365 Reflections

David failed to follow clearly laid out scriptures regarding the transport of the Ark into his city. It was for this Uzzah was judged with death and David feared bringing the Ark, leaving it in the care of a man named, "Obed-Edom." Time passed and word spread, however: 2 Samuel 6:12 (ESV) And it was told King David, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. Now we have a clear understanding of the changed David made in his second attempt in 1 Chronicles 15. David commissioned the proper Levite officers in proper garments with proper sacrifices to accompany the transport of the Ark. David went to Holy Scripture and clearly followed the Lord's protocol in bringing up the Ark. It reads, 1 Chronicles 15:12–15 (ESV) and said to them (the priests), “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the L...

2 Samuel 6 contains a challenging passage for the casual Bible observer. 2 Samuel 6:2–3 (ESV) And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. 3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, What looks to be the most honorable gesture in David's early reign - to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel - turns out to be deadly and confusing. Moments into the transport of this holy vessel this happens: 2 Samuel 6:5–7 (ESV) And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, fo...

In your spiritual fight, you must not rely on yesterday's techniques to fight today's battles. We see this exemplified in David's life here in 2 Samuel 5. 2 Samuel 5:17–19 (ESV) When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” Notice the Philistines hear that David is king and immediately launch an assault to cast him down. The enemy loves to come at us when the Lord establishes us in new places of influence or power. Be careful as no one is immune to his assault simply on the basis of one's position or status in the purposes of God. In fact, the more God entrusts in...

David's time has finally arrived. Though the demise of Saul's reign came through bloodshed, jealous rivalries and betrayal, God used the evils of men to produce the king He planned. Now in 2 Samuel 5, David is set over the entire house of Israel. 2 Samuel 5:1–3 (ESV) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’ ” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. We note first that the tribes came to David. They knew he was the one. They understood that their successes under Saul were really because of him. They also knew the Lord promised this for David. For them, this was the fulfillment of both the obvio...

Thus far in 2 Samuel, those who were in Saul's camp have proven to be anything but loyal. Consider how much betrayal exists in the first four chapters of 2 Samuel. First was the Amalekite who killed Saul and thought himself righteous for it. David put him to death. Then there was Abner's manipulative support for Ish-Bosheth. He eventually was offended and turned on him. Now, two more men prove to be opportunistic and vengeful as they put Ish-Bosheth to death. 2 Samuel 4:5–6 (ESV) Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. This murder is incredibly diabolical. They came to Ish-Bosheth under false pretenses, then while he was unarmed and resting they brutally murdered him in cold blood. After this, they see...

David makes a bold move here in 2 Samuel 3. His kingdom is pretty much assured after his greatest threat, Abner has been put to death by Joab out of revenge for his brother's murder. Yet instead of cheering this event accomplished by his closest ally, David is saddened and mourns his loss. He mourns so much the people seek to care for him. 2 Samuel 3:35–37 (ESV)   Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. The death David is mourning is that of a former enemy and right-hand assistant to Saul - the man who desperately wanted David dead. This episode beautifully expresses the kin...

David's kingdom is at hand. His enemies are growing smaller and his following is growing larger. On top of this, defection from Saul's ranks is on the horizon. All things seem to be coming together for David. So it's really sad to see what happens early on in his reign at Hebron. For just when the Lord is about to bring His kingdom to fulness, David begins building the kingdom on his own terms with his own imaginations. 2 Samuel 3:2–5 (ESV)   And sons were born to David at Hebron : his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. Now David is doing what ancient kings NORMALLY did in those days. Sons for a King in the ancient world were emblem...

There's a very short story in 2 Samuel 2 that you may miss because of its brevity and the number of strange names it contains. Three brothers are part of David's army. Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now, these three men just won a hard-fought battle against the insurgent forces of Ish-Bosheth who has been thrust to the kingship by Abner, Saul's right-hand man. The text lets us know that after the battle, Abner flees. But here's where the story gets interesting. Asahel has a particular gift. He's fast. Look at the unfolding drama. 2 Samuel 2:18–22 (ESV) And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. 19 And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. 20 Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.” 21 Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the ...