#449 Who Am I?

Now when the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent.” 3 And Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges[a] of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’ 8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince[b] over my people Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me.[c] Your throne shall be established forever.’” 17 In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

David's Prayer of Gratitude

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?19 And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God! 20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God! 21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them[d] great and awesome things by driving out before your people,[e] whom you redeemed for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods? 24 And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God. 25 And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken. 26 And your name will be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is God over Israel,’ and the house of your servant David will be established before you. 27 For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 And now, O Lord God, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. 29 Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.” 2 Samuel 7 ESV

Nathan offers David affirmation of his desire to do something for the Lord, and it is in earnest for the Lord has been with him, but also we should desire to glorify God always. He thinks, look at my house, it is beautiful and well crafted, yet the God of Israel inhabits a tent. Nathan gives him wisdom, yet God comes to see Nathan later and he must go back now and tell David that the Lord is not willing that you make him a house. 

God is not upset with this idea, I think rather that He is pleased with David, for He has not asked for a house, not of all the judges, and God has known His own plan from before time. He has moved with His people to every place, and His house is really not a house made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. David wishes to build a house to that Name, the Name that is above all names, HOLY. It is to honor the God that has bestowed honor upon him, and he even says, "who am I?" Why did you bring me this far? The law, the tabernacle, the temple all point to Christ. The Church is the body of Christ and while we do often meet in sanctuaries, the body of Christ lives on past these. If every building becomes no longer a refuge, if it is torn down, if ungodly men take the pulpit, then the church, that is the body of Christ, dwells on the move again. You, who have been born again, are the temple of the Holy Ghost. It is a wonderful thing here, that Nathan gives his advice, but waste no time in correcting it, when he is corrected. I value the words of those who have gone before me, who have experience that I myself do not have, but the words of God are so much higher. To hear well done from men is the cheapest of currency, but to hear well done from God there is no comparison, no words. 

God has here promised David long life, to see his offspring, for his son to take the throne, that his line, that seed we heard of from Eden's story, will reign forever. David's heir from his own body will build the temple, and Solomon's genius will be perfect for this task as David has been a great shepherd to God's people. David will be their defender, not a warmonger, but he who is called to establish peace and bring justice to God's enemies. Oh, and yet it is not a free pass, a writ of assumption, God has left Saul in his pride, removed him in his arrogance, but He will chasten David and his sons. Ask yourself this, don't say you know God loves you just because, ask yourself, does He chasten me? Have I been found bankrupt of spirit, brokenhearted over my sin, starving and thirsting after a righteousness that is not inside of me? When your pastor gets up to speak does it prick at your insides? After Nathan spoke to David, told him what the Lord had said, it led David to prayer. Again, "who am I, and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?" It's not my will, it was not even in my thoughts out in the pasture, and I was the last of my father's sons, the least. You chose out a people to Yourself, You brought them out of Egypt, You brought them all this way, demonstrated your power, your righteousness. I will glorify You above all, for there is none like YOU. Please establish my family, let it be Your family forever, praise be to the God of Israel. Unless You build the house, those that labor, labor in vane.

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[b] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[c] shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[d] in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. Matthew 16: 13-20 ESV

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#448 Well The god I Believe In Would Never Do That

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. 3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio,[a] the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, 4 with the ark of God,[b] and Ahio went before the ark.

Uzzah and the Ark

5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs[c] and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah[d] to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12 And it was told King David, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 13 And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal.14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. 17 And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts 19 and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat,[e] and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.

20 And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince[f]over Israel, the people of the Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord.22 I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your[g] eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.” 23 And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6

