2 Samuel 16 "Shimei Curses David"

Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! The LORD has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!” (vv.5-8)

Shimei was a distant relative of the former King Saul, and he still resented David for replacing the dynasty of Saul. Shimei was about as offensive as a person could be. He wanted to destroy any shred of dignity or confidence that David had left and had this heart against David for a long time, but he could only show it when David was down and out. 

David Guzik reminds us in his commentary that there are always people ready to rejoice when a leader falls. Spurgeon wrote, “It is very hard to bear a cowardly attack. One is very apt to reply and use hard words to one who takes advantage of your position and deals you the coward’s blow. Only the coward strikes a man when he is down.”

A quick look at the outward appearance of things seemed to confirm Shimei’s analysis, but Shimei was wrong. None of this came upon David because of what he did to Saul or Saul’s family. Therefore, Abishai didn’t want to listen to Shimei curse or to dodge his stones anymore. And furthermore, the mighty men surrounding David were more than ready to kill Shimei in an instant. However David said, "So let him curse." David was willing to hear what God might say to him through a cursing critic. David let Shimei speak because he was not a bloodthirsty man (what have I to do with you). Ironically, if David were the kind of man Shimei said he was, Shimei would have been killed instantly.

We all can learn something here. As we grow in our awareness of God's protective love, we become less concerned with what others say about us and more willing to entrust ourselves to our Father. Like David, we can then say of each critic, "Let him alone, and let him curse" (v.11), thus demonstrating humble submission to God’s will.

It takes great maturity to look beyond those who oppose us and simple faith to look to the One who unites us. Believing, that whatever God permits, is for our ultimate good. Therefore, trust Him, rest in His love and let you detractors alone. 

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” (Matthew 5:11)

2 Samuel 15 "David Flees From Absalom"

A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.” Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom.” (vv.13-14)

David, upon receiving the news that Absalom had conspired against him and was ready to attack Jerusalem, found himself in a dilemma. He could stay in Jerusalem, arm his soliders and fight against his own son or, flee. David knew well that Absalom was a ruthless man who valued power over principle. He didn’t want the city of Jerusalem to become a battleground (strike the city with the edge of the sword), so he fled the city. Therefore, David ordered everyone to flee the city. He knew that if they stayed Absalom would overtake it and bring ruin to the entire city (v.14).

David had been a warrior all his life. It could not have been easy for him to flee Jerusalem. However, it is just as courageous to back down for the sake of others as it is to stand and fight. Proverbs 16:18 says, “a prideful heart always leads to destruction.” What is there to prove if we lose everything in the process?

Just as David wisely counted the cost associated with standing and fighting (in Jerusalem, the holy city, where the ark rested, against his son), we must do the same. Choose your battles wisely. There is a time to fight and a time to back down for the sake of others. Save the fight for another day.

The Truth: “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

2 Samuel 14 "Lost Opprotunities"

 So the woman said: “Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God? For the king speaks this thing as one who is guilty, in that the king does not bring his banished one home again. For we shall surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.” (v.14)

Here the woman of Tekoa speaks boldly to David, confronting his sin of not initiating reconciliation with Absalom. Because he was estranged from David and growing more and more bitter, Absalom was a threat to Israel and David allowed it (Why then have you schemed such a thing against the people of God?). She also speaks wisely to David about the urgency of reconciliation. “David, we all die and then the opportunity for reconciliation is over. Do it now. Find a way to do it, David. God finds a way to bring us back to Himself.” 

It is true that God finds a way – but not at the expense of justice. God reconciles us by satisfying justice, not by ignoring justice. David had some responsibility to initiate reconciliation. If David approached Absalom, he might be rejected, but he still had the responsibility to try. Yet as king and chief judge of Israel, he also had a responsibility to both initiate reconciliation and to do it the right way. David will not succeed in this.

This reminds us to settle our own family issues quickly and not allow lost opportunities to slip past us. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 18, we are to go to that person and make things right. And as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from us with all speed. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven us” (vv.31-32).

God wants his children to reconcile, not carry bitterness in our hearts to the grave. Therefore, make the most of your opportunities while you can and choose to live in love and forgiveness, not just with family, but with all men as much as possible.

