4:6 - Ish-bosheth's own captains use dishonesty, a lack of integrity and violence to try to win David's favor. They kill their former master and take his head to David looking for a reward. What they do not understand is that David has been anointed the king of Israel by the power of God...not through the strength of men. This is not a Canaanite kingdom where violence and intermarriage get you the throne...God is the giver of the throne in Israel...David's throne is divinely given and does not need to be won through shameless murder.
4:11 - David again shows his innocence of blood guilt by raining justice down on violent men who would murder a man in his sleep. He tells them, "If I killed a guy for putting Saul out of his misery - how much more am I going to destroy a couple of guys who will kill an innocent man in his own bed?" David wants to make certain that he is attaining the throne honorably in the eyes of God. It is also interesting to note, that though these men acted evilly, God uses their actions to bring about David's ascent to the throne. God is able to use all choice - good, evil and indifferent - for the purposes of his kingdom. (Ish-Bosheth is dead...Mephibosheth is crippled...so David now has a clear path to the throne).
5:6 - Here we see an prime example of ancient smack talk. The Jedusites basically say, "Ha! Look at those Israelites...even a bunch of lame and blind guys could hold this fortress from their army!"
5:8-9 - Apparently (Although it is kinda unclear in the Hebrew), David devises a plan in which his men climb up through a water shaft and capture the city from the inside. He then answers with his own ancient smack talk retort saying, "All Jebusites must be blind and lame!" Oooo, he told you guys!
5:19 - Are you starting to get the message? David, the man after God's heart, never acts without getting God's blessing (Until later in life when he ignores God and really starts screwing things up, but I digress). Does this kind of spirit and faithful attitude pervade your life?
6:2 - The author throws down quite an impressive title for the ark - "The Ark of God: Which Is Called By The Name Of The Lord Of Hosts Who Sits Enthroned On The Cherubim." Wow! Even the acronym is impossible to remember - "The A.O.G.W.I.C.B.T.N.O.T.L.O.H.W.S.E."...say that fast! The author makes sure he lays the official title out because he wants us to understand how huge this moment is. After years of neglect by the hand of Saul...the ark of the Lord...the very presence of God (In the minds of the Israelites) will finally be returned to a seat of power and honor. This is a significant moment for David - the Lord is with him and a new era has begun.
6:6 - The dude tries to save the ark from falling and he gets killed foe it? That seems a little unfair! Even David thinks so - he gets mad. What is the deal? Well, David can get mad all he wants, but he is partially to blame for this debacle. This is not the way the ark is supposed to be transported. They throw it up on the back of a cart! God clearly instructs them in the Law that the ark is supposed to be transported by Levite priest carrying it on wooden poles. So the ark is in a cart, being pulled by oxen and a problem occurs (Shocker!)...though Uzzah means well, he is representative of the immaturity of the Israelite nation. He does not understand the holiness of God...he presumes to much...he dares to touch the ark of the covenant. Israel must be reminded of the holiness of the Lord their God and Uzzah's ignorance brings judgement on his life. We could probably stand some reminders ourselves on the holiness of God!
6:9 - David is not only angry, but he is scared. After being reminded of the holiness of God - he does not think he is worthy of being in the presence of the ark and he leaves it in Obed-edom. Have you ever doubted yourself as a usable player in God's kingdom? You are in good company. We see throughout scripture that God frequently uses the least likely candidates to bring honor to his name. Offer yourself to Him...He will take care of the rest.
6:14ff - David is so in-tune with the joy and the power of this moment, as the ark of the Lord returns to Jerusalem, that he absolutely lets himself go...he simply ignores everything around him and worships God.
6:16 - Notice that Michal is described as the daughter of Saul and not as the wife of David. That is important because we can see in this passage that she is a reflection of Saul and his issues. As Saul did before her, she is worried about her image and what people think of herself and her husband. She acts out of arrogance and just like her father before her, despises the close relationship that David has with God. Once again Saul - great legacy you left behind buddy!
6:20-22 - She confronts David in her anger and he rebukes her quickly. He says, "Don't compare me to your father, because God chose me and not your father...you think that was something, I will become even more undignified for the name of my God!" I wish I always had an attitude like this...thinking nothing of what I look like to the rest of the world and worried only about how I can more deeply honor God with my life.
6:23 - Michal is barren for the rest of her life and so the line of Saul is effectively destroyed in the history of Israel, forever.
2 comments:
chapter 4- Loved the intense story. I really like how David keeps his cool and thinks before acting.
2 Samuel 6:8 talks about David being angry because of what the Lord did. I love that David was honest enough in his relationship with God that David was comfortable in letting God know how he felt, no matter what. I feel that we've been taught this lie that God is only worthy of praise and thanksgiving. While that is true, God also wants us to be honest with him, and allows himself to be a God we can vent to. How often do we turn to other things when we are angry? God wants us to be confident in him for anything and everything that's going on in our lives.
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