Day 95: 2 Samuel 22, 23 and 24

Enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are (2 Samuel 24:2).

This is one of those times when the writer neglects to share with us the details that must have been obvious to him. Why was it a problem for David to count his fighting men?

When we read the account of David, we can only be amazed at his win-loss record. I haven’t counted up his wins, but I can tell you how many fights he lost. None.

Why did he always win? Was it because his vast army outnumbered his foes? No. There are plenty of occasions when David led the smaller fighting force, but still managed to pull out a victory. Was it because he was better equipped? No. Many of his enemies had chariots. Fighting primarily in the hill country, David didn’t see their value. For the most part, his men were foot soldiers.

David always won. Why? It wasn’t because of numbers; it wasn’t because of weaponry; it was because God was on his side.

So what was the problem?

David counted his soldiers because he wanted to know if he had enough men to defeat any enemy that might rear its head. For the first time in his life, David was putting his faith in his own strength, and his own resources, rather than in the presence of God.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Do you count your money and take inventory of your bills before deciding whether or not you can trust God? Reflect on God’s faithfulness.

Day 94: 2 Samuel 19, 20 and 21

Whoever is for David, let him follow Joab! (2 Samuel 20:11).

Maybe he felt bad for sending Absalom away when he avenged his sister by killing her rapist (his half-brother Amnon), but when it came to his favorite son, David was loyal to a fault.

Absalom had finessed the kingdom away from his father, causing David and those loyal to him to run for their lives. Joab had the opportunity so, out of loyalty to David, he killed Absalom. Joab knew it had to be done if the king were ever to regain the throne. And how does David reward him? He spitefully replaces him with none other than Amasa, the general who had supported Absalom’s coup.

But being in trouble is a good way to find out who your friends are. Amasa, sensing David’s vulnerability, drags his feet allowing David’s enemies more time to strengthen their position. Joab, still loyal to David, sees what Amasa is up to and executes him. He then chases down his king’s other enemies, reuniting the kingdom under David.

Those seeking an advantage constantly scrutinize us to find where we are weak. And once they discern a chink in our armor, they use it against us. A friend loves us in spite of our shortcomings. A friend sticks by us when the chips are down.

A friend loves at all time, and a brother is born for adversity (NIV 1984, Proverbs 17:17).

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Who do you know that needs a friend? How could you be that friend?

Day 93: 2 Samuel 16, 17 and 18

[Shimei] threw stones at David and his officers, but the people and soldiers gathered all around David (NCV, 2 Samuel 16:6).

As leaders, it’s a fact of life that people will throw stones at us. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who love us, and who are willing to put themselves between us and our detractors. It is not self-serving for a leader to teach those around him their responsibility in this matter. It is not dictatorial or cultish to engrain this kind of loyalty and sacrifice into the hearts and minds of followers. Leaders in training will be blessed by following the example of David’s soldiers. After all, one day someone may be throwing rocks at them.

There’s another lesson here. David doesn’t just dismiss out of hand Shimei’s curses. If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him? (NCV, v. 10). David understood the necessity of spreading out before the Lord accusations made against him. David knew that – only after honest examination – if there was nothing there, that would be the time to dismiss those curses. The king was humble and teachable. If there was a foundation of truth in Shimei’s curse, or if God was trying to speak to him, he was prepared to receive from the Lord his message of correction.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Thank God for those people in your life who care enough about you to shield you from attack. And for those who care enough to lovingly confront you.

Day 92: 2 Samuel 13, 14 and 15

Amnon had a friend named Jonadab . . . a very shrewd man (NIV 1984, 2 Samuel 13:3).

These chapters illustrate the influence of a well-placed whisper. Our story begins with Amnon, a prince of Israel, who is head over heels in lust with his half sister. His friend Jonadab conceives an evil plan, and whispers it in Amnon’s ear, leading to the travesty of King David’s virgin daughter being raped by her half brother.

After Tamar confides in Absalom the terrible thing that has happened, her older brother nurses a scheme of vengeance and two years later kills Amnon for raping his sister, before finding asylum in a neighboring kingdom.

David is in a difficult position. Absalom (his father’s favorite) has killed another of his sons. Societal conventions do not allow David to bring his son home (no doubt the two years between Tamar’s rape and Amnon’s death, not to mention the careful planning involved, make it difficult to argue against premeditation).

