Burunche’s Blog

1 Chronicles 19:1 – 19 “David’s Messengers Disgraced (2 Samuel 10:1-8)

Some time later, Nahash king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son. And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”

So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent you comforters, do you really believe he is showing respect for your father? Have not his servants come to you to explore the land, spy it out, and overthrow it?” So Hanun took David’s servants, shaved their beards, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away. When someone came and told David about his men, he sent messengers to meet them, since the men had been thoroughly humiliated. The king told them, “Stay in Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return.” When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites came from their cities and marched out for battle.

On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.

David Defeats Ammon and Aram (2 Samuel 10:9-19)

When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. And he placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him. When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before Joab’s brother Abishai, and they entered the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

When the Arameans saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to bring more Arameans from beyond the Euphrates, with Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army leading them.

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan, advanced toward the Arameans, and arrayed for battle against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him. But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty – thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were unwilling to help the Ammonites anymore.”

While David might have had his shortcomings, he was always grateful to those who had helped him during his struggles with Saul. At one point, David had to send his parents to live with Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, until things were safer. When Nahash died, it was natural for David to send a delegation to greet Hanun, Nahash’s son, and to give him David’s condolences. But Hanun was young and arrogant and his advisors were probably all young princes who gave him bad advice. The princes warned Hanun that this delegation from Israel must be a spying mission and that he should humiliate them as much as possible.

Now if a more experienced ruler were to receive a group whom he suspected of spying, he could have controlled the situation so they would have gotten minimal information. Hanun could have had his soldiers greet the delegation at the gate and escort the delegation to the palace. Then Hanun could have made a lovely meaningless speech, entertained the delegation nicely, and then have them escorted back out through the city gates to the borders of his territory. The Israelites could have carried positive messages back to David and all would have been well. But Hanun’s advisors were just as foolish as those young men who advised Solomon’s son Rehoboam to speak arrogantly to the Israelites. So Hanun didn’t even give the delegation the chance to state their mission; instead, he began accusing them and insulting them. Next, Hanun seized the Israelites, shaved their beards, and cut their garments at such a short level that their genitalia were exposed. And then he booted them out of the Ammonite territory. (Shaving the beards indicated that the Ammonites had no respect for the Israelites as men.)

David had the delegation stay in Jericho until their beards had grown back; meanwhile, he marshaled his troops to wage war on the Ammonites. Even though the Ammonites hired thirty – two thousand chariots plus the king of Maacah with all his troops, the Israelites defeated these men handily. When the Ammonites sent to king Hadadezer beyond the Euphrates for more troops, David himself took the field, killing seven thousand charioteers and forty – thousand foot soldiers, including the commander of their army. At this point, nobody wanted to help the Ammonites anymore! All that Hanun succeeded in accomplishing was making himself look ridiculous and costing his nation the lives of many fighting men plus the money he expended in hiring mercenaries.

APPLICATION: Proverbs 24:6 tells us that “Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.” But you have to be careful about the counselors! Undoubtedly, there were older Ammonite leaders who could have given Hanun excellent advice; however, he didn’t listen to them. Hanun insisted on listening to advisors who were rash and arrogant. The Ammonite nation paid dearly for Hanun’s foolishness.

Where are we getting our advice? To whom do we listen? These days, it is increasingly difficult to find news sources that are actually reporting the truth and not indulging in some form of brain washing. Had Hanun stopped and considered the possible result of his insults to the Israelites, he could have avoided the entire mess. Hanun could have had David as an ally; instead, David became an implacable enemy. May God help us so that we listen carefully to Him and do not allow ourselves to be manipulated!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to hear Your truth and not to be swerved by propaganda. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 18:1 – 17 “David’s Triumphs (2 Samuel 8:1-14; Psalm 60:1-12)

Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and various bronze articles.

When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze, and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.

Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

David’s Officers (2 Samuel 8:15-18)

Thus David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.”

