“As the
LORD lives, who (He) has redeemed my life from all adversity.” (v.9b)
A
common custom during the rise to power by a new king, was to eliminate all
family of the previous king. This was done to cut-off the blood line and any potential
claim to the throne. After the death of Saul and Jonathan (his son), there
existed two remaing descendants to the throne. Ishbosheth, son of Saul and
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan.
Here
in chapter 4, two of Ishbosheth’s captains killed him as he slept, no doubt
thinking they would be handsomely rewarded for eliminating one of the remaing
threats to David’s claim on the throne (vv.7-8). On the contrary, David told
them their reward for killing a righteous man, in his own house, as he slept
would be, “their removal from the earth” (v.11).
David
did not need anyone’s greedy, unrighteous, wicked help to fulfill God’s
promises. The LORD had been his protector and had redeemed his life from all
adversity, and would continue to do so. Therefore, David
would depend on God to crown him and complete His work in and through him, not
man.
May we all gain strength through David's example to lean on God for His guidance and protection.
The
Truth
“The Lord
is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I
will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call
upon the Lord, who is worthy
to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies (Psalm 18:2-3)
