2 Samuel 2: 8-32

Saul's animosity towards David spreads to his loyalists, as Israel and Judah take the fight to one another. Let's review: who is the real foe here? Aren't the Philistines the enemy? And yet the remnants of squabbles at the top cause energy that should be expended externally to be focused internally instead.

As a result, there are 24 highly qualified soldiers (and ultimately, 379  - see vs. 30-31) unavailable to fight the Gentiles because they killed each other! Cooler heads ultimately prevail for the time being, as Abner convinces Joab to call off the battle...but stay tuned...

Questions: 1) In your workplace, have you been pulled into the trap of office politics and 'corporate palace intrigue'? Where would God have you set an example by working together to get things done, rather than spending energy fighting internal battles? 2) How about in the church? Do you need to make peace with anyone so that the Kingdom might be advanced, not fractured?

2 Samuel 2: 1-7

Once again David follows his long-established pattern (e.g., 1 Samuel 23:2, 4; 30:8) and inquires of the LORD before making an important decision for his family. The LORD directs him to return to Judah from Ziglag, where he had fled from Saul, and he is publicly anointed king of Judah.

'Armed' with a consistent walk with the LORD, David begins the wise path of attempting to reconcile with those in Israel who showed kindness to his enemy, Saul. Remember Saul's best day was when he rescued the people of Jabesh Gilead (1 Samuel 11)! Now David sends a message honoring their kindness to Saul in death, and invoking the LORD's blessing on them.

Questions: 1) Are you regularly inquiring of the LORD for direction in the decisions that will impact your family's life? 2) Does your consistent walk with the LORD provide the wisdom for making decisions at work, or do education and common sense play a more important role? What decisions need to be taken to Him this week?

Amalekite irony and Your blood be on your own head

Is it not ironic that Saul's death is reported by an Amalekite?

2 Samuel 1:16 - For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.' "

Matthew 27:24-25 - When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"

Acts 18:6 - But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

Leviticus 20:9 - " 'If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, and his blood will be on his own head.

There are many examples in the Bible for "Your blood be on your own head".

• David killing the Amalekite for claiming (lying) about killing Saul
• The Jews crying out to be responsible for the death of Jesus
• Paul moving on to the Gentiles because the Jews would not listen
• Anyone cursing their father or mother

Does this mean that lying, ignoring God, crucifying God, and cursing your father or mother lead us to the same result in the end?

2 Samuel 1:17-27 (part two)

David also mourns the death of his closest friend and kindred spirit, Jonathan. Though their families were at odds continually, David and Jonathan cultivated a covenant relationship that lasted until death. 

David eulogizes Jonathan with this staggering statement: "Your love for me was more wonderful than that of women." This is not a sexuality statement as much as a way for David to declare the incomparable strength of friendship that he and Jonathan shared.

Questions: 1) Read Proverbs 18:24. Do you have a friend who "sticks closer than a brother"? If so, don't neglect cultivating the relationship through time and transparent accountability. If not, what is keeping you from it: busyness? independence? fear of being discovered? 

2 Samuel 1:17-27

David mourns the death of his rival and adversary, Saul - but without rancor. His sincere lament is not only expressed, but taught to those he ruled! How would you feel if the person who repeatedly tried to kill you was now finally and irrevocably removed from the scene? Wouldn't a little gloating...a little celebration...be in order?  Yet David's leadership - undergirded by his belief in God's sovereignty - kept the greater good of the nation the priority. 

Questions: 1) Read Ezekiel 18:23. How does David's God...our God...respond to the death of His adversaries? 2) Do you rejoice (even if only inwardly) when a rival gets a setback at work? Or are you able to entrust them, and yourself, to your God?

2 Samuel 1:1-16 (part two)

Note David's high esteem for the LORD's anointed. Remember that he had ample opportunity to kill Saul himself and didn't (1 Samuel 24:6; 26:9). In 1 Samuel 26:9, David makes this amazing statement: "Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" His response to the Amalekite (consistent with that observation) was execution for his guilt.

Hundreds of years later, at Pentecost, Peter told the assembled crowd that they had laid a hand on the LORD's anointed, Jesus (Acts 2:23, 36). Through the Holy Spirit, they immediately recognized their own guilt and cried out for the forgiveness which only Jesus can provide.

Question: 1) Are you holding the LORD's anointed, Jesus, in the highest esteem? In what specific areas do you need to rethink His rightful rule in your life?

2 Samuel 1:1-16

David hears of the death of Saul and Jonathan and mourns.

Subtitle of this section: the just rewards of the brown-noser! The Amalekite didn't really do it (see 1 Samuel 31) but thought he could curry favor with David by taking credit anyway.

Questions: 1) Think of a time when you were tempted to shade the truth to advance your career. How did it work out? How did you feel when you were doing it? 2) Read Psalms 75:7 and Matthew 23:12. What is God's counsel about His role in career advancement?

Intro

Gentlemen-

As a way for us to keep our single-minded focus this summer, I'm going to be blogging on 2 Samuel periodically. Add your thoughts and we'll have a 'virtual' study until the Fall.