2 Samuel 2:1-11 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Samuel 2:1-11. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Samuel 2:1-4 (NIV)
1 In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The LORD said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered.
2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns.
4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul,
On verse 1-4a: David is considering what his first move should be after the death of Saul. He does the wisest thing anyone can do: he inquires of the Lord. The Lord tells David to go to Hebron. Why Hebron? We don’t know for sure, but reasons could include: (1) it was the largest city of refuge in the region; (2) it was a city that had belonged to Caleb, an ancestor of David’s wife Abigail; and (3) it was given to the priests of Israel, the sons of Aaron, and David’s pastor Abiathar the priest was a son of Aaron. For all these reasons, Hebron was a relatively safe and strategic place for David, his family and men to take residence after returning to Israel. David obeys God’s direction to go to Hebron (v3) and there the men of Judah anoint him king over the tribe of Judah (v4a).
What can we learn from this? When you’re considering your next step, don’t just assume you know what to do; inquire of the Lord. Look to God for guidance. Also, notice that the Lord didn’t give David all the answers at once; rather, the Lord revealed more specifics as David asked Him for more specifics. Why is that? It’s not because God was playing games with David; rather it’s because God values intimacy with His people. He loves hearing from you and being close to you. The closer and longer you draw near to God, the more He will reveal Himself and His heart to you.
2 Samuel 2:4b-7 (NIV)
4 …When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul,
5 he sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead to say to them, “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him.
6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.
7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
On verses 4b-7: The people of Jabesh Gilead may have been afraid of David, fearing that David would be upset at how they had treated Saul well and had given him an honorable burial. But in these verses David shows that he is not that kind of jealous person. David blesses the people of Jabesh Gilead for the way they honoured Saul (v5) and assures them that because of their kindness to Saul’s family, David will be kind to them (v6). He encourages them to be brave and lets them know that he has been anointed the king over the tribe of Judah (v7).
2 Samuel 2:8-11 (NIV)
8 Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
9 He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.
10 Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was forty years old when he became king over Israel, and he reigned two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.
11 The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
On verses 8-11: While David was being anointed king over Judah, Abner, a cousin of Saul, wants to ensure that one of Saul’s sons retains the throne over Israel. So Abner takes Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth and makes him king over all Israel (v8-9), while the tribe of Judah remained loyal to David (v10).
What can we learn from this? David’s calling was to be king over all of Israel. But notice this dream and calling did not happen overnight. When David first became a king, the jurisdiction over which he became king was very small in comparison to his calling: just one tribe of Judah versus the entire nation of Israel. Even after King Saul had died, it would be another 7.5 years before David would become king over all of Israel, gradually taking over Israel piece by piece.
Likewise, God has a calling and a dream for your life. But callings and dreams rarely get fulfilled overnight. It takes time. God’s kingdom is the same way. Like a mustard seed it begins small but with proper care it grows more and more until it is the largest plant in the garden. So don’t despise small beginnings and don’t be discouraged if the calling and dream God has for your life has not yet been realized. Like David, just be faithful with what is in your control, trust God with what is not in your control, and watch Him complete the good work He has started in you.
Father, thank You for the calling and dream You have for my life. You will be faithful to fulfill it, faithful to complete the good work You started in me. I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
