Fri.’s Devo - David is King in Hebron

Read: 2 Sam. 5:1-10, 1 Chr. 11-12
David is finally anointed king! He has waited for this word to be made manifest for years and it is finally here. David is the same age that Jesus was when he began his ministry. But, as soon as David is come to his destiny, the enemy rises up to meet him. The Jebusites (“they shall trample down”) occupy Jerusalem and David wants it for his city. Jerusalem was on a high hill that had such steep embankments that the Jebusites put their blind and lame to guard the gate. In doing this they were making fun of David because they felt so secure in their city even the blind and lame could guard them against David’s men. David was not intimidated in the least and took the city. He make the statement, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” Sounds mean and not compassionate but David was very compassionate towards the lame. He later had Mephibosheth who was lame come and daily eat at his table. So he was only talking about the Jebusite’s blind and lame. As a type of Jesus, David was making a statement about spiritual Jerusalem. No lame or blind will enter that city!
David had three distinguished warriors known as his “three mighty men”. There names meant “people will return”, “God is helper”, and “father of a gift”. What a prophecy for Jerusalem when Jesus sets up his kingdom there. God is already bringing people back to him. He will help them by his gift, the Holy Spirit.
It is also interesting to note that in the list of David’s great warriors, Uriah the Hittite (vs. 41) is mentioned. This is Bathsheba’s husband. David will have him later killed so he can be guiltless of fathering a child with Uriah’s wife.
Our reading ends with “there was joy in Israel”. There is always joy when Jesus is reigning!
Lord, may there be joy in our hearts today.