2 Samuel 9 - the Gospel in the Old Testament

Out of his great love for his late friend Jonathan, David asks if there is anyone to whom he can show grace. The lame son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth (meh-FIBB-o-sheth), is the sole remaining heir (see 2 Samuel 4:4). Rather than dispatch this last remaining, feeble threat to his monarchy, David instead showers him with kindness, as if he were one of David's own sons.

Jerry Bridges, in his great book Transforming Grace, points to this episode as a picture of the gospel for us today. Like Mephibosheth, we are unable to do anything for ourselves. We want to set up our own kingdom, but instead of wiping out this feeble threat to His Kingdom, Christ has made it possible for us - in God's grace - to sit and eat at the King's table with Him! Note also that in v.13, the text repeats itself...telling us again that Mephibosheth always ate at the King's table, and that he was lame in both feet. It's a reminder that we are in need of God's continuous grace - we stay 'lame' and in need of His goodness all our lives.

Question: 1) Read Ephesians 2: 6-7. Where are we seated now? In order that God might show what?

Good Article

Men-
A change of pace...good article on our role in family vacations:

FamilyVacations

2 Samuel 8

The borders of Israel, David's kingdom, now expand well beyond those established by his predecessor Saul. In case we missed it, the text tells us twice why that is (v. 6; v. 14): 'the LORD gave David victory wherever he went'.

David shows that he understood that principle, as he dedicated to the LORD all the silver and gold and bronze that were plundered in battle. David knows that it's not his prowess, wisdom, strength, or wealth that are providing the victories he is enjoying, and he acts accordingly. Once he gets that part straight in his heart, 'doing what is just and right for his people' (v. 15) follows logically.

Questions: 1) Are you giving honor to God for the victories you are enjoying personally or professionally, or are you (even subtly) becoming proud over what you think you have done? 2) Read Psalm 72. Apparently David's son Solomon (more on him later) learned David's lessons about wise leadership of the people. What are your sons and daughters learning from your example?

2 Samuel 7:18-29

In response to God's message of blessing, David rightly reflects (in effect): "Why me? Why my family? Given who we are, why do we deserve these unbelievable blessings?" (v. 18). This is a great habit to cultivate, isn't it? Most of the time when we say, "Why me?", it's to complain about unfortunate circumstances. Do we spend at least as much time thanking the LORD when, as David says in Psalm 16:6, "the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places"?

David sits before the Sovereign LORD (a term for God used 7 times here and nowhere else in 1 or 2 Samuel) and acknowledges a) that it's all by the LORD's hand and for His purposes, and b) that he is completely known by this same LORD (v. 20). His gratefulness is not only for himself, but for the nation he rules, Israel. Someone has said that the best proof for the existence of God is the continued survival of the nation of Israel, in spite of thousands of years of being the target of nations bent on its destruction.

Questions: 1) Ponder for a few minutes the blessings that God has given to you and your family. Think what He has called you to, and what He has done in your life to bring you to this point, and thank Him for that specifically. 2) Is it scary to think that you are completely known by God - all the innermost thoughts, hopes, fears. lusts in your heart? Read 1 John 3: 19-24 and be reassured that God knows it all and only asks that we believe in the Son He sent to forgive what's in our hearts, and pass it along to others.

2 Samuel 7:1-17

As David's life enters a season where he can 'slow down' a little bit, it is interesting to note what consumes his thoughts. Rather than thinking about what how much more 'stuff' he can add to the palace, David does an internal accounting on his lifestyle vs. God's glorification (v.2). His conclusion: it's not right that my house exceeds God's house.

Note that Nathan the prophet - observing the king's single-minded walk - is confident that David's plans are aligned with God's plans (v. 3). But God has something much more magnificent in mind than David building Him a house...He wants to establish a house for David that will last forever (v.11, 13).

As with Abraham in Genesis 12 & 15, God reveals more of His long term plan for blessing His people in vs. 11-16. One of David's offspring will be God's son (v. 14). His kingdom will be established forever. God's love will never be taken from the son as it was from Saul, but wrongdoing will be punished with the rod of men and floggings.

Questions: 1) In the busyness of your life, take a few minutes to do your own internal accounting. How much of our focus is on stuff for 'our house', vs. seeing God's kingdom advanced? What is a tangible way (e.g., supporting a missionary, donating time to help flood victims) that you can begin to change the balance sheet? 2) Read John 19: 1-3. Amazingly, Jesus had no wrongdoing of his own to be punished, but he was flogged and ultimately crucified for my sins and your sins. Let's be thankful this very day that He took the punishment for our wrongdoing.

