Friday, March 30, 2012

Day 89: 2 Samuel 4, 5 and 6


I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. (2 Samuel 6:22)

Today's reading starts with David, already having been recognized as the King of Judah, being installed as the King of all Israel. Not everyone is united behind David – there are still those loyal to the house of Saul, who will cause trouble for Solomon in later years.

Then David conquers Jerusalem which will become known as the City of David, and was not included in the inheritance of any tribe. Much like Washington D.C. is not part of any state, Jerusalem was David's and no one else's. John Bright in his A History of Israel  applauds David's genius in choosing neutral ground for the spiritual and political center of Israel.

Finally, after battling the Philistines, David establishes Zion, the new tent of worship to house the Ark of the Covenant. Notice his undignified display of worship before the Lord. A while back my Associate Pastor Garth Hamilton chose Undignified as his fantastic title for a sermon – wish I'd thought of that.

I can't get over David's proclamation: I will be humiliated in my own eyes. David refused to attenuate his worship to make other people comfortable. His worship was for God's pleasure – not to enhance his own status. David didn't care what other people thought. He was a worshiper.

What’s more important? What people think or what God thinks?

When did what other people think become the most important thing?

2 comments:

  1. After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.

    Can you explain the difference between wives and concubines. It appears that the concubine that was cut into pieces - her father was referred to as his father-in-law. If a concubine was just a possession, would her parents still be in-laws? Did wives have more status as concubines and, if so, in what way? Could a concubine become a wife?

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  2. Excellent question, Merry. Concubines did not have the same status as wives, but as you noticed, they still came with inlaws. If I run across a definitive answer to your final question I will let you know.

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