Tues.’s Devo - David is Anointed King of Israel

Read: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32 Two brothers named Baanah and Recab had been part of Ishbosheth’s army. When they found out that Abner their commander had been killed, they were fearful for their own lives so they devised a plan to get ahead. They went to Ishbosheth’s house and snuck in and killed him. They brought his head to David thinking they would get a big reward and be promoted. David did not look favorably on those who took matters into their own hands especially when it came to leaders that God had anointed. David had them both killed. Jonathan had a son named Mehibosheth who had become crippled at the age of five when his nurse heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. She had fled with Mephibosheth in her arms, tripped and dropped him which caused him to become crippled. We will read more about him later. The leaders of the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and anointed him king of Israel. David was thirty, the same age Jesus was when he went into his public ministry. He ruled over Judah for thirty-three years, the same age Jesus was when he died. David led him men against the Jebusites who owned the land around Jerusalem. They taunted that David would never be able to conquer them but God led David to victory over them. He made their land his home and called it the City of David. It had been the fortress of Zion which means “parched place”. Now it was the city of the beloved. King Hiram of Tyre sent him cedar and carpenters to build his palace. In Jerusalem, David married more wives and concubines and had ten sons there. When the Philistines found out David had been crowned king, they came to attack. Twice they attacked and both times God led David in victory. Once, David’s land was secure from his enemies, he wanted to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. They placed the Ark on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house. Abinadab’s two sons walked with the cart and when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah stuck out his hand to stabilize the Ark. God struck him dead right there. David was so upset he left the Ark there in Obed-edom’s house. God blessed Obed-edom greatly while the Ark was there. When David heard this, he decided to read about how to move the Ark. He had the priest use the poles to carry it on their shoulders and they brought the Ark into Jerusalem. David was so happy he danced before the Ark offering sacrifices every 6 steps. David’s wife, Michal watched from the palace window and thought David looked like a fool dancing in linen without the distinguishing robe of a king. She told him so when he got home and David let her have it. He told her that he was dancing before the Lord who had chosen him to lead Israel over her father Saul. He would make himself even more undignified than this to praise the Lord and the servants she thought he had disgraced himself in front of would think he was distinguished. Michal was barren her whole life because of this. In John, Jesus waited till Judas left to give them a new commandment. Before he had told them to love the Lord with all their heart and to love others as they wanted them to be loved. Now he gave them a new commandment to love others as he had loved them. He had set the example. He was about to lay down his life for them and he wanted them to have this same love for the world. He was entering into his glory and they would not be able to follow just yet. Peter thought he was ready to follow Jesus into death but Jesus said he wouldn’t even make it through the night without denying him three times. They had much suffering to face themselves before they were ready to follow Jesus into the eternal life. He encouraged them that they would do even greater works than he did because he was leaving. He also encouraged them to ask anything in his name. Lord, help us to realize our promises. We will one day do greater works than Jesus did. I believe that day is coming soon. Lord, may we be prepared to love others as you have loved us and courageously follow you into death.