, and men chosen and appointed by God.

How about you?  When you lose someone in your life, do you lament?  Do you grieve the loss of a person made in the image of God?  Do you remember the good in them?  Do you lament with the King?

Justice for The King

Then David said to the young man who had brought the news, "Where are you from?" And he replied, "I am a foreigner, an Amalekite, who lives in your land." "Why were you not afraid to kill the LORD's anointed one?" David asked. Then David said to one of his men, "Kill him!" So the man thrust his sword into the Amalekite and killed him. "You have condemned yourself," David said, "for you yourself confessed that you killed the LORD's anointed one." (2 Samuel 1:13-16 NLT)

David just found out that the first and only human king Israel has ever had is now dead.  Even with all his faults, Saul was like a father to David for a formative time in his life.  David wants to mourn but, instead, he must take a moment to make sure justice is served.  Saul’s murder is right in front of him.

Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to His king; He increases the strength of His anointed one." (1 Samuel 2:10 NLT)

It may seem like a power play at first.  David has already been secretly anointed as the next king of Israel.  The king can order the death of anyone he wishes, right?  The man admitted to killing the LORD’s anointed one.  The next anointed one should protect the office of king, right?  There’s more to this story, though.  The man is an Amalekite.  Remember what the LORD told Saul about the Amalekites?

This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation--men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys." (1 Samuel 15:2-3 NLT)

The Amalekite nation had attacked the newly-freed Israelites not long after they had left Egypt.  The LORD told Saul to wipe them out for this atrocity.  Saul did not.  Now, Saul dies at the hands of an Amalekite whom Saul left alive.  Here are two reasons David has for putting the Amalekite messenger to death.  But there’s more.

If anyone takes a human life, that person's life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in His own image. (Genesis 9:6 NLT)

This command was given after Cain murdered his brother, Abel.  Cain was not put to death because God had not made and communicated this rule yet.  But ever since then, the LORD has held to this law: do not kill other people.  People are made in God’s image, so we must not take a person’s life.  When we kill a person, the punishment to balance out the scales of justice is death.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice… (Micah 6:8 ESV)

This responsibility rests in the hands of the governments that God establishes here on earth.  Balancing the scales of justice gives us all a sense that everything is ok.  Evil is punished and good is allowed to flourish.  The LORD wants us to experience the good that God has in store for us.  This starts with God’s design for our lives and a system of justice that points us all toward that picture.

How about you?  Are you fair (just) in your dealings with other people?  Do you allow God’s justice to comfort you?  Do you allow God’s picture of justice to guide you?  Do you live a life of justice?

Mourning with The King

After the death of Saul, David returned from his victory over the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. (2 Samuel 1:1 NLT)

We finished last week with Samuel and, finally, Saul passing away.  Samuel left with stories that can encourage all of us: you can live a lifetime for The King.  Saul left behind stories that warn us just how bad things can get when we don’t live for The King.

On the third day a man arrived from Saul's army camp. He had torn his clothes and put dirt on his head to show that he was in mourning. He fell to the ground before David in deep respect. "Where have you come from?" David asked. "I escaped from the Israelite camp," the man replied. "What happened?" David demanded. "Tell me how the battle went." The man replied, "Our entire army fled from the battle. Many of the men are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead." (2 Samuel 1:2-4 NLT)

Even with all his mistakes, Saul was still a human being made in the image of God.  In addition, he was selected by God to be Israel’s first human king.  Saul was a mighty warrior who helped Israel push back the oppressing Philistines.  Saul answered God’s call to be king and united Israel against God’s enemies.  The Israelites lost much on the day they lost Saul as their king.

"How do you know Saul and Jonathan are dead?" David demanded of the young man. The man answered, "I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear with the enemy chariots and charioteers closing in on him. When he turned and saw me, he cried out for me to come to him. 'How can I help?' I asked him. "He responded, 'Who are you?' "'I am an Amalekite,' I told him. "Then he begged me, 'Come over here and put me out of my misery, for I am in terrible pain and want to die.' "So I killed him," the Amalekite told David, "for I knew he couldn't live. Then I took his crown and his armband, and I have brought them here to you, my lord." (2 Samuel 1:5-10 NLT)

Saul may have seen David as his enemy for the last part of his life, but David was man enough to recognize the good in Saul.  David may have spent many years trying to escape death at Saul’s hands, but David recognized the loss for Israel as well.  Beyond all that, David recognized the loss for The LORD.  God had given the Israelites the king they wanted.  Now, that king is dead.  Yes, The LORD already had David anointed as the new king, but this moment is not about the change of power.  This moment is about pausing, remembering, and mourning the loss of a king.

David and his men tore their clothes in sorrow when they heard the news. They mourned and wept and fasted all day for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the LORD's army and the nation of Israel, because they had died by the sword that day. (2 Samuel 1:11-12 NLT)

How about you?  Have you ever mourned the loss of someone who was important to you?  Have you mourned the loss of someone, even though they had many faults?  Did you mourn knowing that God mourns along the side of you?  Have you mourned with The King?