Notice the new cart, and this is quite a procession, many people celebrating before the presence of the Lord of Hosts, Who sits between the Cherubim. My eyes water before I can go any further into this, but how we approach God can never be of our own design. You know there is greater than you, everyone knows that regardless of how they try to describe or manipulate such. David knows for sure, but look, he has already regarded some things in light manner yet survived. Where does it say to use the cart? Well, the Philistines, who worshiped false gods, sent it back to us on a cart. Oh then, it is the world, the lost, who describe the way or dictate how we approach a Holy God. Those who God has saved for the day of His wrath and destruction are now the lamp and the light? Stop, go back to what God says. After the priest has covered these things, the sons of Koath would carry them out. The ark had rings on it where very specific poles passed through the rings, then they would carry it upon their shoulders. Straight is the way and narrow is the gate for sure, so God's grace and patience is not the measure of where you now stand, what is, is what He has said. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. There is a stumbling block of complacency, familiarity, and not in the praise of the procession for this will go out again, as God should always be lifted up. The problem herein is their Theology, they have forgotten Who God is, taken for granted what He has said, made Him of low esteem, like a man who would waste words. The cart is not steady, the load tips and Uzzah reaches out to touch that which man is incapable of, and God destroys him. It says David was angry, and it says he was afraid, who can stand here before a God like this? He understood even then and right away that there was a breach, but who could possibly not offend a God like this, who could without destroying the law or the prophets walk so righteously? Men are sure to look for good enough or a second best, but David is not so sure about the measure of the breach now. Uzzah did something, but I don't know that I could avoid an offense myself, though I have studied the Word, and I am the king, yet I am afraid, like those who cry out to the rocks, fall on us. Remove the ark, take God's presence away from me, I would rather live and sleep in denial. 

Bring it here then, I would love to be so close to His presence, and though it may cause some fear and trembling at times, I would like to be reminded. So it is the Word was with God, and the Word was God and came to dwell among us. It has now been received at the house of Obed-Edom, and the humble heart will gladly welcome that which it cannot live without. What else is there? Where else can we go, this truth cannot be made or changed? As the disciples came to understand, You hold the words of life. That which brought much fear and trembling to be worked out, to be understood as the beginning of knowledge, upon it's receiving also brought with it blessings untold. 

The blessing of God causes David to reconsider, we love Him because He first loved us. He is making Himself known to us, and it is a glory that we cannot describe, so we would put the dirt of our own minds upon religion, hate a God Who is Holy. We would be quick to anger and discontent, but all along He has reached out to explain the breach, the law reveals a breach, and when we find there is no satisfaction for the law, we either come broken, run away mad or clean the outside of the cup pretending in our pride that we have made ourselves acceptable. He was always revealing His plan, making a way for men to hear Him, to commune with Him, to be in His presence, to touch God. David is only starting to understand some of this, he was content as all men are in their ignorance, but now confronted, he is afraid. The Son of David will not desire the presence of God removed from Him, but will cry out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" There it is in the heart of Christ, that heart that I should like to have, Lord do not take Your presence from me. 

This time the men bore the ark of the Lord and it goes forward in steps. They have put the yoke upon them, they have prepared the way right and David goes out before the people, dancing, leaping and praising His God. He wore the lighter ephod rather than the clothes of a dignitary. He is caught up in God's mercy, he is amazed at His glory, he is feeling forgiven, relieved, welcomed back as a child. He is not the king when he is before the King. He is humbling himself, showing that there is One to be honored above him, Whose ways are not our ways, Who makes the wisdom and pomp of this world as foolishness. He has not felt so great as this, and then runs into his wife. She rebukes him for that which he is not really guilty of, she does not ask a question but condemns him of what he in no way wished to do. He calls out her snobbish sense of royalty, her taking on of errs and reminds her of how he came to be king, that God has already once resisted the proud. I may seem a fool to you, that I am in love with Christ, I may seem a fool to you because I have what you call religion. I may seem a fool to you because I pray and think much of it when others pray for me. I may seem a fool to you because I give God credit for all of the universe as both Creator and Sovereign. Yea, I'm ok with that, think what you will.

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And


“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[c]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4: 7-19

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#447 How Lame Are You?

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lordsaid to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince[a] over Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.[b]

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David's soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

David Defeats the Philistines

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim.[c] 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. 2 Samuel 5 ESV

Israel is finally acknowledging David as king, notice it has not been all at once, but they have come to this in measure. God's anointing should be plenty, done by His prophet who has not been wrong before them, but we are all a bit slow. They give their reasons for coming: 

First off, you are our relative, bone of our bone. You share the same heritage and upbringing as us, set apart, called out of Egypt. You are an Israelite.

Secondly, you are not just an Israelite in name, but your deeds be well known. You have already gone out before us, led the charge, led the armies. You have experience as a leader, you have been a shepherd, a servant in the courts, a champion of Israel in the face of giants, and a captain of the armies of the Lord. Here you have served in Judah as king and with restraint, not wanting to hurt your people. 

