Read 2 Samuel 3:1-39; 5:1-5; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3

Unity Under David

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” Those words are attributed to the fifteenth-century monk and poet John Lydgate. And there is truth in it. Even if you do everything right, there will be someone who thinks you should have done something better.

In the transition from Saul’s kingdom to David’s, there was division. Saul’s son Ishbosheth assumed the throne and reigned for a short time in Benjamin, while David reigned over Judah from Hebron. For seven and a half years, the kingdom was divided until a dispute between Ishbosheth and Abner.

Abner tried to switch sides, but Joab refused to trust him and decided to murder him. David’s reaction won the respect of many. “And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, ‘God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!’ Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people” (2 Sam. 3:35-36).

They proclaimed, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel’” (2 Samuel 5:1-2). After seven and a half years of reigning over Judah in Hebron, he was anointed king over all Israel and began to rule from Jerusalem, “according to the word of the Lord by Samuel” (1 Chronicles 11:3).

Was David’s reign perfect and without incident? Did he always have the support of all the people? Sadly, no. David was human and failed at times. He sinned and brought harm upon the nation and upon his family. But here for a moment, Israel was united under one king, and “whatever the king did pleased all the people.”

The King we serve today is none other than Jesus Christ. Sadly, there are people who are not pleased with Him. They want to do things their way and ignore His authority. If we serve Him and follow the will revealed by inspiration, we can enjoy unity in the kingdom—His church—today. Are you pleased with your King?

Read 2 Samuel 2:1-11

Inquiring of the Lord

After learning of Saul’s death, David consulted God on his next steps. He asked, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” and, “Where shall I go up?” (2 Samuel 2:1). Previously, David asked regarding the Amalekites who had invaded Ziklag and captured David’s family, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” (1 Samuel 30:8). David came to recognize the wisdom in asking God how to proceed when it came to an important decision. We do not see that wisdom recorded in his flight to Achish at Gath; such actions put him in a precarious situation now that Saul was dead.

Because of his alliance with the Philistines, many Israelites did not trust David, thus he was not immediately crowned king over all Israel. “Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. Only the house of Judah followed David” (2 Samuel 3:10).

How important is it to inquire of the Lord? When we have important decisions to make today, we should weigh all of our options. Look at the positives and negatives of all aspects. Do not act too hastily. Ask for wisdom from God. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

God will not speak to us in the same way today as He spoke to David. There is no voice whispering in our ear regarding the path God wants us to take. We must use the common sense He has granted us and consider as many variables as possible when making a big decision. Perhaps we are considering a move to another city. We should research the spiritual climate and find out if there is a sound congregation with which to worship and serve. Certainly, we need to think about family and financial situations.

Don’t leave God out of the decision-making process. Paul said, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). David learned a valuable lesson the hard way when he failed to inquire of the Lord. He made rash decisions that delayed his ascension to lead all Israel. May we be patient in our decisions, inquiring of the Lord and using the tools with which He has blessed us to make wise choices.

Read 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Our Attitude When Our Enemy Falls

The last chapter of 1 Samuel is the inspired account of the death of Saul and Jonathan; the first chapter of 2 Samuel begins with an Amalekite’s dishonest report of how Saul perished. Thinking he would receive a reward for bringing good news to Saul’s perceived enemy (2 Samuel 4:10), he instead was met with the end of his own life.

David shows in his lamentation for Saul that he was no enemy; he truly grieved for the fallen king. This lamentation also included David’s thoughts concerning his close friend, Jonathan, the king’s son. Three times, the line is repeated: “How the mighty have fallen!” Saul’s shortcomings and sins are not recounted here. David’s focus is upon Saul as “the Lord’s anointed” (2 Samuel 1:14-16).

“Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon—lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” (2 Samuel 1:20). Those who were enemies of God’s chosen people would have expressed great joy in the news of Saul’s death. David did not want this to be an occasion for joy for his foes.