The Truth: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

2 Samuel 13 “Tamar And Amon”

 “After this (the capture of Rabbah) Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.” (v.1)

In 1974, the song “Cats in the Cradle” was a #1 Billboard hit. It spoke of a young boy who grew up vowing to be like his father. Unfortunately, the father never had time for his young son, and eventually the roles are reversed. The grown son now has no time for his father and the song ends with the haunting words: “And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me / He’d grown up just like me / My boy was just like me.”

This theme of the son becoming like the father is portrayed vividly in today’s reading, as David’s sins of lust, adultery, deceit, and murder are now played out in even darker ways by his own sons. David himself is portrayed as a weak and ineffective father who saw sin but did nothing about it, despite his apparent fury.

As a parent or grandparent, understand that your actions, or the lack of them, have consequences. Therefore, seek the LORD’s guidance for how to leave a legacy of godliness to your family, as we do not want to instill expectations that seem to excuse sin. We can not say one thing and yet do another. Be that life example and walk your talk.

For David, all this can be laid at his feet as a consequence of his sin with Bathsheba and reveals the outward manifestation of God’s promised judgment on David and his house (2 Samuel 12:10). If patterns of generational sin have plagued your house, ask the LORD for His grace and deliverance.

The Truth: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

2 Samuel 12 "David Forgiven"

Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin.” (v.13)

God’s forgiveness of David's sin was immediate. God did not demand a time of probation. God's statement, "You shall not die" meant that David would be spared the penalty for adultery commanded under the Law of Moses. David believed the word of the prophet when he said in verse 7, “You are the man!” Therefore he could also believe his word, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.”

There's a story about a boy whose father pounded a nail in the barn door every time the boy did something wrong. Soon there were many nails. Then one day the boy accepted Christ as Savior and began living for Him. To impress upon his son the wonder of being forgiven, the father took him to the barn and pulled out every nail from the door. "That is what it means to have all your sins forgiven," he said. "They are gone forever."

The boy was deeply impressed. Then looking at the door he asked, "But Father, how can I get rid of the holes?" "I'm sorry," said the father, "but they will remain."

All sin carries a price tag. Its consequences may range from minor to major, but the bill always comes due. 

The psalmist David paid dearly for committing adultery with Bathsheba and engineering her husband's death to cover up his sin. Guilt sapped his strength (Ps. 32:3-4). Even though he confessed his sin, and God "removed the nail," David carried with him a deep sorrowful hole in his heart the rest of his life (vv.15-17).

Even though we have to live with the consequences of sin, we who trust in Christ (as the sacrifice for our sins), can rejoice in His forgiveness. 

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

2 Samuel 11 “David Displeased The LORD”

“But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (v.27b)

Here in chapter 11 we have the story of David and Bathsheba. The reminder that a beautiful women can arouse desires even in the best of men – intentionally or unintentionally. I’m sure bathing on her roof top Bathsheba never thought that David was watching her. She probably did this many times, especially in the summer months. However, whether unintentional or not, men are weak when it comes to beauty and must fight hard against the desire to engage in some way.

Scripture tells us that David saw her bathing, that she was very beautiful to behold, and  that he inquired about her (vv.2-3). Had David stopped right here he could have saved himself from additional sin, Bathsheba from the loss of her husband and her child, and Uriah’s life. He still would have been guilty of his lustful desires, but that sin would have been contained with him and the eventual consequences to others contained.  

David’s sin was displeasing to the LORD not just because his initial transgression, but for everything that followed it as a result. Later when David is confronted by Nathan the priest through a parable concerning his secret sins, he confesses his wrong doings and both askes and receives forgiveness. However, the consequences of his actions did not change and he had to live with those results the rest of his life.

There’s an old saying, “if you play with fire, you’re going to get burned.” If you are toying with some secret sin, let it go now! Give it to God. Ask for His forgiveness before you sin hurts both yourself and others.

The Truth: “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from my secret faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:12-13)

2 Samuel 10 “David’s Kindness Rejected”

“So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle as far as their hips, and sent them away.” (v.4)

When the Ammonite king died, David showed kindness to the Ammonites by sending emissaries to express his sympathy. The Ammonites, however, returned David’s kindness with insult and war. They sent the emissaries home humiliated, with their beards half-shorn and buttocks exposed. Then they turned aggressive, hiring Aramean soldiers to fight the Israelites (v.6). 

