Wed.’s Devo - The Kingdom is United

Read: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32 Jonathan had another son who had been five when Saul was killed. He was whisked away so quickly by his nurse that she accidentally dropped him in flight. He had been cripple ever since. His name was Mephibosheth. *** Now, all Israel was in an uproar as they learned of Abner’s murder. Two men from Ishbosheth’s raiding party learned of their captain’s death. and worried about their own fate. They snuck into Ishbosheth’s room and killed him. They cut off his head and took it to David expecting a reward and a promotion in his army. David killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies beside the pool in Hebron. David had no sympathy on anyone who turned on their leader. *** At Hebron, David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel and they anointed him king of Israel. He was thirty years old, the same age of Jesus when he came to his public ministry. *** David attacked the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem and captured the city. He reigned in Jerusalem 33 years which was the age of Jesus when he gave his life for us. David had many wives and they had 11 children born in Jerusalem. Jesus’ left 11 disciples to carry on his work when he died. *** Twice the Philistines met David in the valley of Rephaim and the Lord gave David victory. *** David now wanted to bring the ark to Jerusalem. They placed the Ark on a cart. They were supposed to carry it by the poles on the shoulders of the priests. When the cart hit a bump in the road and started to shift, the priest Uzzah reached out his hand to stead the Ark. God struck him dead right there beside the Ark. David was afraid to go any further and was upset with God for killing Uzzah. The great procession ended there and they took the Ark to the house of Obededom of Gath. It stayed there for three months blessing all Obed-edom’s household. *** When David learned it had become a blessing to Obed-edom, he had his priests bring the Ark up the right way. Every six steps they would stop and offer a sacrifice. They entered with shouts of joy and the blowing of the ram’s horns. *** David’s wife, Michal who had been Saul’s daughter looked down from her window and saw David dancing in praise to the Lord. He had taken off his kingly robes and was only wearing the linen of the priests. She was humiliated at his actions and told him so later. David rebuked her and told her he was willing to look foolish and humiliated to exalt the Lord. She remained childless. *** Lord, may we be willing to look like a fool in the world’s eyes to honor you. Our kingdom is much higher than the world’s kingdom and they will never understand the things of God unless the Holy Spirit helps them. May we be a light to lead others to the truth.