WOW! When God gives someone victory, He doesn’t mess around! Not only does David defeat the Philistines and the Moabites, but he also defeats other kings as far away as the Euphrates River. David is fabulously successful in battle, even capturing 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and all the horses for these chariots. Wisely, David only preserves enough horses for 100 chariots, following God’s instructions that a king of Israel is not to multiply chariots or horses for himself.

When we read about King Solomon building the temple, we need to remember that much of the wealth that went into that temple actually came from David’s conquests. The bronze used to create the bronze sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles in Solomon’s temple also comes from these conquests.

No man is an island and David is no exception to this rule. If David is phenomenally successful, it’s because God has raised up brilliant priests, scribes, administrators, and military leaders who carry out the work of the kingdom. Every one of the men mentioned in this account is a star in his own right. The proof of this assertion is that God has preserved the names of these men so that even thousands of years later, we still know about them.

APPLICATION: Sometimes we work and wonder if anybody is really watching or if anybody really cares. Does it matter if we preserve ethical standards of medical care? If we refuse to cut corners in business, does anybody notice? If we teach our students true historical facts rather than something that is politically expedient, will it really matter, especially if we might pay for our honesty with our jobs?

TAKE HEART! God is watching and God takes note of everything you are doing. None of your efforts are falling to the ground useless. Just look at this list of outstanding professionals who supported David. God could have allowed them to be forgotten; however, we recognize these names because repeatedly these men are honored for their work.

We are living in a day and age when truth is under fire and many wish to re – write history to suit their particular political views. But truth has an uncomfortable habit of rearing its defiant head, even when someone attempts to suppress it. When Jesus was standing trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” God’s Word is truth, whether we like it or not. In the end, we will be judged by our attitude towards God’s Word. If we accept God’s Word as true and righteous, if we honor God’s Word by following it, then we have nothing to fear. But if we have insisted that we can remodel God’s Word to suit ourselves, twisting it to justify our pet sins, there will come a time when our prevarications will shout loudly against us. May God help us to persistently study and honor His Word!

Galatians 6:7 – 9 tells us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” God is still on the throne and is still watching to help us! Let us look to Him and remain faithful.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to honor Your Word and to study it. Help us to remain faithful to You wherever You have called us, even in the face of adversity. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.  

1 Chronicles 17:1 – 27 “God’s Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:1-17)

After David had settled into his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under a tent.”

And Nathan replied to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David that this is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build a house for Me to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought Israel up from Egypt until this day, but I have moved from tent to tent and dwelling to dwelling. In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’

Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like the greatest in the land.

And I will provide a place for My people Israel and will plant them so that they may dwell in a place of their own and be disturbed no more. No longer will the sons of wickedness oppress them as they did at the beginning and have done since the day I appointed judges over My people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies.

Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you. And when your days are fulfilled and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for Me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he will be My son. And I will never remove My loving devotion from him as I removed it from your predecessor. But I will set him over My house and My kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.”

So Nathan relayed to David all the words of this entire vision.

David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving (2 Samuel 7:18-29)

Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And as if this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God, You have spoken about the future of the house of Your servant and have regarded me as a man of great distinction, O LORD God. What more can David say to You for so honoring Your servant? For You know Your servant, O LORD. For the sake of Your servant and according to Your own heart, You have accomplished this great thing and revealed all Your greatness.

O LORD, there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears. And who is like Your people Israel—the one nation on earth whom God went out to redeem as a people for Himself? You made a name for Yourself through great and awesome wonders by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed from Egypt. For You have made Your people Israel Your very own forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.

And now, O LORD, let the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house be established forever. Do as You have promised, so that Your name will be established and magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.’ And may the house of Your servant David be established before You. For You, my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build a house for him. Therefore Your servant has found the courage to pray before You. And now, O LORD, You are God! And You have promised this goodness to Your servant. So now You have been pleased to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”

King David may have many failings, but he has always sought God and has remembered the lessons he has learned. Now that David has built a palace for himself with the help of Hiram, King of Tyre, he feels ashamed that the Ark should remain in a tent. Although the prophet Nathan initially agrees with David, God has other ideas and makes them clear. As a man of war, David is not the right person to build the temple in Jerusalem; however, God promises to establish David’s throne forever.