Joab, the king’s trusted general, intervenes. Though he convinces David it is time to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, David still refuses to see his son. Though back in his home, he is still exiled from his father’s presence. Yet another two years pass. Joab pleads Absalom’s case before David, and the king finally reconciles with his son.

Whispers. Jonadab whispered in Amnon’s ear to indulge his appetites. Joab whispered in David’s ear to do the right thing.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Who’s your Jonadab? Who’s your Joab? Can you discern who’s been whispering in your ear?

Day 91: 2 Samuel 10, 11 and 12

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war . . . David remained in Jerusalem (1 Samuel 11:1).

Seemingly insignificant decisions can reap giant consequences.

Israel was going to war with Ammon. David had an able general in Joab, and entrusted the Ammonite military campaign to him, leaving David with some free time on his hands. One sleepless night, David was strolling around the palace rooftop, when he spied his neighbor’s wife bathing. He was intrigued and had her summoned. While David’s neighbor (Uriah) was at the battlefront, David became sexually entangled with Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife). Their relationship resulted in an unwanted pregnancy and a potentially embarrassing scandal for the king.

Rather than seeing this as an opportunity to come clean and confess his sins, David went the way of the cover-up. He brought Uriah home from the front lines, thinking he would sleep with his wife and everyone would think the baby was his. No flag, no foul; but Uriah had too much integrity for that. In a final act of desperation, David arranged with Joab for Uriah to become a casualty of war, a surefire solution to his problem with plausible deniability for all. David was in the clear… and a murderer.

What would have happened if David had led his own troops into battle, and that first wayward step not taken?

All for the want of a nail [1].

TODAY’S MEDITATION

What decisions are you pondering this week? What consequences should you be considering?

Day 90: 2 Samuel 7, 8 and 9

I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth (NIV 1984, 2 Samuel 7:9).

Unlike Saul, who dedicated a statue in his own honor (1 Samuel 15:12), David’s success doesn’t cause him to covet for himself the glory and honor that belong only to God. David’s heart is to build a temple for Yahweh: Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent (NIV 1984, 2 Samuel 7:2). Nearly 500 years later, God would scold the returning exiles through the prophet Haggai: Is it time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while [the Temple] remains a ruin? (Haggai 1:4).

David is becoming famous but, rather than desire the world’s acclaim, he wants only to make God’s name great. Because David has his priorities in the right order, God speaks over him: I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

Do you remember our conversation back in January contrasting the people of Babel with Abraham? The men on the Plain of Shinar proclaimed: Let us build ourselves a city . . . that we may make a name for ourselves (Genesis 11:4). Because Abraham honored God, God said: I will make your name great (Genesis 12:2).

If you want the right kind of acclaim, don’t worry so much about your own reputation. Make God’s name great!

TODAY’S MEDITATION

So much of life is about bringing glory to self. What could you do this week to bring God glory?

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, now 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. In his History of Israel, John Bright applauds David’s genius in choosing neutral ground for the spiritual and political center of Israel [5].

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 based on this passage – 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.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

When did what other people think become so important? No one starts out that way. When did things change for you?

Day 88: 2 Samuel 1, 2 and 3

He asked me, “Who are you?” “An Amalekite,” I answered (2 Samuel 1:8).

Remember the Amalekites? Review this pivotal narrative in Saul’s downward spiral in 1 Samuel 15. This isn’t the first time we’ve encountered Amalek. Exodus 17 recounts how they attacked Israel wholly unprovoked while they marched through the wilderness. And this isn’t the last time we’ll hear the name either. We’ll revisit this narrative of Saul and Agag when we read Esther.

Yet one more tragic element of this account of Saul’s last battle with the Philistines is the easily overlooked detail of who ended his life. The final chapter of 1 Samuel ends where Saul has fallen on his own sword rather than be captured by the enemy. The opening chapter of 2 Samuel tells the rest of the story. A young man finds Saul mortally wounded but still alive. Saul asks him to finish the job of which he had been unable. “But first, tell me who you are.”

“An Amalekite.”

Saul was told to destroy King Agag and all the Amalekites. He disobeyed. Bottom line? What he failed to destroy in turn destroyed him.

When God tells us to get rid of something in our lives, we cannot afford to go only half way. Either we do away with it, or it may be the very thing that does away with us. God does not want to deprive us, but to free us.

