2 Samuel 2
2 Samuel 2: 1-7 (NIV)
1“In the course of time, David inquired of the of the LORD, “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” ‘To Hebron” the LORD answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah. When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, 5 he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. 6 May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 7 Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.”
In chapter two, we read of bloodshed and battles, but within the first seven verses of this chapter, there are two very “direct “applications to us.
1. Direction: David understands he is God’s anointed one and that God has also promised him the kingdom. He knows as God’s chosen leader; it is essential to follow God’s direction. In verse one, he inquires of the LORD: “Should I go…?” “Where should I go?” Reflecting on our faith journey, have we often acted first and then asked God to bless what we are doing? Or the reverse, how often do we choose to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Uncomfortable questions and uncomfortable answers, for me. How about you?
2 “…The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul…”. The Hebrew word for translated as kindness in English is the Hebrew word chesed. Chesed is kindness that goes beyond everyday kindness. It is an act of mercy and grace that represents the kindness of God, an act which the other person is unable to repay. We find another example of this chesed is in the book of Ruth. When was the last time you extended chesed to someone?
Prayer: Jesus, forgive us when we fail to wait for you to direct our paths and blindly go full speed ahead into what is not your best for us or your kingdom. When we “think,” we know what to do and fail to wait for your blessing and confirmation. Many do not know you today. We have opportunities to offer chesed to your broken and hurting children. Heighten our senses so we can be like Ruth and David, be your hands and feet, and let others see You. In your name, Jesus, we make this request. Amen.
In chapter two we read of bloodshed and battles, but within the first seven verses of this chapter there are two very “direct applications to us.
1. Direction: David understands he is God’s anointed one and that God has also promised him the kingdom. He knows as God’s chosen leader it is essential to follow God’s direction. In verse one he inquires of the LORD: “Should I go…?” “Where should I go?” Reflecting on our faith journey, have often have we acted first and then ask God to bless what we are doing? Or the reverse, how often do we choose to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Uncomfortable questions and uncomfortable answers, for me. How about you?
2. “…The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul…” The Hebrew word for translated as kindness in English is the Hebrew word chesed. Chesed is a kindness which goes beyond everyday kindness. It is an act of mercy and grace that represents the kindness of God, an act which the other person is unable to repay. We find another example of this chesed is in the book of Ruth. When was the last time you extended chesed to someone?
Prayer: Jesus, forgive us when we fail to wait for you to direct our paths, and blindly go full speed ahead into what is not your best for us or your kingdom. When we “think” we know what to do and fail to wait for your blessing and confirmation. There are many who do not know you today. We have opportunities to offer chesed to your broken and hurting children. Heighten our senses so we can be like Ruth and David, to be your hands and feet and to let others see You. In your name, Jesus, we make this request. Amen.