Back in chapter 9, David extended kindness to Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, son of king Saul, and he accepted it. Here in chapter 10, David extends kindness to Hanun, son of king Nahash, and he rejects it and returns evil for good.

Today not much has changed. When we as Christians extend the “good news” to those around us, some will receive it gladly and others will reject it, some may even look to humiliate us. However, we are simpily commissioned (as servants of our King) by the Son of David, to share His message of kindness, love, and mercy. The choice to accept or reject this kindness is up to each individual. (see parable of the sower Matthew 13)

I pray that like Mephibosheth, you accept the king’s invitation.

The Truth: “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

2 Samuel 9 "David Shows Kindness To Saul's Remaining Descendant"

Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” (vv.5-6)

In any transfer of power in the ancient world, a new monarch was often concerned about two things. First, he wanted to stabilize the kingdom by subduing all surrounding enemies. Second, he would often protect his throne by killing all relatives of the previous ruler. So Mephibosheth must have been terrified when messengers from David knocked at his door and demanded that he come with them to see the king. In the back of his mind, he anticipated the day when David would do as other kings did and massacre every potential rival to his throne. 

Unlike other kings who would destroy all potential rebels, David sought to show kindness to Saul’s remaining descendants. He promised to restore Mephibosheth’s land and commissioned workers to tend the land in order to provide for Jonathan’s son. Furthermore, he promised that, “Mephibosheth would always eat at the king’s table.” What an example of grace. A crippled son of David’s enemy, who can offer nothing in return, was granted the honor of family fellowship with the king.

Here we see a beautiful parallel to the family fellowship we as Christians are granted through God’s Son, Jesus. Like Mephibosheth, we shall one day eat at The King’s table like one of His Sons.

The Truth: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:26)

2 Samuel 8 “The LORD Preserved David”

 “And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” (v.14-15)

This chapter contains a summary account of the wars by which David established the supremacy of Israel among the surrounding nations. In less than twenty verses we are told of David’s conflict with and victory over the Philistines, the Moabites, Hadadezer king of Zobah, the Arameans, the Edomites, the Ammonites, and the Amalekites. It also emphasizes the type of victory David enjoyed. 

First, we see that this was a divine victory. Twice Scripture says, “The LORD gave David victory wherever he went” (vv. 6, 14). Second, we are shown that this was no temporary victory—God was establishing a stable kingdom that would last. And finally, the text indicates that David recognized God’s hand and responded appropriately.

The key to God’s preservation of David was, he recognized from whose hand it all came. David never went out in his own strength, he constantly inquired of the LORD, followed His direction and gave the glory to God. Thus, wherever David went, the LORD preserved him, even during his own personal struggles.

Again we are given a blueprint by David, this time on how to be victorious in our lives.  Armor up, Inquire of the Lord, follow His direction, and give the glory to God.  

The Truth

“For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.”

2 Samuel 7 "David's Prayer"

Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (v.18)

David, after hearing God’s word through the prophet Nathan, went in and sat before the LORD. In a posture of humility, David recognized his own unworthiness for all God had done for him, and all God had promised in the future. In other words, David began his prayer with a humble heart of gratitude. David’s attitude wasn’t, “I am so great that even God gives me gifts.” His attitude was, “God is so great that He gives even me gifts.” We should receive salvation and every blessing with the same attitude. God’s giving reflects the greatness of the Giver, not the receiver.

How often do we approach God in humility during prayer? How often do we give Him credit for all His blessings and kindness unto us? If your like me, probably not often enough. Oh we have have our lists of requests ready to fire up at a moments notice, but humble hearts of gratitude, or expressions of admiration are often too far down our list, if expressed at all. David’s humble reception of this gift is shown by the repetition of the phrase Your servant– ten times in this prayer.

Here in David’s prayer, it is only after he has acknowledged his unworthiness and marveled at God’s character (v.22), that he petitioned God (v.25). What a excellent model to follow in our own prayer lives, humility, gratitude and praise, before petition.

Let's us humbly give Him glory, to Whom glory is due, before our list of requests.