“Wait!” you might say. “Didn’t the Babylonians defeat the nation of Judah and carry off many of its citizens to Babylon?” Yes, you are correct. But here God is taking a much longer view. From God’s perspective, He is referring to Jesus the Messiah, who will be borne of David’s lineage and who will rule forever on the spiritual throne of David. That is how David’s house and lineage will continue forever.

 The sweetness of God’s message to David through Nathan is almost unbearable. “Go tell my servant David…” God says this not once, but several times. God knows David and has been with David for all of David’s life. Now God is promising David and Israel immense blessings. Even when both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah fall into terrible sin and are carried off into exile, God’s promises remain awaiting the time of fulfillment.

APPLICATION: Anybody familiar with the history of the modern state of Israel knows that God has had to intervene on multiple occasions to establish the state and then to preserve it. Even now, despite all attempts of surrounding countries to destroy Israel, Israel continues to flourish. God’s promises to David are still working and are still being fulfilled.

One of the most poignant parts of this chapter is David’s response to God. David goes and sits before the Lord, waiting for God to speak to him. Undoubtedly, David must have gone to God at night when things were quiet around the palace and nobody was tugging on David’s robe, demanding attention. David was by himself with nobody to witness his conversation with God. This means that later David must have recounted the story of God’s promises to someone who was keeping records.

Sometimes people complain that they can’t sleep and struggle with all kinds of sleep aids. When I can’t sleep, I assume that God wants to tell me something, and I go sit in a quiet place and wait. God has never failed to meet me; my big challenge is calming my mind so that i can hear God properly. God is always present to anyone who will call upon Him.

While there is nothing wrong with prayer meetings, there is something terribly wrong when people assume that a prayer meeting consists of standing up and praying as rapidly as possible and as loudly as possible. Newsflash: GOD IS NOT DEAF!!! One dedicated Christian friend has given up on his church prayer meetings because they have become nothing but competitions to see who can pray the loudest, the longest, or the most violently. God wants to meet with us so that He can advise us and guide us, but the Holy Spirit generally speaks very softly. There are times and places in which loud exclamatory prayers are appropriate; however, if all you do is to make noise constantly, you will never hear the Holy Spirit.

The next time you are having trouble sleeping, don’t count sheep. Go meet with the Shepherd and Guardian of your soul. Roll your problems onto Him; He can handle them far better than you can!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow King David’s example and to meet with You quietly and privately. Thank You, that Your promises are true and sure. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

A Tent for the Ark (2 Samuel 6:17-19)

1 Chronicles 16:1 – 43 “So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God. When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. Then he distributed to each and every Israelite, both men and women, a loaf of bread, a date cake, and a raisin cake.

David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals 6and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving (Psalm 96:1-13; Psalm 105:1-15; Psalm 106:1-48)

On that day David first committed to Asaph and his brothers this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:

“Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,

O offspring of His servant Israel, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

Remember His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— 16the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac.

He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ‘I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.’

When they were few in number, few indeed, and strangers in the land, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:

‘Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!’

Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Proclaim His salvation day after day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.

The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!’

Let the sea resound, and all that fills it; let the fields exult, and all that is in them.

Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Then cry out: ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!”

Worship before the Ark

So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements, 38along with Obed-edom and his sixty-eight relatives. Obed-edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were to be gatekeepers.

And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40to regularly present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offerings, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the Law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep. With them were Heman, Jeduthun, and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, for “His loving devotion endures forever.” Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

Then all the people departed for their homes, and David returned home to bless his household.”

There is very little that needs to be said about this chapter. The description and psalm included have inspired millions of people ever since the events of this day. Undoubtedly, the dedication of the tent for the Ark was one of the highlights of David’s long reign as king. The preparations for the priests and for those who were to lead worship leaves little doubt that David was a genius when it came to organization, even though he probably got lots of advice from the priests.

