Bible in 365 Days

2 Samuel 4-7

2 Samuel 4

Again we have the story of an unjustifiable and cruel murder, prompted solely by the hope of gaining favor with David. Once again the king made it perfectly clear that he had no part in any of these methods of obtaining the kingdom which was his by the gift of God.

His immediate punishment of the men who had murdered his rival proved him to be a man of faith, for faith consistently refuses to make use of subterfuge and injustice to secure the realization of the ends appointed by God.

While all this is true of the attitude of David, it is nevertheless patent that with the death of Abner and Ishbosheth the very center and strength of the cause of the house of Saul were destroyed.

This leads up to the "Then" with which the next paragraph begins.

2 Samuel 5

At this point the second section in the first movement of the Book commences. David had won the heart of all Israel by his consistent justice and magnanimity toward those who stood in the way of his coming into full possession of the kingdom. He had mourned for Abner, recognizing his greatness. He had punished the murderers of Ish-bosheth.

It was enough. The people recognized the kingly qualities of the man against whom they had been fighting under the leadership of Abner, and so at last David commenced his reign over the whole nation.

His first victory was the taking of Jebus. The city was considered impregnable, and in taunt its inhabitants declared it to be defended by the blind and the lame, which, of course, we are not to suppose was actually the case. Against these so-called blind and lame Joab proceeded, and with great gallantry captured the fortress.

It was out of this incident that originated the story attributing to David hatred of the blind and lame. There is no evidence that he had any such hatred, as indeed his action toward Mephibosheth subsequently disproved.

An element of weakness in David manifested itself at this point when, having come into possession of the kingdom, he multiplied his concubines and wives. Of course, here, as always, his action must be measured by his times. This, however, does not prevent a glimpse of that side of his nature which eventually manifested itself in deadly sin.

Two victories were gained over the Philistines, and thus the position of the king was made more secure.

2 Samuel 6

Victorious in war, David was not unmindful of the central truth of the national life over which he was called to preside. The nation was indeed a theocracy, with the worship of God at its very center.

Believing this, David prepared to bring the Ark into the capital. When he did a startling event occurred. Contrary to instructions given long before to Moses, the Ark was placed on a new cart. As they started on their way, the oxen drawing the cart stumbled; and one man, daring to stretch forth his hand in an attempt to steady the Ark, was at once smitten with death.

The effect on David of ,this terrible vindication of the divine majesty was remarkable. He was displeased, and yet afraid. So afraid that for the moment he dared not go forward with his purpose, and, consequently, the Ark rested for three months in the house of Obed-edom.

At last, however, it was taken forward to Jerusalem. The action of David as he danced before it, which called forth the contempt of Michal, was, of course, purely Eastern, and revealed his profound recognition of the true King of his people and his sense of humility before Him.

2 Samuel 7

The story of David's desire to build the Temple is told here in close connection with that of his bringing the Tabernacle to Jerusalem. It is not necessarily in chronological order, but is fittingly related at this point. David's desire to build the house of God was perfectly natural, and, indeed, proper. So much was this the case that it appealed to Nathan, who advised him to do all that was in his heart.

It was not, however, God's will that he should carry out this work, and the prophet was sent to deliver a message which was neither in agreement with David's desire nor with his own opinion.

Jehovah reminded David of all that He had done for him, and declared His intention of making David's reign permanent. He was not, however, the chosen instrument for building the Temple, which work should be carried out by his son.

The story reveals the triumph of Nathan and David in their ready submission to the declared will of God. The prophet unhesitatingly delivered his message, even though it contradicted his own expressed opinion. David immediately acquiesced in the will of God, and worshiped.

It is of the utmost importance that those called to the service of God in any way should ever test their desires, even the highest and the holiest of them, by His will. Work, apparently excellent in itself, must not be under taken unless by the expressed direction of God. Time always vindicates the wisdom of the divine procedure.