Wed.’s Devo - Two Kingdoms

Read: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28
First Samuel was the story of Saul and his kingship but Second Samuel was the story of David’s kingship. Saul’s kingship lasted his lifetime but David’s covenant was eternal. Jesus would be a part of David’s kingdom.
Saul died in a battle with the Philistines and lost everything when at the same time David won a battle with the Amelekites and got back everything. On the third day, after Saul’s battle, David met an Amelekite who thought he would use David to get some kind of reward. He lied and said he had killed Saul and brought David, Saul’s crown and his arm band. Instead of a reward, it costs him his life. David carried no offense in his heart toward Saul. This is amazing since Saul had repaid David’s loyalty with distrust and attempts to kill him. David walked in forgiveness which is not easy to do. David wrote a lament and sung it in honor of Saul and Jonathan and all Israel and Judah mourned their deaths.
David asked God what he should do next and God said to go to Hebron. David and his men were well loved in the land of Judah since they had been fighting their enemies and keeping them safe all the years they lived in the land of the Philistines. David had also shared his winnings with the people of Judah. So he went to Hebron where they proclaimed him their king. In the meantime Abner, Saul’s army commander went back to Israel and proclaimed Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son, king of Israel. Ish-Basheth means “man of shame”.
In John, Jesus and his disciples were in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover but Jesus was not appearing in public. Some of the Greek-speaking Jews recognized Philip as Jesus’ disciple and asked him if they could talk to Jesus. Philip gave Jesus the message and Jesus knew it was time to come out of hiding. He made the statement that a grain of wheat had to die in order to multiply. He was speaking of his own death which the disciples would get once he died.
When Jesus met with the crowd, he prayed aloud for God to save him from this hour. Then he said that it was this hour that he was born for, so he changed his prayer to “glorify your name”. God spoke out loud and said, “I have glorified it before, and I will glorify it again!” All heard the voice but some only heard it as thunder. Others heard it distinctly. We hear according to how spiritually tuned our ears are.
Jesus explained to them that the voice was for their sake and it was time for the world to be judged and the ruler of the world to be expelled. He was speaking of Satan. He was cast out at Jesus death so we don’t need to see him as anything to fear. He is an imposter claiming to have power when he is actually our servant.
Many believed that Jesus was the light sent from heaven to earth; God’s son. Others couldn’t see because their was no light in their eyes to see. To reject Jesus was to reject God.
Lord, help us to see clearly and believe with pure hearts. Help us not to carry any unforgiveness or resentment in our hearts.