Oh yes, and all that ever really mattered at all, God has endorsed you. You have the call of God upon your life. 

So, to anyone who would read this, apply it to your pastor and yourself as a pastor or leader. First of all, are you a Christian? Have you been born again? 

Are you experienced? Do you read the scripture daily, pray for your friends and your enemies as well. Now you may want to ask yourself the first question again. Have you learned to be a servant, to follow in the steps of Jesus? 

Have you really been called or do you like the idea of position? Are you in love with the sound of your own voice? Do you just want to be served, rather than give up yourself, rather than lay down your life for the brethren? 

David goes out against the Jebusites to take the city of Jerusalem, the city of the great king, but they taunt him. They think they have the upper hand, the position, a stronghold that cannot be broken down. This place is so great in their eyes that it could be defended by the blind and the lame, David is not a threat. He sends his men up the water shaft where they are somehow able to defeat both the "lame and the blind". It is a different perspective one has, when he looks upon the wisdom of this world, that which appears bigger than you, too well defended, outside of your reach, becomes a small thing when the God of the universe is with you. Faith is not the dismissal of reason, it is the acknowledgment of the circumstance, but sides with the voice of God. As one writer puts it, worldly wisdom sees that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but faith will sell everything it has on the promise of God's word. It will give up the dust to chase that which is without measure. David will go up because the battle does not belong to the weak or to the strong. 

Now David is provided a house by a neighboring king, he is already showing himself a diplomat, as all kings must conduct themselves well with their neighbors. Trade is good, alliances can be good, always keep a door open to communication, look for every opportunity to be a good neighbor, but conduct yourself as God's chosen.

Or take more wives and conduct yourself as the heathen do, but these men and their lives are put before us as a testimony. For the student of self, this will be all the stones he needs to thoroughly trip himself on his way. Look, the Joseph Smiths of this world will say, David was a man after God's own heart, I should like to have many wives myself. Now the true student of Scripture will come along and see that it was not always so, that in the beginning God created male and female, that two became one. He will see that it is always a point of contention throughout scripture, and that in the law to the kings this was forbade. Sometimes when God does not speak again on a matter, we are left to our own reprobate, because we would not accept His first, that we are fallen and chase after our feelings and emotions. Men continue to justify their conduct, even under the guise of religion, legalism in some areas and yet no restraint of their passions. Men are quick to say, God give me this, even if they could read where he has said not that or where he has demonstrated not good. This will be the bane of David if you keep reading on. He ask God often before battle, which is wise, but here he devises not to ask God at all, for the answer will not satisfy the want. Oh, if we could change God's mind on so many things, how much easier would life be, how much more inviting the church would be? I should no longer have to stand for anything, and God would be no longer God, only what I think. An ever changing god adapting to the whims of his creatures, we could call it Theofluid, conforming to the image of man, his desires and broken reasoning. 

Now some think me rather dry and my religion old, but it is funny to hear that some describe those, who subscribe to reform Theology, as they that do not suspect to hear from God. I believe for good reason that the Bible is God's word, and therefore as often as I open it and read it's pages, I hear from God. I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me to help read God's word, and those that God has called to lead and are proven by the same Word and Spirit to teach me. I should rather pray with understanding, and like David before these battles, go to the Lord, expecting to hear, but not my own words. It is easy to hear your own voice and many rush in thinking it is confirmed, but David did not take the life of Saul when both men and circumstances pointed that way. Here, in the last battle, God has already been with him a number of times before, but he still ask, and God gives him the victory yet another way. I see a lot in the church today who act as the world in this, there is no faith in crystal balls though, or tarot cards, preachers who "have a word" and put that above God's word. They claim that everyone has less faith then them who does not believe as they do, and they ask why I can't hear the rustling in the Mulberry trees? Well, it's pretty simple, I don't own any Mulberry trees.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerlyfor our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for usthrough wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns?No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[j]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 22 -39

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#446 Wash Your Hands and Feet

When Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth also is counted part of Benjamin;3 the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day).

4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.

