BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 24

David counted the people in a nationwide census. Joab objected but did it anyways… sort of (1 Chronicles 21.6). The whole thing was sinful to God, but he was the one who incited David to do it (2 Samuel 24.1) … or was it Satan (1 Chronicles 21.1)? When comparing these parallel texts, there appears to be an inconsistency. The tension we feel is legitimate. We know that God tempts no one to sin (James 1.13), and we know that God is not in cahoots with Satan (Matthew 12.25-26). How then can both be true? And why does God punish so many people for this sin (2 Samuel 24.15)?

What is going on here and how do we deal with it?

First, it is important to see that God had an agenda: His anger was kindled against Israel, and rightfully so (2 Samuel 24.1). They were ungrateful for the blessings of David’s government, and strangely drawn in to take part both Absalom and Sheba’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15.1-12; 20.1-2). The armies of Israel and Judah had constant strife between their commanders, and Joab proved to be a cold-blooded murderer on several occasions (2 Samuel 3.27, 18.14, 20.10). Their choices required discipline and judgment, which God would execute in this situation. We must understand those who died were not innocent. They had opportunity to change, and they didn’t.

Second, we must acknowledge God’s sovereignty in this world. Throughout history God frequently used wicked, God-less forces to carry out his judgment. In the recent past God used the Philistines to humble and turn his people back (see 1 Samuel 4-6). Later God would use both the Assyrians and Babylonians to punish Israel and Judah. Did God approve of these peoples? Obviously not, but because of his sovereign control he used them to carry out his will. That’s what we see here. Although Satan was at work in this event, it was the LORD’s judgment that allowed these events to transpire.

Third, we must see God’s delayed judgment as mercy. Only a fraction of Israel died, and the effects of God’s limited judgment turned many back to himself, including David (2 Samuel 24.17). Peter would apply this thought for all: “God is patient, not wishing any to perish but all to reach repentance” (see full context in 2 Peter 3.5-9). This humbling of judgment repositioned Israel to know and honor God, and he once again responded to them (2 Samuel 24.25).

This section pulls the curtain back on dynamics in God’s nature that don’t always make sense to us. But by faith we must determine to accept that our limitations cannot fully grasp the character of God. He is loving and just. He is merciful and righteous. He will not let the guilty go unpunished, but he will endure wickedness in hope of better things.

We have limitations, but in mercy God has revealed the serious cost of sin (Romans 3.23) and that includes every sin. As we give our lives a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12.1), let us remember the words of David as he prepared to make a pleasing sacrifice to God: “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24.24).

“Therefore, let us be grateful… and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12.28-29)

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 21

As the conquest began, Israel came into Canaan with the full force of Jehovah behind them. “When the Gibeonites heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they acted with cunning… and Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them to let them live.” (Joshua 9.3-4; 15). But when their deception was discovered, Joshua found himself in a compromised position. God had commanded these people be utterly destroyed (Deuteronomy 20.17). But Joshua had “sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel” (Joshua 9.19) that he would not kill them. We learn from this episode that, despite Joshua’s faux pas, Israel was compelled by God to uphold this covenant (Joshua 9.26).  

Fast forward to our reading today. God afflicted Israel with a famine, driving David to seek an answer from the LORD (2 Samuel 21.1). Why was this happening? “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death” (2 Samuel 21.2). During his reign Saul had violated this covenant relationship. While the result had insignificant political impact during Saul’s time, God had not overlooked this unfaithfulness. He would hold his people to the covenant made many years before.

While the events of 2 Samuel 21 are culturally foreign to us, we must understand the import God places on faithfulness from his people. Covenant faithfulness is so critical that it moved God to dramatically intervene. I’m sure there were other things going on in Israel for which God could have punished them: idolatry, injustice, immorality had been common throughout their history. But it was Saul’s violation of this covenant that prompted the famine; and only when a price was paid and the covenant renewed would God respond to his people (2 Samuel 21.14).

