2 SAMUEL 4:1-6:23
2 Samuel is a biography of David and of the establishment of the Kingdom. 1 Chronicles, which goes with it, is a religious history and the story of the Temple. The Key to understanding both books is that God is Sovereign - in charge. DAVID inherited 12 bands of ragtag nomans and turned them into a KINGDOM. David was able to hold all Israel in a kingdom because of (1) Covenant and decree of God; (2) His obedience of faith; (3) He maintained an aggressive forward movement.
MEPHIBOSHETH: Saul's grandson, Jonathan's son. Crippled in both feet at age 5 when his nurse fell as she carried him. He was a fugitive from David. His life is a series of disasters and disappointments. He is a lame, broken, humbled, chronically weary, and dispirited soul. His name means "to scatter shame to the four corners."
DAVID'S CORONATION OVER ALL ISRAEL: 2 Sam 5 and 1 Chron 11:1-3: "to lead out and bring in" (See Num 27:17 for full explanation.) Means the ability to direct the affairs of a nation and see them through anything that comes. It is compared to a good shepherd with his sheep.
ZION: "City of David". It means "conspicuous". It is the highest point in Jerusalem, from which David led the nation in worship, ministry, and kingdom rule. Hebrews 12:22 calls it "the City of the Living God". See Psa 48 and 102.
DAVID'S ARMY: Day by Day, men were added until it appeared like "the Army of God" with over 339,600 men and 1,222 chiefs. These men of war were committed, courageous, competent, and able to keep rank - "with a perfect heart to make David king."
PHILISTINES: While all Israel were gathered in Jerusalem, the Philistines came up and spread themselves in the Valley of the Giants in two battles that established David's fame throughout the Land.
"DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD": David got God's battle plans for both battles. BAAL-PERAZIM: ("Master of Breakthrough") David beat the Philistines so bad, they dropped their idols and ran! David burned them to avenge the Ark. Second battle: David was to wait for the sound of marching in the mulberry trees. The Lord went out before David, and so the Lord must have been the One in the treetops! The sound in the treetops covered the noise of David's men getting into battle positions. From this battle, we learn that timing is everything! David learned that the enemy (Satan) has a vantage ground when we do not maintain an aggressive forward march. Stopping and standing still in a non-growing condition is a position fully exposed to our enemies. David's ability to fight and win was found in doing it God's way.
BRINGING UP THE ARK TO ZION: (See also 1 Chron 13-16) Bringing the Ark to Zion was bringing God's Presence and Power to Zion. "UZZAH" means "Strength" and represents the breaking of a man's natural strength in God's Presence. This occasion is the last recorded instance of animal sacrifices in David's Tabernacle. Psa 132 tells us that God has chosen Zion as HIS "resting place". It is where God dwells in fullness and represents the New Man in Christ, who has died to SELF and now lives to God.
RESPONSE: David's wife, Michal, was an emotionally battered woman. Her heart had been broken by David, and her father used her as a political pawn. David may have even "refused her" (to give her a child) to keep Saul's lineage off the throne! But, those who despise worship will be barren - an unfruitful, bitter life. I believe that the changes in my own life are the result of worship - an intimate relationship with God. He changes me by loving me.
JOHN 13:31-14:14
CHAPTER 13: A NEW COMMANDMENT: (V.34) "love one another as I have loved you." This love is self-sacrificial and committed to moment-by-moment obedience to God. It requires me to lay down my life. Failure to love chokes off "THE LIFE" of God in me. This love is not a feeling, but a costly decision to be a sacrifice (not a victim).
CHAPTER 14: A NEW PEACE: (V.27) "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." We are free from inward disturbance because: (1) We have a place of rest (GR "mone" - "to settle down in a permanent, fixed place" translated poorly, "mansion"). This is a dwelling-place in God. (2) We are secure in our Ultimate Reality (Jesus is our "Way, Truth, Life") (3) He has given us His Name and His Spirit so our lives reflect glory on God.
RESPONSE: We know how to get into this place - this "abiding place" - of REST. We force our wayward hearts and our mouthy heads into it by meditating on the goodness and greatness of God. We "go to" this place minute-by-minute to continue "abiding" or staying connected with God. Just TELL Him you need to know you are connected, one minute at a time! It will become habit to just stay with Him as you go about your day. Continually acknowledge Him.
PSALM 119:17-32
GIMEL: V.17-24: My Life's Aim. The "gimel" is the number three, and is also a picture of a camel, known for dependability to keep walking in hardship. We must know the mysteries of the walk of faith - of living by the faith and energy of God.
PROVERBS 15:31-32
The person who refuses correction, hates himself! This is because correction preserves lives.
RESPONSE: "Correction" and "reproof" and "instruction" here refer to being instructed with blows. I assume this means it may be painful. When I used to call a special friend to whine or complain about something, she would ask me, "do you want sympathy or a solution?" Because if I was just looking for sympathy, she didn't want to listen any more! If I was looking for a solution, the correction mighty be painful. David had decided he wanted insight to his troubles so that he could keep running. Comfort might slow him down and turn him into a spiritual weenie! Along with disqualifying him for the Kingdom! Remember, sin is a forfeiture!
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