APPLICATION: The best way to apply the lessons of this chapter is to read through it several times and then apply the lessons of praise. “Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

Then cry out: ‘Save us, O God of our salvation; gather and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise.’

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” All that is really left for us is to say, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord!”

PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to praise you wherever we are and under all circumstances. Help us to remember that all nature continually praises you and that we are the ones who need to catch up with the ocean and the trees! May Your Name be praised forever! In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen

1 Chronicles 15:1 – 29 “David constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.”

And David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to the place he had prepared for it. Then he gathered together the descendants of Aaron and the Levites: From the Kohathites, Uriel the chief and 120 of his relatives; from the Merarites, Asaiah the chief and 220 of his relatives; from the Gershomites, Joel the chief and 130 of his relatives; from the Elizaphanites, Shemaiah the chief and 200 of his relatives; from the Hebronites, Eliel the chief and 80 of his relatives; and from the Uzzielites, Amminadab the chief and 112 of his relatives.

David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”

The Priests and Levites Carry the Ark So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD. David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel.

The musicians Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were to sound the bronze cymbals. Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to Alamoth.  And Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead the music with lyres according to Sheminith. Chenaniah the head Levite was the director of the music because he was highly skilled.

Berechiah and Elkanah were to be guardians of the ark. Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.

Moving the Ark to Jerusalem

So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

Michal’s Contempt for David (2 Samuel 6:16)

As the ark of the covenant of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart.”

When David first wanted to move the ark from the home of Obed – edom at Kiriath – jearim, his heart was in the right place but he failed to do his homework. The priests didn’t speak up either. Despite the fact that the Ark was to be carried by the priests using special poles passing through rings on the sides of the Ark, David originally loaded the Ark on a cart pulled by oxen. When the cart lurched and a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark, God struck Uzzah dead.

Now David has done a lot more investigation and has informed himself of the regulations regarding the transport of the Ark. “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever.” David gets the priests and Levites to properly consecrate themselves and prepare to carry the Ark. David has also prepared a place for the Ark, including a tent for the Ark. David makes sure that everything is organized, including assigning musicians with specific duties.

This time, everything goes well, and the Ark is successfully brought into Jerusalem. But there’s a sour note in the situation. When David first killed Goliath, he was given Michal, Saul’s daughter, as a wife. At one point, Michal saved David’s life by placing an image in his bed and telling Saul’s soldiers that David was sick. Later, Michal was given to another man, only for David to eventually claim her again. Michal’s second husband was very devoted and was broken – hearted when David reclaimed her. Evidently, Michal is still resentful. As David and the Ark procession comes into Jerusalem, David dances in ecstasy and joy. But Michal is embarrassed and despises David for making a spectacle of himself.  

APPLICATION: It takes a false start, but David has learned to make sure he is doing God’s work God’s way. As a leader, David has made sure that he has gotten his facts straight so that he is able to inspire the priests and Levites to carry out their duties properly. Having instructed those who are to carry the Ark and the musicians who are to accompany it, David then throws himself whole – heartedly into the celebration.

Poor Michal! Originally, Michal loved David; however, once given to another man, Michal may have found peace and a loving relationship in which she was valued for herself, rather than as a political pawn. Little wonder then, that when David demands Michal return to him, Michal herself might be miserable. Now rather than being David’s chief wife, Michal has to share David with a host of other women in the harem. So far, Michal has not given birth; some of these other women might be throwing Michal’s infertility up in her face. If Michal is already struggling, then when David disports himself in the streets of Jerusalem, Michal is ready to cut him down to size verbally. And there’s another problem: Michal’s father Saul never truly worshiped God, so Michal herself is not a God – worshiper. Michal cannot possibly understand David’s joy in the Lord because she has never known that joy.  