The Truth: Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

2 Samuel 6 "David Danced Before The LORD"

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.” (2 Samuel 6:14-16)

After becoming king over all of Israel, and capturing the city of Jerusalem, David brought the ark into his new capitol and danced in celebration with a heart full of joy. But his wife condemned him. She was probably upset because she thought his dress and behavior weren’t becoming for a king or simpily because, “the eyes of the maids of his servants”, were watching.

However, David wasn’t dancing for her or the maid servants nor Israel itself. He danced for the LORD. His worship came from the heart, full of emotion, and completely submitted to God. He dressed in an the ephod not to look unkingly, but to identify with the other worshippers. He cared more about how he worshiped than about what he had on.

God’s people have always been subject to criticism, even by members of their own church or family. People are often quick to criticize a well meaning act of devotion as strange or in some cases, fannatical. Why? Because man looks on the outside and does not see the heart. Michal judged David by his outward actions and rebuked him, but God received David’s praise.

An excellent lesson for us all not to despise praise nor judge those offering it.

The Truth: “Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.” (Psalm 111:1)

2 Chronicles 9 "The Hearts of Three Kings"

"Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.” (vv.30-31)

It doesn’t matter how wise you are, how much money you have, how well known you are, or even your position/title in life, all men die. What does matter is, the position of ones heart toward Jesus. Let’s look at the hearts of three kings of Israel; king Saul, king David and king Solomon.

King Saul, the first king of Israel, had no heart for the Lord. In fact, scripture tells us in 1 Kings that he “hardened” his heart against the Lord, turned his back on the Lord, and in chapter 31, was eventually judged by the Lord – very sad.

King David on the other hand, had a whole heart for the Lord. In fact, scripture tells us, “he was a man after God’s own heart.” David heard the Word of the Lord, responded to the Word of the Lord, kept the Word of the Lord, and loved God deeply - very rare.

King Solomon, David's son, had half a heart for the Lord. He began well but ended poorly. His heart became divided between the God of his father and the gods of the world - very common.

These three kings remind us of the parable of the sower from Matthew 13, which still represents the world today. Some hearts (soil) are hard and God’s Word (seed) is never received (like Saul’s), other hearts are open to the Word, but are soon closed off by the cares (weeds) of the world (like Solomon’s), but finally there are those hearts that receive the Word gladly and produce much fruit (like David’s).

The issue with Jesus is always about your heart, nothing more. Which one of these examples best describes your heart? I pray that it is like David's. Lord help us to be “all in.”

The Truth: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

2 Samuel 5 "David Waited Upon God"

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘Look, we are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our ruler, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns, and the LORD said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become Israel's king.” (vv.1-3)

The key to David’s kingship and the re-unification of all Israel is found in the first sentence, “All the tribes of Israel came to David,” He could have tried and force the tribes under his authority and power. After all, he had been anointed years ago by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13) and more recently anointed king over the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). He had ample opportunity to take advantage of the situation for his own benefit, but he did not. He knew that if he did, then his authority as King would be that of an “overlord”, not as a King who ruled by acclamation and consent.

1 Chronicles 12:23-40 describes the great assembly that gathered in Hebron to recognize David as king over all Israel. Chronicles describes the impressive army that came to Hebron and numbers the soldiers at over 340,000 men. It then describes the scene: All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them…. for there was joy in Israel (1 Chronicles 12:38-40).

David was prepared to wait for this moment so that his authority would be accepted by all the people as coming from God and not from himself. God was in control of the destiny of His people; it all needed to take time, and David was willing to wait on God despite the temptations to do otherwise.

What a great lesson in patience for us, to wait upon God and resist the temptation to, “Help God out.”

The Truth: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4) 

2 Samuel 4 "David Has Rechab And Bannah Executed"

But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, when someone told me, saying, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag; the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?” So David commanded his young men, and they executed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron. (vv.9-12)

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. Unknown to the two murders in our text, David had made a covenat with Johnathan to honor each other not only in life, but also to honor each other’s families beyond their own lifetimes (1 Samuel 20:42)

Now 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. Even claiming they were acting on the LORD's orders by killing the son of Saul your enemy, (v.8). David couldn’t relate to this because he didn’t think of Saul as his enemy. The beautiful song David composed at the death of Saul and Jonathan proved that though Saul set himself as an enemy of David, David did not regard him as an enemy. He had always regarded him as the LORD's anointed. 