5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.[a] 7 When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night, 8 and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” 9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, 10 when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” 12 And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron. 2 Samuel 4 ESV

Ish-bosheth came to rely much upon the strength of Abner, and as he who held him up is now not only gone but also dead, so his courage dies with him. It is not possible to remain strong forever, nor is it possible to always be right or expert at everything. Therefore kings, being men just like us, need advisers, need generals, need friends, but above all those, they must find wisdom. You have to be able to stand, even against the one who is your strength, when he is wrong. This is at all places, in every venue, whether it take you to commendation or to the lion's den, whether the king's table or his furnace, let God be glorified above mere men. What happened in the house of Eli that he did not oppose his sons? What has happened in the church today, that it no longer stands for the words that God has spoken? Rome stood above the Bible in her heart, now the parishioner's itching ears stands above the message. Preachers measure out what is to be said by the response that they get, how many seats are left empty, how many dollars are in the coffers. Everyone has forsaken the whole counsel of God for the wisdom of man, an ever changing, topical, feel good, 12 step, prosperity driven nothing. Take a nap Ish-bosheth, it will look better on its own.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2: 8

Baanah and Rechab both worked for Ish-bosheth as part of his military, as raiders, so it would not be unusual to find them at his house. The wisdom they employ is an earthly one, survival of the fittest, to which their present king does not seem all that fit. He lacks the great dog of Abner at his door, and so those who respect power and pedal fear, are not afraid to cross the line they cannot see. This sort of loyalty that can pass so quickly from one hand to the next, kissing one ring tonight and another in the morning, is no loyalty at all. They are not bound by conscience, fear of God, Who alone is worth fearing, and they are looking to establish themselves in the next kingdom. They read the writing on the wall, but don't know how to interpret it. Abner has gone away, this king is a wreck, everyone already knew that David was chosen, so now if I take up that flag, say that it is in the name of God, then this shall justify my crusade. David will be happy, the one who would not kill Saul himself will reward me for murdering his son upon his bed. David replies somewhat differently to those who claim to have done this for his honor and in the name of the Lord. He reminds them of the one who brought him Saul's effects, and how he rewarded him. He calls Ish-bosheth a righteous man, not knowing for sure why he took the throne, but it can easily be considered that he was coerced. He is not righteous in his zeal for the Lord for sure, but that he was in no way a danger to these men, and they assassinated him. He was asleep, and without blame in his death, and they are without right, guilty men, who would have gladly stayed and served whoever was the stronger. They had no concern of right or wrong beyond what was in their own eyes. We must be careful not to take the Lord's name in vane, not to set aside good, even to those who we suspect but are not sure of ill intention, and no, not even to those we are certain of ill. Do not return evil for evil, if thine enemy hunger feed him, if he thirst give him drink. It is God that repays, and it is God who has given the sword to government and not in vane, so David repays these men for their deeds. Their hands were quick to shed blood, though David has tried to avoid such a way to the throne. Their feet were fast to bring them to their own destruction, and their mouths were filled with abominations. Depart from me, I never knew you. God, let me be so much slower to speak than I am, let me pray so much more than I talk. Give me wisdom, and let my words not be cruel or unjust. Do not let the desire for peace remove my courage to stand for the truth. Help me wrestle down every thought, so I may bring that to you. Open the eyes of those that I have called friends, for every man looks now like my enemy, but let me love then my enemies, as You have loved me. Please let us be like Your Son, not like those who would only claim His name, but refuse to take up their cross. 

 

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5: 11-14

Sometimes David seems very wise and able to distinguish friend or foe, but not all the time. He does not always employ such wisdom, and Ish-bosheth also seems to have set aside the law of God given unto kings. The king must be of God's choosing, and this seemed more like Abner's doing for gain, and Ish-bosheth's for listening to other than what God said. It is easy to be lead astray by flattery, to grow accustom to luxury, leisure and all the temptations and noise that pull us away from what has already been said. He could have stepped aside, saved himself and his house, by just accepting the one who God had chosen. 

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#445 The Joab Mafia

There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.

2 And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

6 While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?” 8 Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog's head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. 9 God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the Lord has sworn to him, 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” 11 And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.

12 And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf,[a] saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” 13 And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15 And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.

17 And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. 18 Now then bring it about, for the Lord has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19 Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do.

20 When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.

22 Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” 24 Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? 25 You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”
Joab Murders Abner

26 When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27 And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28 Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner

31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. 32 They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33 And the king lamented for Abner, saying,


“Should Abner die as a fool dies?
34 Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not fettered;
as one falls before the wicked
you have fallen.”