2 Samuel 6

What can we learn about worship of the living God from this chapter? First, Uzzah's intentions were good, as he reached out to steady the ark (vs. 6-7), but God had prescribed how He may and may not be approached. Many people with the best of intentions want to set their own ground rules for how to 'reach out and touch' God, but the sovereign God gets to set His own parameters. 

David's wife Michal had expectations of how to (and how not to) worship God. She despised David's unabashed joy, dancing, and celebration in the presence of God and others (v. 20). She therefore failed to experience the celebration of new life for the remainder of her days.

Ah, but then there is the house of Obed-Edom. His house was a temporary way station for the ark, and the presence of the LORD in his household provided great blessing (vs. 11-12). No doubt they were sorry to see the ark go, as David relocates it to Jerusalem.

Questions: 1) Like David, are you struck by the seeming unfairness of what happened to Uzzah? Are you angry at God for something He has let happen that makes no sense to you? Have you let it make you bitter, or, like David, can you let it give you a new appreciation and awe for the holy God? 2) What is your reaction to worship styles that make you uncomfortable? Beware looking down on those who worship the same LORD in a different way. 3) Is your family experiencing the blessing of the LORD's presence in your house? 

2 Samuel 5 (part two)

David eventually sets up his rule in Jerusalem, with a splendid palace built by Hiram of Tyre. Note that we can learn much about people (and ourselves!) in terms of how they respond to success. 

One way David responded is found in v. 12: first, he attributed his exaltation as king directly to the LORD, rather than congratulating himself on his own wisdom or giftedness. Second, this exaltation of his kingdom "was for the sake of his people Israel". David's blessing was not to stop with David; God was blessing David so that he could in turn be a blessing to the people God loved. 

However, a second way that David responded to success is more ominous. As we discussed in 1 Samuel, Deuteronomy 17:17 warns the future kings of Israel not to multiply wives. David's desire for more and more wives, concubines, and children will not end well...even as God demonstrates His sovereignty over the bad choices.

Questions: 1) As you contemplate your blessings, who does God want you to share those blessings with? For example, who does He want to bless by your witness to Him? Who can He bless through sharing your financial resources? 2) What old habits or long-term sins are being masked by your success, instead of being dealt with?

2 Samuel 5

David's kingdom is now consolidated, as he is established as king over Israel as well as Judah - a rule that would last a total of 40 years. Note that David is characterized in v.2 not only as king, but as 'shepherd'. See how our sovereign God  has used the circumstances in David's young life- David has learned the tender care, watchfulness, and protection of a flock (see 1 Samuel 16:11) in the wilderness, to prepare him for a similar role in the palace.

David becomes 'more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him' (v. 10). His long-established habit of inquiring of the LORD continues to serve him well, as the LORD gives him not only victory but military strategy! (vs. 22-25)

Questions: 1) Remember our study of Genesis from last year. Who else can you think of who the LORD prepared for a future role in the palace, and of whom it was said that the LORD was with him? Can you also trust that the LORD is preparing you for a future role in your difficult or seemingly meaningless circumstances? 2) Read John 10: 11-18. David's great great great etc. Grandson was also a shepherd. What characterized His shepherd's role? His kingdom?

2 Samuel 4

Think how kings typically consolidate their power - through taking every opportunity to kill any real or potential rivals to their throne. David has learned to let God lead his steps and establish for David the role He has for him, rather than depending on his own schemes or plots for success. In fact, look at how God has cleared the way for David's rule, without David lifting a finger against Saul, Jonathan, Abner, and now Ish-Bosheth.

As king, David won't even tolerate it when others scheme to establish favor for themselves (see the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1, and Baanah and Recab in this chapter).

Questions: 1) What does God want done in your workplace? In what ways does He desire you to act, and in what ways do you need to let Him establish the role He has for you there? 2) In 2 Samuel 4:9, David gives praise to the LORD who has "delivered me out of all trouble". Reflect on all the trouble the LORD has delivered you from, and praise Him today! 

2 Samuel 3

As God sovereignly works towards the consolidation of His kingdom under David's rule, note carefully David's decision to multiply wives, and by extension, offspring from the different wives. Keep these small steps in mind as we progress through 2 Samuel and see the implications of these actions.

Abner, the commander of Saul's army, strengthens his own position (v. 6) in the house of Saul, little knowing that his efforts to broker peace will soon lead to his murder at the hands of Joab. Joab's refusal to forgive Abner for his brother's death in battle (chapter 2) leads to a curse on him and his family. 

Questions: 1) Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what small steps of compromise might be leading you to big trouble if they continue. 2) Is there someone in your life to whom you are refusing forgiveness? Who in your family might be impacted if you continue to harbor resentment? Read Matthew 6: 9-15 (particularly v. 12, 14-15) for insights into the importance of extending forgiveness to others.