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. David swiftly made an example of these murderous men. They were not soldiers fighting together with him; they were murderers who deserved just punishment. Therefore 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).

Adam Clarke writes in his commantary, “By this act of justice, David showed to all Israel that he was a decided enemy to the destruction of Saul’s family; and that none could lift up their hands against any of them without meeting with the appropriate punishment. And, that he depended 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)

2 Samuel 3 "God's Promise To David Fulfilled"

“All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.” (v.36)

Here in chapter 3, Abner had come to David promising him the northern tribes in return for a place in David’s kingdom. David had agreed and sent Abner away “in peace” (vv. 22, 23). Just when things seemed to be coming together for David, Joab stepped in and threatened disaster for the hope of a united kingdom. Acting from personal vengeance over his brother’s death, and using David’s peaceful promise as a cloak, Joab summoned Abner and ruthlessly murdered him in private.

Joab carefully engineered this murder so that the killing was done outside the gate of Hebron. This was because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7), and it was against the law for Joab, as Asahel’s blood avenger, to kill Abner inside the city. This carefully concieved plot to murder Abner outside the city of refuge made the murder all the darker. It showed Joab knew that Abner had a rightful claim of self-defense and was protected inside the city of Hebron, yet he killed him anyway. David did not want his kingdom established by violence. He wanted God to establish his kingdom and to punish his enemies. David still believed that vengeance belongs to the Lord. 

Would Joab’s blood vengeance thwart the promises God made to David about his kingdom? Surely the northern tribes would cry foul at the murder of their top general! And yet, even in the face of such circumstances, God’s plan slowly continued to move forward. 

David responded with genuine grief over Abner’s death. He made public declarations of his innocence; he called curses upon Joab and his family (v.30); he called for a public funeral to mourn Abner’s loss; he wrote a lament in Abner’s honor; and even in private he refused to eat out of respect for Abner’s death.

All this led to the surprising result: “All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them” (v.36). Despite Joab’s selfish action and his growing power, Scripture subtly reminds us that God’s promises cannot be thwarted. The northern tribes were coming around; a united kingdom was beginning to develop.

The Truth: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) 

2 Samuel 2 "David Anointed In Judah"

 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household. So they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. (vv.1-4)

Here we see the key to success in David's life. With rare exceptions, he constantly inquired of the LORD. David wanted more than God’s blessing on his plans; he wanted to be right in the middle of God’s plan. Therefore he inquires of the LORD, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” 

At this time David was still in Ziklag, in the territory of the Philistines. Out of great discouragement and despair, he left the land of Israel and lived almost as a Philistine among the Philistines. Now that David was restored to the LORD, he wondered if it was time for him to go back to his homeland. And the LORD said to him, "Go up to Hebron."

God was faithful to answer when David inquired. Since David had just come out of a period of spiritual decline, God could have put him on “probation” and refused to speak to him for a while. Instead, the LORD spoke to David and gave him guidance. So David went, he and all his household - including all his mighty men of valor and their households, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. There they (the men of Judah) anointed David king. 

This shows that David did not seize the throne. The elders of Judah approached him. David knew that it was better to let God lift him up through others than it was to strive to advance himself. We should strive to take a page from David's life here, to advance God’s Kingdom and leave the advancement of self in God's hands.

The Truth: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

2 Samuel 1 "David Mourns For Saul"

"Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (v.11-12)

Here in chapter 1, David is given the news that both Johnthan and King Saul have been killed by the Phillistines in battle. The death of these two persons, one a friend and the other an enemy, made way for his accession to the throne. The average man might rejoice at such news and begin making his plans for rulership. But David was not average.

That David and his men should mourn for Jonathan, a good man, and a valiant one, and a dear and faithful friend is no wonder. But, that they should mourn for Saul, a wicked man, and a persecutor of David without cause, may not seem so clear. 

However, no matter how Saul had treated David, nothing could change the fact that Saul was God’s anointed, David’s king, and father-in-law. He never lost sight of that and did not dwell on the negative in Saul's life, but always looked upon Saul through a lens of respect, at his positive qualities of courage, valor, title and kinsman-ship (v. 23). 

Accentuating the positive qualities of those who trouble us is a good way to deal with resentment, and to transform our negative attitude into one of love.

The Truth: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)