And all the people wept again over him. 35 Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” 36 And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. 38 And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” 2 Samuel 3 ESV

We see the house of David growing stronger, but we have also seen David learn from past mistakes and seek the word of God, His direction. It is sad that he who has so much going in his favor, who wrote "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path," has neither learned from the trials of those who have gone before him nor reigned in his own lust. Six wives, a sign of  greatness among the pagan kings, but not the humble nor sober thinking of one whose delight is in the law of the Lord. It is always a mess and compounded every time. I find it difficult to believe that the writer of Psalms was not also the reader of the law, how is it that he became a hearer only. 

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” 15 be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. 16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. Deuteronomy 17: 14-20

On the other side of this soap opera, for where there is man there is drama, we see Abner accused of going in to Saul's concubine. Now this may seem a light thing in our day, but I think it would have been seen here, even though the king was dead, as a play or disrespect to his thrown. Abner's response does not deny it, but is rather telling of his character. He is more offended that this puppet king should confront him, that anyone dare question him, do you know who I am? He admits that David is God's choice, but that he has chosen to love the house that was not, and is now switching his allegiance. We should always pray for the brother and or friend who has gone astray, as we all do in some form or another, and are quickened not from but unto life, so we should recall as we pray. David respects Abner as a fellow warrior, an Israelite, and we should always desire to be reconciled to those who once walked with us, who called themselves God's children, but not at the cost of God's truth. I think Abner knows that David should be king, but it is not for sake of righteousness or in true repentance, but that he is offended and would like revenge. He has held on for power, but it is becoming less popular and more costly a choice. 

I think it is a mistake unless it is just left out, but it does not seem prudent in such a case to enter a covenant with Abner without consulting God. David agrees but on the condition that his rightful wife is returned. Saul had given her to another, though what God has brought together no man should take apart. It is to the carnal mind a line of claim, a son, though not of birth, but by marriage. Saul would not only have that cut off, but also lift his leg to piss in such a manner on the one who God chose to replace him. It was a huge disrespect, and David will have his wife back, for he did not die nor did he give her away, but she was stolen from him. Her new husband follows her crying, but he entered into that which was such an unholy union, regardless of his feelings or how much out of pocket, it was not to be considered. We take fire to our chest, are burned as to be expected, and yet cry because that which could have been avoided still hurts. Our tears, as real as they may be, are quickly replaced by anger towards the one who points out the folly of our way. I have watched a dozen men cry about women who are not their wives, disrespect their own wife, shrug at her tears, but then wonder at how much a jerk I am that I can still suggest that they are wrong. "Go, return." 

David treats Abner well, Abner has been good to his word and pleads the case of David's throne to his people. You wanted David before, he is God's choice, so what are you waiting for? They leave on good terms, but Joab returns and finding that his enemy has been there, yet has now gone, he is enraged. He has longed for this and paints a picture of Abner as a spy and a deceiver, yet it is he who entreats Abner to meet outside the sanctuary city. He stabs him, avenging his brother's blood, but that blood that was first spilt was in self defense and also in battle. He does this as a wicked student of the law, abusing an outward knowledge, with no inner integrity. Abner is under the king's grace, and David distances himself from the act, for it was not his desire nor his command. Now we will stink, and we will seem like the Godless, ruling by way of murder and deceit. It was not his desire to make his enemy comfortable toward the kill, but rather be reconciled with a great general of Israel. Though David is strong here in his words, he is soft in his treatment. Joab and his brother are much more severe in their dealings. 

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#444 Take a Moment

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

2 So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

3 And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

6 And now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

8 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;

9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.

10 Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.

11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

12 And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.

13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.

14 And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

15 Then there arose and went over by number twelve of Benjamin, which pertained to Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

16 And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkathhazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

17 And there was a very sore battle that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

18 And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

19 And Asahel pursued after Abner; and in going he turned not to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner.

20 Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am.

21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.

22 And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

23 Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.

24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

25 And the children of Benjamin gathered themselves together after Abner, and became one troop, and stood on the top of an hill.

26 Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?

27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.

28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.

29 And Abner and his men walked all that night through the plain, and passed over Jordan, and went through all Bithron, and they came to Mahanaim.

