Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Tues.’s Devo - David’s Sons in Hebron

Read: 2 Sam. 2:1-3:5; 23:8-17; 1 Chron. 11: 10-19; 2 Sam. 23:18-39; 1 Chron. 11:20-47
You have to love David; he asks God about everything and God tells him. This is how we should live our lives. Every decision should be brought before him and we should not move till we get his answer. Even after Saul’s death, David was not king of Israel. Abner, Saul’s army commander proclaimed Saul’s son Ishbosheth to be king. Ishbosheth means “man of shame”. He ruled for two years. David became king of Judah and made his capital in Hebron. David’s army commander was Joab. He and Abner had some face-to-face encounters. Joab lost one of his top men along with 19 others but Abner lost 360 men. That was the beginning of the weakening of Saul’s dynasty and the emerging strength of David’s.
We read the names of David’s sons he had while reigning in Hebron, and here are their meanings:
1. Amnon - faithful
2. Daniel - judge
3. Absalom - father is peace
4. Adonijah - my lord is Jehovah
5. Shephatiah - judged of Jehovah
6. Ithream - remnant or the excellent
It is notable that Absalom’s name means “father is peace”. He would try to usurp the kingdom from his father. His mother came from a king whose name means “proud beholder”. Absalom was a type of the antichrist. Satan’s father is God but he chose to let his pride rise up and take him over. He became the opposite of peace. The son who was the rightful heir was Solomon. His name means “peaceableness”. The Devil is the great deceiver. He can look just like God but his heart is evil throughout. We need to have discernment to know the difference.
Lord, help us to be like Ithream who stood for the remnant. May we be excellent in everything we do. May we seek your direction and wisdom in our lives.

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