What is not recorded is the reactions of those in Jerusalem as the Ark returns. Those people might be just as giddy with joy as David. For all we know, there might be a whole procession of men and women dancing behind the Ark as it approaches the place David has prepared for it. With shofars and horns blowing, cymbals clashing, and all kinds of other instruments sounding, the very stones of Jerusalem might be shaking! Those living in villages close to Jerusalem might be listening and run to join the celebration when they hear the music and singing and shouting.

Over the years, Jerusalem has witnessed some amazing celebrations. There are the celebrations surrounding the opening of Solomon’s temple. There are the celebrations of Palm Sunday, when Jesus fulfills Scripture by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. But some day, there will be a final celebration. Someday, Jesus, the Messiah, will return in all His glory. On that day, not only will people be singing and shouting, but the very rocks of Mount Moriah will cry out in ecstasy. For those of us who acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord, this return will be the best celebration of all.

1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58 tells us, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives! Help us to trust You when we cannot see. And help us to remember that one day, You will return and that will be a celebration that will never end. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

1 Chronicles 14:1 – 17 “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had highly exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

Two Victories over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17–25)

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went out to face them.  Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of God, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”

“Go,” replied the LORD, “for I will deliver them into your hand.”

So David and his men went up to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, God has burst out against my enemies by my hand.” So they called that place Baal-perazim. There the Philistines abandoned their gods, and David ordered that they be burned in the fire. Once again the Philistines raided the valley. So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has marched out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”

So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.  And David’s fame went out into every land, and the LORD caused all nations to fear him.”

God is a God of infinite variety; He never does things quite the same way twice. If we want to succeed, we must be attuned to God’s leading. David has become king and is now in Jerusalem. God moves King Hiram of Tyre, that rich trading city on the coast, to send artisans and materials to David to build David a palace. Hiram is politically savvy and realizes that now there is a king in Israel worth acknowledging. David realizes that God is moving Hiram to do this for the sake of the nation of Israel and not merely for David’s sake. David goes on to firmly establish his dynasty by taking more wives and fathering more children.

When the Philistines realize that David has become king over Israel, they go out hunting for him. After all, when Saul was persecuting David, David actually hid with the Philistines for a time. The Philistines also remember that David is the one who killed their champion Goliath. Better to make a quick end of this upstart before he solidifies his support throughout all of Israel! But David has learned a few things all those years that Saul has chased him, and David is smart enough to ask God for advice. David meets the Philistines head – on in the Valley of Rephaim and soundly defeats them, capturing their idols and burning the idols.

The Philistines can’t believe that David has defeated them, so they raid the Valley of Rephaim a second time. Here is where David distinguishes himself from Saul. Were Saul the one facing this challenge from the Philistines, Saul would simply shrug his shoulders and meet the Philistines head – on again. After all, that strategy worked the first time, why not the second? But David inquires of the Lord, and God advises him to circle around the Philistines and meet them in front of a grove of balsam trees. Not only are the Philistines not expecting this plan, but by getting between the Philistines and the trees, David also is cutting off potential escape routes. God orders David to wait until he hears the sound of marching feet in the treetops indicating that God’s angel armies are going out ahead of David to attack the Philistines. Unlike Saul who rarely if ever followed orders, David follows God’s instructions to the letter. The result is a resounding victory that sends the Philistines westward to their five cities to lick their wounds.

APPLICATION: If you have tried a strategy and it has worked, it’s very tempting to repeat that approach without considering the possibility that circumstances may have changed. But flexibility is critically important. When we were first training as missionaries, one experienced instructor advised us, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall never be bent out of shape.” Proverbs 29:1 tells us, “A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery.”

The key to David’s success is simple: he asks God for advice, he takes that advice, and he waits until God moves before he moves. We can read all the books and watch Ted Talks. We can ask friends and superiors for advice. But unless we have consulted God, we are setting ourselves up for failure.