30 And Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.

31 But the servants of David had smitten of Benjamin, and of Abner's men, so that three hundred and threescore men died.

32 And they took up Asahel, and buried him in the sepulchre of his father, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at break of day. 2 Samuel 2 KJV

David is still very slow moving into his new position, as men should be slow to speak and measure themselves honestly. It was promised to him, like Israel to Abraham's seed, but God does not put forth dates with men, rather He provides and proves their faith. He has taught his hands for war, has put him in the courts to know the practicalities of his position, and now he is anointed king over Judah. Judah does not choose for the rest, but as for their house they will follow the Lord's anointed. David will lead this tribe but not on an unlit path. 

He thanks the men who have tried to remove the shame of Israel, who have covered a multitude of sins. Jabesh Gilead did not forget when Saul was kind and they returned such kindness in his burial. David ask God's blessing on them, and not only will he make words, but will look for such opportunity to strengthen them himself, for faith without works is dead. 

David is also slow to war, but Abner has anointed one of Saul's sons as king, in defiance of David's anointing. The more after God's heart a man will be, the less desirable he is to his neighbor. Abner enjoys position, power, and riches that come with his place in Saul's kingdom. Though Saul is dead, Abner sees no reason to have such end, and will embrace the customs of the kings of the uncircumcised. He will anoint the hereditary crown, for this is his bread and his butter. It is a weak faith, a false gospel, that is fluid to the wants and wills of it's followers. God said this, but that shall be the end to what I think is better, I shall lose my self and my glorious pedestal. Well by all means then, make the gospel more acceptable, call yourself an Israelite in word, but forego the deed. Don't embrace anything that would make you low, take away your position, cause you to step down. So now Abner will test his strength, since David will only stand, he probably comes to see him as weak for not imposing his own will, for waiting upon the Lord. Abner is the one who has defied God, but is willing to test and disturb the waters a little more. Let's have a bit of a contest, some sport, this will not only be a possible indication of things to come, but it will also be entertaining. If the end of it is death though, how is it that we can so easily tread into such arenas? I understand that we live in a fallen world, that because of this there is war, the necessity of government to protect it's people and even the need of self defense. These things have to be practiced at and most certainly those test of such arts will arise in the arena, but how gross a matter is it that it is agreed upon by those who rule and they who would entertain, that it should be here to the death? It is a tie, so how shall we read this, that their are no winners? A battle breaks out to which Israel takes the greater loss, and as Abner retreats, he is followed by one of Joab's brothers. Asahel is like a gazelle, but we know that the battle is not always to the swift or the strong. Abner respects his name and ask that he turn aside, either for fear of Joab or respect to his brother's position, a professional courtesy. Asahel will not be dissuade, his eye is on the prize, but his eyes may be a bit bigger than his stomach. I am a fan of mixed martial arts, and in the eyes of the judges, they often perceive the one moving forward as the one who is winning, but sometimes that's a trap. It is the style of some to counter, to fade back, to use your momentum against you. Asahel is probably feeling good about his position, like Achilles' cousin in Achilles' armor. I am on the side of God's anointed, I know his name, my pedigree is a good one, like seven sons of Sceva though, Paul I know and Jesus I know, but who are you? His heart is set on this trophy, but his speed, his inability to measure himself and his opponent, to know that he is outclassed, he sees the sharp end of the stick and is only prepared for that. It is the lesser, blunt side of the spear, that trades places in this business. He is dead, and everyone that comes to him seems in awe of the fact, like this should not be. How is it? His brothers go hard after Abner. Now this all culminates at a hill, maybe in thinking that this is an advantage, that of the higher ground, maybe exhaustion, but here they stand. Now Abner, who earlier was so quick to shed blood, to sacrifice the lives of his men for sport or to prove a point, has seen the light. It is his own head now, he measures blood a precious thing and does this not call back upon the time of Benjamin when all Israel came to mourn over the sin and then the sinner. He that started it does not want the bitterness of it's end, he is not willing to see it through, not now that it is no longer in his favor. Joab has learned well from David here, and though he is not the instigator, and he would like to avenge his brother, he waits. He blows the horn and they cease from chasing. David does not want to destroy Israel, so he will gradually come to rule in stages. The tares will go on till the harvest. 

The good commentator, Henry, does note here in the end, that men are not always treated equally here in life, even to the dust of Asahel. Some men's lives were of much lesser value to Joab, and they were given to the idol of a very bloody sport, but Asahel was buried in honor. It will not be that way in the kingdom of heaven, for the last shall be first and the first shall be last. 