This story reveals important truths about God’s concern for covenant:  

• God will use the world we live in to bring covenant clarity. While many see events like famine, war, disease, or natural disasters as things of chance, God has consistently used these things to turn people back to himself (for instance, Numbers 21.4-9; Joshua 7.1-11; Ezekiel 39.23; Joel 1). This is not to say that we can put our finger on every event as a specific act of God, but we must not be aloof to God’s sovereignty. Perhaps he wants our attention. He is working all things together for good according to his will (Romans 8.28). When the world around us is in turmoil, we especially need to be wise enough to slow down and seek God’s face.  
• God expects his people to be covenant keepers. On a basic level this means our words must not be flippant. Our actions must not be thoughtless (Matthew 5.33-37; James 5.12). Our commitment to others reflects our commitment to God. On a deeper level, covenants have a specific focus on loyalty in relationship. Although we may not always behave correctly, we must fix our heart to be moved by the desire for relational intimacy and harmony.  
• Finally, we must see that covenant faithfulness moved God to intervene for us once again. This time, however, he personally attended to the justice at hand. Despite human failure to keep any Divine covenant in history, the incarnation of Jesus resolved the broken covenant and made peace possible with God (Ephesians 2.14-18). We can now boldly approach the throne of grace by the blood of the new covenant (Hebrews 4.16; Matthew 26.28; 1 Corinthians 11.25). But we must not neglect the importance of our own covenant faithfulness. 

Like David we need to seek the will of God. We need to seek the areas God wants us to change and repent. We need to be constantly conformed to a more perfect image of the one who saved us. 

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 20

“And David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Take your lord’s servants and pursue him, lest he get himself to fortified cities and escape from us.”” (2 Samuel 20.6)

Sheba was an influential man, but he was not a good man (2 Samuel 20.1). Given the recent events of Absalom’s rebellion, David took swift and definitive action to subdue this uprising. Abishai and his brother Joab pursued Sheba and cornered him in the town of Abel. Their objective was clear: destroy Sheba at all costs. However, their tactics also endangered the lives of many innocent people (2 Samuel 20.15). As they besieged the city, an unexpected hero entered the scene.

“Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’”” (2 Samuel 20.16).

This wise woman carried no weapon but bore great wisdom. She knew the conflict needed clarity. More importantly, her objective was to peaceably reconcile the matter, if possible (2 Samuel 20.19). With thoughtful questions and persuasive speech, this woman resolved the conflict, administered justice, and saved her city. What is most amazing is she did this despite the poor choices of others. Sheba was worthless and divisive, stirring many to rebel. Joab was impetuous and violent. Conflict had begun and was increasing. In many other instances this would had ended with mass bloodshed, and most would have chalked it up to unavoidable circumstances. But, through wisdom, the outcomes were altered for good.

Naturally we gauge our actions through the lens of circumstances. But wisdom understands my choices are not contingent on the actions of others. I am responsible for my actions, and I do not have to get swept up in my circumstances. It may be difficult at times, but we must remember: the only person I can truly change is ME. We don’t need to make excuses or decry our imperfect circumstances. We have power to do what we know is right, and by wisdom we will. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12.18).

Also, wisdom understands my choices impact more than just me. This woman’s choices saved her city, but also ended Sheba’s life. It ended this rebellion and subdued the mounting tensions. There was great power in her actions. While most people get swept up in the emotion of the moment, one person can dramatically alter a situation… and that one person can be ME.

This woman’s choices are uncommon but not unattainable. It’s important to see that the scriptures draw no attention to her name but to her character. She will forever be remembered as the wise woman who turned the tide of this rebellion. If your story were recorded for history, how would you be remembered?

“Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.” (Ecclesiastes 9.18)

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 18

“Joab took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak.” (2 Samuel 18.14)

Absalom, caught in a tree by the pride of head [2 Samuel 14.26; 18.9], is served a violent death. This seemed to Joab a fitting ending to this rebellion. A fierce supporter of David, Joab showed no mercy to the enemies of the king (see also 2 Samuel 3.26-30; 20.8-13). With Absalom dead, David’s right to lead was now reestablished (2 Samuel 19.9-10). Messengers ran to bring David the good news; but he would not rejoice on this day. This victory came at a great cost that grieved the heart of David.

“…the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18.33)

Despite Absalom’s rebellion, David did not seek his harm (2 Samuel 18.5). David’s response to this news caused some to be angry (19.5-7), but he could not rejoice in this loss. Absalom was not merely an enemy; he was his son. The love of this father was so great, he would have given himself in Absalom’s place.

The emotional struggle David felt tugs at the heart of most parents. Even if our children reject our counsel, go behind our back and become our enemies, we would still desire to see their good. Why? Because they are our children, and we love them.

As imperfectly as David and we demonstrate this, it points to a powerful truth about God’s nature as “the Father of all” (Ephesians 4.6). “For God so loved the world that he gave…” (John 3.16). “…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… while we were enemies…” (Romans 5.8, 10). God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34.6; Psalm 86.15), “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3.9). Although right and just in his actions, God does not rejoice at the downfall of his creation (Ezekiel 18.23, 32; 33.11; 2 Timothy 2.4).

The rebellion of our sin grieves God, but in his perfect mercy and love, he so desired our well-being that he was willing to suffer in our place (Isaiah 53.5). “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3.16). Thank God his heart is not for harm but for good, even to his enemies who we once were (Ephesians 5.10; Colossians 1.21). But His Sovereign love must not simply be accepted; it must also compel us (2 Corinthians 5.14). Having become his children, how much more should we give thanks and reflect this love to others for whom Christ died?

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are... Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3.1-ff)

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 16-17

“So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city, just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.” (2 Samuel 15.37)

Absalom’s conspiracy was now in full force. He had won the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15.6) and many who once seemed loyal to David had deserted him. The most crippling of these was Ahithophel the Gilonite (2 Samuel 15.12, 31). David knew the value of his counsel and saw it as his greatest threat in this revolt (see 2 Samuel 15.31, 34; 16.23). The rebellion of his son and desertion of this critical counselor were emotional for David (2 Samuel 15.30). The tables had turned so quickly, surely David wondered if everyone was against him.

But in this difficult season, David found out who his friends were. Ittai, a sojourner vowed his loyalty and would eventually lead a third of David’s forces against Absalom (2 Samuel 15.21; 18.2). The priests, Zadok and Abiathar, became David’s ears on the inside, helping to communicate Absalom’s plans. Most notably Hushai, David’s friend (2 Samuel 15.37, 16.16), served as the key agent in destroying the counsel of Ahithophel and bringing Absalom down (2 Samuel 17.14). Through the support of his friends, David was saved from harm.

Although not stated, the loyalty of these men reflected David’s character and the relationship he had developed with them. No doubt they remembered his integrity towards Saul. They had seen his loyalty in leading them in battle. These men were confident and committed to their friend because he had done so for them.

Friendship is a blessing from God that can greatly enrich our lives. God encourages us to have people that make us sharper and more effective (Proverbs 27.17). He wants us to be around people who care about our best interest (Philippians 2.4) and will speak the truth to us in love (Proverbs 27.5-6; Ephesians 4.25, 29). These relationships are critical because difficult circumstances are when we need friends. We need to surround ourselves with those who will stand with us, not just when it is easy. We need people who will weep with us when we weep, and who are willing to be there when it is awkward and uncomfortable. These relationships don’t just happen when the hard times come; they are developed over time and on purpose.

Just like David, if we want to find these kinds of people, we need to be these kinds of people. We need to foster loyalty, not just with our actions but also our words. We need to sit with others in their hard times and speak courage to the faint-hearted. In good times and bad, we need to be true friends.

Difficult circumstances always reveal true character. When those times come, what sort of friends will you have? What sort of friend will you be?

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17.17)