Children of God are expected to behave better. “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him” (Proverbs 24:17-18). The International Critical Commentary concludes, “The implication of the passage is that God might be more concerned with punishing his disobedient follower than that of the outright wicked.” Indeed, we should know better, while the unbeliever perhaps acts in ignorance.

Jesus explains how we should treat our enemy and why. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:44-46).

Rather than joy at the downfall of our adversaries, perhaps we should experience a pang of regret that we did not make a greater effort to bring them to repentance so that they may stand justified in the sight of the Lord (James 5:19-20).

Read 1 Samuel 30

Sharing God’s Blessings

While David and his men were away, their families were attacked and taken as captives in Ziklag. Upon David’s return to the city, they experienced great anguish over this situation. “Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4). Have you ever faced that level of grief?

When we suffer greatly, we are generally either motivated to go above and beyond to better our situation or our energy becomes so depleted we don’t feel like moving. We see both responses in David’s camp. After inquiring of the Lord and being told by God that David could indeed recover their losses, only two-thirds of the company was able to pursue with David. “But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not ross the Brook Besor” (1 Samuel 30:10).

Not surprisingly, when the four hundred men with David came home with their spoils, some didn’t want to share with those who had stayed behind. In fact, “the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart’” (1 Samuel 30:22).

This was in direct contradiction to God’s established practices, and David knew it. In Moses’ day, when Moses was commanded by God to “take vengeance on the Midianites” (Numbers 31:1), he was instructed to “divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation” (Numbers 31:27). Those who remained at home were not to be excluded.

David rejected the proposal of “the wicked and worthless men” and said, “But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24). They had all already suffered greatly at the hands of the Amalekites; they should not suffer at the hands of their own brethren.

When we suffer, are we motivated to do better? Or do we become so discouraged we don’t want to move? And when our suffering subsides, do we recognize God’s hand in our blessings and refuse to bless others?

Read 1 Samuel 28

Repeated Warnings

How many times do you have to be told something before you believe it? Quite some time had passed since Samuel told Saul, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you” (1 Samuel 15:28). Saul witnessed the rise to popularity enjoyed by David, and believed that this young man would take his throne. And yet, when he was faced with the threat of the Philistine army, Saul’s “heart trembled greatly” and he “inquired of the LORD” (1 Samuel 28:5-6). Yet, this time, “the LORD did not answer him” (1 Samuel 28:6).

Should Saul have been surprised? He knew that the kingdom was no longer in his control (nor was it every, really). God was the one who would exalt the righteous and God was the one who would punish the wicked. As Saul had disobeyed and rebelled, he faced the wrath of God.

Still, Saul sought out the word of God from the deceased Samuel via the medium in En Dor. The witch was surprised that she was able to conjure the spirit of Samuel because her entire practice was built on deception; she had no actual power to summon the dead. There is a strong message for readers today: witchcraft is imaginary. Do not believe the fortune tellers or psychics who pretend to receive communication from those beyond the grave.

Saul told Samuel his dilemma, but Samuel responded, “So why do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy?” (1 Samuel 28:16).

Had God left king Saul? Yes, but only because Saul had evicted Him from his heart. God watches over and blesses the faithful; Saul had proven on multiple occasions that he was not interested in what God had to say. He wanted to reign over the kingdom his own way and take matters into his own hands, even if that meant defying God in heaven.

Saul was repeatedly warned about his sinful actions; Saul had repeatedly ignored those warnings. There comes a time when God says, “Enough is enough!” Saul had tested His patience for far too long and it was time for Israel to experience a change in regimes.

Read 1 Samuel 25

Do The Right Thing

Have you ever been with a group of people that want to participate in some activity, or behave a particular way, that you know goes against God’s will? What do you do when you find yourself in such a situation?

Abigail was married to a man who was boorish, rude, and selfish. David’s company protected the herdsmen of Nabal, Abigail’s husband, while they were shearing the sheep in Carmel. David sent messengers to Nabal, informing him of their safety and requesting sustenance in return. They were to say to Nabal, “Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David” (1 Samuel 25:6-8).