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Reflect on this story. Is there anything in your life that God has told you to get rid of?

Day 95: 2 Samuel 22, 23 and 24

Enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are. (2 Samuel 24:2)

This is one of those times when the writer neglects to share with us the details that must have been obvious to him. Why was it a problem for David to count his fighting men?

When we read the account of David, we can only be amazed at his win-loss record. I haven't counted up his wins, but I can tell you how many fights he lost. None.

Why did he always win? Was it because his vast army outnumbered his foes? No. There are plenty of occasions when David led the smaller fighting force, but still managed to pull out a victory. Was it because he was better equipped? No. Many of his enemies had chariots. David didn't see their value. For the most part, his men were foot soldiers.

David always won. Why? It wasn't because of numbers; it wasn't because of weaponry; it was because God was on his side.

So what was the problem?

David counted his fighting men because he wanted to know if he had enough men to defeat any enemy that might rear its head. For the first time in his life, David was putting his faith in his own strength, and his own resources, rather than in the presence of God.

Do you count your money and inventory your bills before seeing if there's enough left over to tithe?

Day 94: 2 Samuel 19, 20 and 21

Whoever is for David, let him follow Joab! (2 Samuel 20:11)

Maybe he felt bad for sending Absalom away when he avenged his sister by killing her rapist (his half-brother Amnon) but when it came to his favorite son, David was loyal to a fault.

Absalom had finessed the kingdom away from his father, causing David and those loyal to him to run for their lives. Joab had the opportunity, so out of loyalty to David, he killed Absalom. Joab knew it had to be done if the king were ever to regain the throne. And how does David reward him? He spitefully replaces him with none other than Amasa, the general who had supported Absalom’s coup.

But being in trouble is a good way to find out who your friends are. Amasa, sensing David’s vulnerability, drags his feet allowing David’s enemies more time to strengthen their position. Joab, still loyal to David, sees what Amasa is up to and executes him. He then chases down his king’s other enemies, reuniting the kingdom under David.

Those seeking the advantage over us constantly scrutinize us to find where we are weak. And once they discern a chink in our armor, they use it against us. A friend loves us in spite of our shortcomings. A friend sticks by us when the chips are down.

A friend loves at all time, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).

Who do you know that needs a friend?

Day 93: 2 Samuel 16, 17 and 18

[Shimei] threw stones at David and his officers, but the people and soldiers gathered all around David. (2 Samuel 16:6)

As leaders, it’s a fact of life that people will throw stones at us. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who love us, and who are willing to put themselves between us and our detractors. It is not self-serving for a leader to teach those around him their responsibility in this matter. It is not dictatorial or cultish to engrain this kind of loyalty and sacrifice into the hearts and minds of followers. Leaders in training will be blessed by following the example of David’s soldiers. After all, one day someone will be throwing rocks at them.

There’s another lesson here. David doesn’t just dismiss out of hand Shimei’s curses. If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him? (v. 10) David understood the necessity of spreading out before the Lord accusations made against him. David knew that, only after honest examination, if there was nothing there that would be the time to dismiss those curses. He was also humble and teachable. If there was a foundation of truth in Shimei’s curse, or if God was trying to speak to him, he was prepared to receive from the Lord his message of correction.

When’s the last time you expressed appreciation to people in your life who care enough about you to shield you? And those who care enough to lovingly confront you?

Day 92: 2 Samuel 13, 14 and 15

Amnon had a friend named Jonadab . . . a very shrewd man. (2 Samuel 13:3)

These chapters illustrate the influence of a well-placed whisper. Our story begins with Amnon, a prince of Israel, who is head over heels in lust with his half sister. His friend Jonadab conceives an evil plan, and whispers it in Amnon’s ear, leading to the travesty of King David’s virgin daughter being raped by her half brother.

After Tamar confides in Absalom the terrible thing that has happened, her older brother nurses a scheme of vengeance and two years later kills Amnon for raping his sister, before finding asylum in a neighboring kingdom.

David is in a difficult position. Absalom (his father’s favorite) has killed another of his sons. Societal conventions do not allow David to bring his son home (no doubt the two years between Tamar’s rape and Amnon’s death, not to mention the careful planning involved, make it difficult to argue against premeditation).

