Read: 2 Samuel 9-10
In 1 Samuel 20 a heartfelt
exchange took place between David and Jonathan. Jonathan was David’s best
friend and Saul’s son. The two had a deep, brotherly friendship and swore their
allegiance to one another, even to their descendants. Jonathan asked of his
friend, “If I am still alive, show me the
steadfast love of the LORD, that I may not die; and do not cut off your
steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the
enemies of David from the face of the earth.” Jonathan knew that his
father’s reign would end and that he would not be the one to inherit the
throne. He also knew that his father was being wicked to David and that the
Lord’s judgement would quite likely allow David to cut off Saul’s entire family
one day. And so Jonathan asks for mercy for his children, which David gladly
offers. In 2 Samuel 9, we see David make good on his promise. He shows
steadfast love and honour to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, and his family.
David is an honourable man. In
chapter nine, he easily honours the son of his best friend. In chapter 10 he
seeks to honour one who is not a friend, the new king of Ammon who just lost a
father. David sends messengers to give his condolences over the death of King
Nahash. But instead of honour, war ensues. The new king, Hanun, does not accept
David’s sympathies, and instead disgraces the messengers, sending them back to
Jerusalem bald and naked! Knowing this act wouldn’t put them in David’s good
books, the Ammonites call the Syrians to join them in battle against Israel.
Joab, the commander of David’s armies, and his brother Abishai split the armies
of Israel, quickly and easily conquering the armies of Ammon and Syria. The
Syrians then call upon Syrian armies further north and another battle ensues.
The victory is again given to David and the armies of Israel. What was meant
for Israel’s harm turned out to be for her benefit as the Syrians became
subject to Israel.
As king, David had the
authority to take vengeance on any and all enemies, past or present. It was his
right and sometimes, even his duty. But when one is walking with the Lord,
personal and positional rights are not always right. People desire power. This is not cultural, it is human
nature. We see it here as the Ammonites and Syrians seek to defeat Israel, and
we will see it many times over before this book is done. But when one who
follows God is given power, that power is really a test. What really is power, when the God who made man out of
dust is in control? In the grand scheme of things, that power is no more
powerful than the lowest peasant, or the tiniest creature. God divvies up the
power of the earth according to His own will and purpose. And each person of
power will be held accountable to what they received – in fact, we will all be held accountable to the words and
actions of our lives. When God gives a person power – perhaps it is owning a
business, or acting as the spiritual leader of many people, or whatever – it is
a test to see if that person will give the power back to God. Will the
businessperson allow God to run their business? Will the pastor allow God to
lead their church? Will the politician allow God to govern the people? Just
because power gives one the right to lord it over another doesn’t mean that the
right is right. David’s life – at
least for now – is a declaration of God as King, of God as the One who reigns
in Israel and on David’s throne.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. What
levels of power and position do you posses (and we all have one kind or
another)? What are your rights within your position? Is it right to exercise all of your rights?
a. Spend
some time in prayer, asking God to show you areas where you are righteously
using your power.
b. Ask
Him to show you if there are any rights He wants you to lay down. Ask Him to
show you if you are wielding your power in any ways that displease Him. If He
reveals something, confess it to Him and make it right.
2. Take
time to dedicate yourself and your role to God. Ask Him to reign as King in all
areas of your life.
3. David
honours people – friends and enemies. Ask God to give you a name of someone He
wants you to honour. How can you do this?