Nabal scoffed at these men and refused their request. David decides to retaliate against Nabal with force, but when Nabal’s wife Abigail heard what had happened, she hastened to intercept David. Without Nabal’s knowledge, she greeted David with food for his group. She recognized her husband’s error, calling him a scoundrel and saying to David, “Nabal is his name, and folly is with him!” (1 Samuel 25:25).

Abigail interceded on behalf of her uncouth husband, and David turned away from his evil plan. Even though Nabal likely would have opposed and perhaps even prevented her actions, Abigail did the right thing. She showed kindness to David, and David in turn blessed her. A short time later, “the Lord struck Nabal, and he died” (1 Samuel 25:38). When David heard of his death, he proposed to Abigail, and she became his wife.

When we do the right thing, blessings will come. It may not come as quickly as Abigail experienced, but God will bless those who are kind and merciful to others. In every instance, we should do the right thing—even if those closest to us won’t.

Read 1 Samuel 24

Overcome Evil With Good

The New Testament gives us many principles by which we should live. Paul wrote in Romans 12:17-21, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

These are wise words and pure principles, but surely no one expects us to actually live by them, do they? There are no examples of these words in action, are there? When one examines the life of David, we see a brilliant example of these inspired commands. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

King Saul is in hot pursuit of his rival, David, the son of Jesse. David and his men run to the Wilderness of En Gedi, on the Rocks of the Wild Goats, hiding out in a cave. Saul enters the cave to relieve himself, not realizing David is in the cave. The men encourage David to claim his victory over Saul, saying, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you’” (1 Samuel 24:4). But David refused to take the king’s life, saying, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord” (1 Samuel 24:6).

Instead, he cut off a piece of Saul’s robe and later confronts him, asking his father-in-law why he set on killing him. He shows Saul the corner of his robe that he had cut off, proving that he had the opportunity to kill the king but refused to take it.

If this is not an example of heaping coals of fire on the head of your enemy through kindness, what is? How did Saul respond? He said, “Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day” (1 Samuel 24:19).

The next time you have the opportunity to do something good for an enemy in this life, take it!

Read 1 Samuel 21:1-9

Situation Ethics

There are certain things that are right and certain things that are wrong. But are those things flexible, depending on the situation? The validity of the concept of “situation ethics” has been hotly debated for centuries. Can we “bend the rules” if it serves a greater purpose?

There are a number of incidents recorded in the Bible to which people turn to justify the idea of situation ethics. One popular example is Rahab the prostitute. She lied, but in that particular situation was it right to do so? Is it ever wrong to tell the truth?

Another example is David when he comes to Nob and asked the priest Ahimelech for bread. The priest answered, “There is no common bread on hand; but there is holy bread, if the young men have at least kept themselves from women” (1 Samuel 21:4). David took the bread, even though such was in violation of God’s law. That bread was for the priests: “And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him from the offerings of the Lord made by fire, by a perpetual statute” (Leviticus 24:9).

Was David justified in his action? Did his situation change the ethics of eating the bread set aside for priests, and priests alone? The Pharisees of the first century evidently thought so, and Jesus challenged them to rethink their position. They had charged His disciples with Sabbath-breaking (when they had not broken any Sabbath laws), but excused David’s actions (though he had clearly violated God’s command).

J.W. McGarvey wrote that “it can not be said that he who refused to turn stones into bread when tortured by a forty days’ fast, and who said, ‘Whosoever shall break one of these least commandments, and teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven,’ would approve such a violation of law as David was guilty of. Neither can it be that he allowed his own disciples while under the law to break the Sabbath. If Christians may violate law when its observance would involve hardship or suffering, then there is an end of suffering for the name of Christ, and an end even of self-denial” (Commentary on Matthew and Mark, p. 104). Jesus does not excuse David; we must be careful that we do not excuse ourselves of sin. Situation ethics was a faulty concept then and continues to be today.