Joab, the king’s trusted general, intervenes. Though he convinces David it is time to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, David still refuses to see his son. Though back in his home, he is still exiled from his father’s presence.

After another two years has passed, Absalom sends Joab to plead his case before David, and the king finally reconciles with his son.

Whispers. Jonadab whispered in Amnon’s ear to indulge his appetites. Joab whispered in David’s ear to do the right thing.

Who’s your Jonadab? Who’s your Joab?

Day 91: 2 Samuel 10, 11 and 12

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war . . . David remained in Jerusalem. (1 Samuel 11:1)

Seemingly insignificant decisions can reap giant consequences.

Israel was going to war with Ammon. David had an able general in Joab, and entrusted the Ammonite military campaign to him, leaving David with some free time on his hands. One sleepless night, David was strolling around the palace rooftop, when he spied his neighbor's wife bathing. He was intrigued and had her summoned. While David's neighbor (Uriah) was at the battlefront, David became sexually entangled with Bathsheba (Uriah's wife). Their relationship resulted in an unwanted pregnancy and a potentially embarrassing scandal for the king.

Rather than seeing this as an opportunity to come clean and confess his sins, David went the way of the cover-up. He brought Uriah home from the front lines, thinking he would sleep with his wife and every would think the baby was his. No flag no foul, but Uriah had too much integrity for that. In a final act of desperation, David arranged with Joab for Uriah to become a casualty of war, a sure-fire solution to his problem with plausible deniability for all. David was in the clear… and a murderer.

What would have happened if David had led his own troops into battle, and that first wayward step not taken?

All for the want of a nail.

Has a seemingly insignificant decision ever led to big consequences for you?

Day 90: 2 Samuel 7, 8 and 9

I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth. (2 Samuel 7:9)

Unlike Saul, who dedicated a statue in his own honor (1 Samuel 15:12), David’s success doesn’t cause him to covet for himself the glory and honor that belong only to God. David’s heart is to build a temple for Yahweh: Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent (2 Samuel 7:2). Nearly 500 years later, God would scold the returning exiles through the prophet Haggai: Is it time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while [the Temple] remains a ruin (Haggai 1:4)?

David is becoming famous but, rather than desire the world’s acclaim, he wants only to make God’s name great. Because David has his priorities in the right order, God speaks over him: I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.

Do you remember our conversation back in January contrasting the people of Babel with Abraham? The men on the Plain of Shinar proclaimed: Let us build ourselves a city . . . that we may make a name for ourselves (Genesis 11:4). Because Abraham honored God, God said: I will make your name great (Genesis 12:2).

If you want the right kind of acclaim, don’t worry so much about your own reputation. Make God’s name great!

What have you done this week to bring glory to God?

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?

Day 88: 2 Samuel 1, 2 and 3

"He asked me, 'Who are you?' " 'An Amalekite,' I answered." (2 Samuel 1:8)

Remember the Amalekites? Review this pivotal narrative in Saul’s downward spiral in 1 Samuel 15. This isn't the first time we’ve encountered Amalek. Exodus 17 recounts how they attacked Israel wholly unprovoked while they marched through the wilderness. And this isn’t the last time we'll hear the name either. We’ll revisit this narrative of Saul and Agag when we read Esther.

Yet one more tragic element of this account of Saul's last battle with the Philistines is the often overlooked detail of who ended his life. The final chapter of 1 Samuel ends where Saul has fallen on his own sword rather than be captured by the enemy. The opening chapter of 2 Samuel tells the rest of the story. A young man finds Saul mortally wounded by still alive. Saul asks him to finish the job of which he had been unable. “But first, tell me who you are.”

“An Amalekite.”

Saul was told to destroy King Aga and all the Amalekites. He disobeyed. Bottom line? What he failed to destroy, in turn destroyed him.

When God tells us to get rid of something in our lives, we cannot afford to go only half way. Either we do away with it, or it might possibly do away with us. God does not want to deprive us, but to free us.

Is there anything in your life that God has told you to get rid of?

Day 95: 2 Samuel 22, 23 and 24

Enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are. (2 Samuel 22, 23 and 24)

David is the greatest warrior-king ever recorded in the Old Testament. He's never lost a battle. Why? Was it because he was such a great tactician? Because of his military machine? Or overwhelming numbers? No; it was because God was with him. David is always careful to give God the glory for each victory, acknowledging the source of his success.