The HMS Bounty was a replica of a famous sailing ship. October 25, 2012, this three – masted wooden ship left the safety of New London, Connecticut, bound for Saint Petersburg, Florida, despite the fact that Hurricane Sandy was making its way up the East Coast of the U.S. The captain of the Bounty foolishly assumed that this relatively small ship would be safer at sea than at anchor and sailed with a small inexperienced crew (15 rather than the 25 generally on board), poorly functioning pumps, and inadequate safety precautions.

The Bounty sank on October 29, 2012. Coast Guard helicopters rescued 14 of the 16 crew members. One sailor died and the 63-year-old captain, Robin Walbridge, was never found. In a later report, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded, “To set sail into an approaching hurricane introduced needless risk,” the safety board wrote. The probable cause of the sinking was “the captain’s reckless decision to sail the vessel into the well-forecasted path of Hurricane Sandy, which subjected the aging vessel and the inexperienced crew to conditions from which the vessel could not recover.” Had Mr. Walbridge consulted the God who controlled Hurricane Sandy, he would have stayed in port.

God is always willing to help us and to advise us. Our problem is us; we dream up approaches and then ask God to bless them without ever considering that we might be as foolish as the captain of the Bounty replica. King David was wise enough to ask God for help; let us do the same!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to always seek Your advice and then to take it, even if our common sense is telling us something quite different. Thank You for not giving up on us when we do fail to take Your advice. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 13:1 – 14 “Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands. And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it. So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart.

Uzzah Touches the Ark (2 Samuel 6:5–11)

David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David became angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah; so he named that place Perez-uzzah, as it is called to this day.

That day David feared God and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” So he did not move the ark with him to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. Thus the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he owned.”

What happened to the Ark of the Covenant in the first place? In the days when the prophet Samuel was a boy, the Israelites insisted on carrying the Ark out to battle while they were fighting the Philistines. When the Philistines defeated the Israelites, they captured the Ark and sent it to one of their temples. The statue of Dagon in that temple fell on its face before the Ark. Then God began afflicting the Philistines with tumors, perhaps with bubonic plague, and the Philistines finally loaded the Ark, plus golden images of the tumors and the rats that had carried the plague on a cart drawn by two milk cows whose calves were still tied up. Despite the fact that the cows cried for their calves, the cows headed straight for Israel. The Ark wound up in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath – jearim, where it had stayed ever since. 

When the Ark of the Covenant was in the Tabernacle, priests would bring petitions from Israelites and would ask to know God’s will in those matters. Now for years, the Tabernacle had stood with all of its other accoutrements but missing its heart. David observed, “Then let us bring back the ark of our God, for we did not inquire of Him in the days of Saul.” The Ark was captured when Samuel was still young, but Saul never lifted a finger to try to re – capture the Ark, nor did Saul inquire of the Lord. Periodically, Saul would try to get advice from Samuel, but much of the time, Saul went off on his own, assuming that he didn’t need to hear from the God who had crowned him king.

David’s heart was in the right place; however, he made a major mistake. Nobody thought to check the Law of Moses to see how the Ark was supposed to be handled. Although God allowed the Philistines to load the Ark onto a cart to return it to Israel, the Ark was actually designed to be carried by the priests using poles inserted through rings on the sides of the Ark. Had David carried out the original instructions to kings and made a copy of the Law for his own study, he would have known the regulations concerning the Ark. But nobody had paid much attention to the Law of Moses for years.

David organized a wonderful celebration, loading the Ark onto a cart pulled by oxen. But when the oxen stumbled, one man named Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark and God struck him dead! At first, this punishment seems cruel and ridiculous. Wasn’t Uzzah simply trying to save the Ark? But perhaps there was more to the story than we realize. Perhaps Uzzah used the shifting of the Ark on the cart as an excuse to peek into the Ark, something that was not allowed. Uzzah may have felt that because he was a priest, he was special and therefore entitled to handle the Ark, but he was wrong. God has never been unjust, so if God struck Uzzah dead, there had to be a good reason; a wrong heart attitude would explain things.

