Even though chapters 1-12 only take up a little more than 10 pages in my Bible, it is full of details to take to heart. There is so much to take in about David becoming King of Judah and then of all of Israel. Throughout, David seeks God for guidance, pours out his thankful heart and worships out of joy, dancing in the streets. The humbleness of Davids’ heart continues to stick out. He despised those who took actions into their own hands, such as the Amalakite who finished off Saul and Rachel and Baanah who killed Ish-bosheth while he napped.
However, David was not without his own sins. He slept with another man’s wife, Bathsheba who became pregnant and ultimately killed her husband, Uziah to hide his sin. Yet when confronted with his sin by Nathan, David was quick to admit his fault and seek forgiveness for his actions. We should seek to have a heart after God’s by humbling serving the world around us, worshipping Him without abandon, and quickly admitting our wrongs and seeking forgiveness for our wrong actions.
And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the Lord-and I celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.” 2 Samuel 6:21-22
Passage:
2 Samuel 1-12
Discovered:
- David received a report of Saul and Jonathan’s death. The Amalakite who told David had been the one to finish off Saul after he fell on his spear. He brought David his crown and armlet.
- David and his men mourned Saul and Jonathan’s deaths. David had the Amalakite executed for killing the Lord’s anointed.
- God told David to settle in Hebron in Judah when he asked what to do. David was anointed King over Judah. David blessed the city Jabesh-gilead for taking care of Saul’s burial.
- Ish-bosheth, son of Saul was named King of Israel.
- Israel and Judah met for battle at Gibeon. Initially, both Israel and Judah sent 12 champions to see if the battle victor could be determined, but all 24 died, so a battle occurred. David soundly defeated the Israelites.
- Asahel pursued Baner, commander of Israel and refused to back down from the chase so Abner killed him. His brothers Joab and Abishai pursued Abner, but later agreed to a truce.
- The war between the house of Saul and the house of David continued with David growing stronger and Saul growing weaker.
- David married 6 wives from 6 different places, helping to secure alliances and had 6 children: Amnon by Ahinoam, Chilean by Hannah, Absalom by Maacah, Adonijah by Haggith, Shephatiah by Abigail and Ithrea by Eglah.
- Abner was angry at Ish-bosheth for calling him a traitor and went to seek peace with David. At Abner’s request from David, Ish-bosheth gave David back his wife, Michal. Abner met with elders of Israel to agree to accept David as King. He met in secret with David that Israel had agreed. Joab came home from a raid and killed Abner as he was leaving in retaliation for his brother’s death.
- David mourned the death of Baner and made sure Israel understood that David did not order his death.
- Rechab and Bannah, captains of a raiding band, murdered Ish-bosheth while napping. They brought his head to David. David was angry at their brazen behavior and had them killed.
- All of the tribes of Israel met at Hebron, where at last David was anointed King over all of Israel. He ruled for 40 years total.
- David conquered Jerusalem and set it up as his home, calling it Zion, the city of David.
- David took on more wives and concubines, thus having more children.
- After his victory, David tries to bring the ark to Jerusalem, but left it in Nacon with Obed-edom out of fear after Uzzah was killed by God for touching the ark. After seeing Obed was blessed, David had the courage to move it to Jerusalem and place it in the tent he had built.
- Michal chastised David for dancing in the street, not wearing his kingly robes and humbling himself before the Lord in view of everyone and as a result she became barren.
- David wanted to build a temple, but gave that honor to one of his sons. God promised David that his throne would be established forever. David gave thanks to the Lord.
- David defeated the Philistines, Moabites, King of Zohab, Syrians of Damascus and the Edomites. Israel built garrisons in the newly conquered territories.
- David was king to Mephibosheth, Saul’s disabled son by giving him Saul’s land and a place at his table. Ziba’s family was to take care of the land for Mephibosheth.
- David defeated the Ammonites and Syrians. The Ammonites hired the Syrians to fight with them. After the Syrians surrounded them from behind, Joab divided the army in half, his brother Abishai took half and they were able to conquer bother armies.
- David slept with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba and she became pregnant. David kills Uriah to hide his sin. Nathan calls him on it and David repents, but his child would die and harm would come to his house. Bathsheba later had Solomon, his future heir.
- David conquered Rabbah.
Help me to remember:
David did not care if he was humbling himself before the Lord or who saw it. He was full of joyous worship and thankfulness.
Lord, I ask that . . .
I am unabashed and humble in my worship of you. I want to not care what others think of me while doing as you have commanded.
Heavenly Father, I am thankful for . . .
the humbleness of David’s actions, even when he sinned, he was quick to admit his wrong and ask for forgiveness.
Have you listened to the 90 Days Through The Bible Playlist on Spotify?