And yet here in the evening of his days, when he has defeated every enemy and subjugated every opposing kingdom, doubt creeps in. Do I have the strength to hold on to what is mine? And so he orders his faithful friend Joab to implement a census,... really a registration for a possible future draft.

Was there something wrong with taking a census? God had ordered Israel to take a census shortly after exiting Egypt and again before entering Canaan. Nothing wrong with a census. Was there something wrong with being prepared? Would Jesus not illustrate a thousand years later: Will [a king] not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand (Luke 14:31)? Nothing wrong with being prepared.

The sin was in not trusting God. God had never let him down, never left him on his own, but now David was acting like God wasn't even part of the equation.

For what do you need to trust God?

Day 94: 2 Samuel 19, 20 and 21

Whoever is for David, let him follow Joab! (2 Samuel 20:11)

Maybe he felt bad for sending Absalom away when he avenged his sister by killing her rapist (his half-brother Amnon), but when it came to his favorite son, David was loyal to a fault.

Absalom had finessed the kingdom away from his father, causing David and those loyal to him to run for their lives. Joab had the opportunity, so out of loyalty to David, he killed Absalom. Joab knew it had to be done if the king were ever to regain the throne. And how does David reward him? He spitefully replaces him with none other than Amasa, the general who had supported Absalom's coup.

But being in trouble is a good way to find out who your friends are. Amasa, sensing David's vulnerability, drags his feet allowing David's enemies more time to strengthen their position. Joab, still loyal to David, sees what Amasa is up to and executes him. He then chases down the king's other enemies, reuniting the kingdom under David.

A friend loves us in spite of our shortcomings. A friend sticks by us when the chips are down. Those seeking the advantage over us constantly scrutinize us to find where we are weak. And once they discern a chink in our armor, they use it against us.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17).

Who do you know that needs a friend?

Day 93: 2 Samuel 16, 17 and 18

[Shimei] threw stones at David and his officers, but the people and soldiers gathered all around David. (2 Samuel 16:6)

As leaders, it's a fact of life that people will throw stones at us. What a blessing to be surrounded by people who love us, and who are willing to put themselves between us and our detractors. It is not self-serving for a leader to teach those around him their responsibility in this matter. It is not dictatorial or cultish to ingrain this kind of loyalty and sacrifice into the hearts and minds of followers. Leaders in training will be blessed by following the example of David's soldiers. After all, one day someone will be throwing rocks at them.

There is another lesson here. David doesn't just dismiss out of hand Shimei's curses. If he is cursing me because the Lord told him to, who can question him (16:10)? David understood the necessity of spreading out before the Lord accusations made against him. David knew that, only after honest examination, if there was nothing there that would be the time to dismiss those curses. He was also humble and teachable. If there was a foundation of truth in Shimei's curse, or if God was trying to speak to him, he was prepared to receive from the Lord his message of correction.

When's the last time you expressed appreciation to people in your life who care enough about you to shield you? And those who care enough to lovingly confront you?

Day 92: 2 Samuel 13, 14 and 15

Amnon had a friend named Jonadab . . . a very shrewd man. (2 Samuel 13:3)

These chapters illustrate the influence of a well-placed whisper. Our story begins with Amnon, a prince of Israel, who is head over heels in lust with his half sister. His friend Jonadab conceives an evil plan, and whispers it in Amnon's ear, leading to the travesty of King David's virgin daughter being raped by her half brother.

After Tamar confides in Absalom the terrible thing that has happened, her older brother nurses a scheme of vengeance and two years later kills Amnon for raping his sister, before finding asylum in a neighboring kingdom.

David is in a difficult position. Absalom (his father's favorite) has killed another of his sons. Societal conventions do not allow David to bring his son home (no doubt the two years between Tamar's rape and Amnon's death, not to mention the careful planning involved, make it difficult to argue against premeditation).

Joab, the king's trusted general, intervenes. Though he convinces David it is time to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem, David still refuses to see his son. Though back in his home, he is still exiled from his father's presence.

After another two years has passed, Absalom sends Joab to plead his case before David, and the king finally reconciles with his son.

Whispers. Jonadab whispered in Amnon's ear to indulge his appetites. Joab whispered in David's ear to do the right thing.

Who's your Jonadab? Who's your Joab?