And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all[d] of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Acts 19: 11-20

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#443 High Places

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?

15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord's anointed.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 2 Samuel 1 KJV

David has had more than one opportunity to kill Saul, but he refuses to touch God's anointed. Now comes news back from the battle, and David is home from his own battle, saving his house from those Saul let live. The man bears proof in his hands of Saul's state, he hopes to gain favor now from the next in line, and so he spins a tale that in his mind makes him a hero, but whether true in it's details or not, it becomes his indictment. David's reaction is not what he expected, he rents his clothes, he weeps, as men should grieve over sin, because it's common to all men. He, who made himself my enemy, now sleeps, he who carried himself against God in his pride, he who God made king is dead by the hands of those he spared. Notice, he pleaded with Saul in life, rebuked him by his own actions and peaceful words, was broken over Saul's sin on his behalf, and here in his death he mourns. This is your chance, son of Jesse, take the throne, throw yourself off the temple and the angels will catch you. What did Jesus teach us, I only do what I see the Father doing. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. David already received the promise and the anointing; he need not rush or make his own way, only trust and do what God said. Take the time of your waiting and the time of peace, in the eye of the hurricane, read and pray. When the wind is not so loud speak softly in your heart, so that you are later prepared to raise your voice above the storm. This is not the celebration out the bottom of the mount, let there be no golden calf, instead repent and be saved for the kingdom is at hand. Fasting and mourning his predecessor, David comes out of this at even, slow to speak was he, but now fast and determined in his wrath. "How were you not afraid to touch the Lord's anointed?" He directed one of his men to execute the witness, and some may cry, don't kill the messenger, he only said what he saw. Shouldn't David be happy? No, he must rectify the things that the past administration did wrong, and hold up that which was good. The man's blood is upon his own head, for he claimed to have killed God's anointed, whether by the word of the king or if all a lie, he claimed to have raised his hand against God, for Saul and all else belongs to Him. 

He also bid them teach the children the use of the bow, for this is how it is recorded that the mighty have fallen. The jackal above only swept in upon the meat of another's kill, he was a scavenger. Learn the bow, prepare the army, he is now employing the role of government, fix the breaches, provide for the common defense. The sling was great against goliath, it held it's place in high regard, for God will often make use of the foolish and the base to confound the strong and the wise, but now learn the bow, we are able to have it so protect yourselves and your country accordingly. 

The beauty of Israel is slain, those who God has lifted up are now fallen, and those we thought much of are pierced through, should we not lament? He calls them mighty and does not raise any argument against the dead, but is still fixed upon the honor of truth, "do not brag about it in Gath", he laments what they shall say against the God of Israel. 

Let there be no dew upon the mountain, take away the glory of the grasses, the fruit, say to this fig tree you are cursed, for a tree is known by it's fruit. David would have this be a place of sorrow, of desolation, not of honor. How could God's anointed, His chosen people come to such a place?

Remember the good things they had done. The sword of Saul had often gone out on behalf of Israel, the bow of Jonathan had brought down many. They were beautiful, God had made them both swift and mighty, strong before Israel. 

Don't be so fickle now, your protector and provider is dead, the cause of your peace is gone, your champion has fallen. Don't aim for the sun in your heart, thinking that you are not like Icarus, that somehow you would bear the weight of the crown and not melt in the heat of praise, the flattery of broken records. 

Oh how I cried some chapters back, that I had never had a friend like Jonathan, but now I mourn that I have never been a friend like Jonathan. His love was better than the crown. His love was pure in not despising the crown or whence it came. His love was better than a woman's for it was not born of passion, could not be confused for lust, the beauty of his head was his heart, that he feared God and loved him who God had chosen. This should be your rival, are you not understanding of earthly things? How has he become the friend of your soul? For those that say, well Jonathan was not brave enough or strong enough to the throne, this is he who chased a thousand. "Behold I stand at the door and knock." If you can't see it I am going to help you understand at least the why. You must be born again. God, please let me reflect the heart and light of Your Son in my friendships, my marriage, my going out and coming in, let me be a true friend that answers with what you have said, and loves unconditionally. You have the thrown of my heart, do not let me think otherwise. 

 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:


These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3: 14-22

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