At this point, David was shocked, horrified, and afraid. David sent the Ark to the house of Obed – edom for three months, and God blessed Obed – edom and his family. Whoever Obed – edom was, he and his family obviously feared God and handled the Ark reverently.

APPLICATION: David wanted to honor God, but he didn’t ask God for advice before making his plans. One Christian comedian and evangelist began his ministry by attempting to copy everyone else and failing miserably. When this man went to God, his first question to God was, “God what are YOU doing wrong?” God answered the man, “Well, you’re doing your will in My Name!” God had to show this man that copying other successful ministries was useless and that only God’s way would bring results. David had to learn this same lesson.

God is always doing new things in new ways; however, God can never bless something that He has not brought into existence in the first place. There are many times when we seek out programs and design outreaches with no thought to the God whom we are serving. Then we wonder why the results are so disappointing. We may even make decisions on our life’s work without consulting God and then wonder why we aren’t happier with our choices.

Eventually, David did do the right thing, but he had to learn a bitter lesson first. Before making important decisions, let us stop and ask God for guidance. We can rest assured that God will answer us in ways we can understand.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that You are the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. Help us to ask You for guidance before taking any major decisions. Thank You that You are a good Father who can communicate Your Will for Your children. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 12:1 – 40 The Mighty Men Join David at Ziklag

“Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the Thirty and a leader over the Thirty; Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, and Jozabad the Gederathite; Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite; Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam, who were Korahites; and Joelah and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham from Gedor.

Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the desert. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth, and Machbanai the eleventh.

These Gadites were army commanders, the least of whom was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand. These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.

Other Benjamites and some men from Judah also came to David in his stronghold. And David went out to meet them, saying, “If you have come to me in peace to help me, my heart will be united with you; but if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free of violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you.”

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, the chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers, for your God helps you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his troops.

Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. For at that time men came to David day after day to help him, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

David’s Army Grows at Hebron

Now these are the numbers of men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, in accordance with the word of the LORD: From Judah: 6,800 armed troops bearing shields and spears.

From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle. From Levi: 4,600, including Jehoiada, leader of the house of Aaron, with 3,700 men, and Zadok, a mighty young man of valor, with 22 commanders from his own family.

From Benjamin, the kinsmen of Saul: 3,000, most of whom had remained loyal to the house of Saul up to that time.

From Ephraim: 20,800 mighty men of valor, famous among their own clans. From the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 designated by name to come and make David king. From Issachar, men who understood the times and new what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command. From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David. From Naphtali: 1,000 commanders, accompanied by 37,000 men with shield and spear. From Dan: 28,600 prepared for battle.

From Asher: 40,000 fit for service, prepared for battle. And from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh there: 120,000 armed with every kind of weapon of war.

All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king. They spent three days there eating and drinking with David, for their relatives had provided for them. And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.”

The longer Saul’s persecution of David continued, the more ridiculous it became and the more men deserted from Saul’s forces. Notice that many of the fiercest warriors who joined David were from Saul’s own tribe of Benjamin.  God was continuing to give David favor with the men of Israel; now look at the quality of the men joining David: archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin; They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: These Gadites were army commanders, the least of whom was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand. These are the ones who crossed the Jordan in the first month when it was overflowing all its banks, and they put to flight all those in the valleys, both to the east and to the west.”

Recently, the term “bad ass” has come into use in America to indicate someone or something that is powerful and performs well. These guys who were joining David were definitely all bad asses, the best of the fighting men of all Israel! And these men were not merely over – muscled lunks; “they knew times and seasons and knew the best course for Israel to take.” God was moving in the hearts of the Israelites and they recognized that it was time to crown David as king.

APPLICATION: Have you ever realized that God’s timing is split – second? C.H. Spurgeon once wrote a sermon in which he said that when it was time for the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, nobody could delay their leaving for as much as a single second beyond the time of God’s choosing. Now God has ordered David to move to Hebron and has also moved in the hearts of all these battle – hardened soldiers so that they are gathered there to crown David as king over Israel. If these men have so much perception, why haven’t they gathered around David sooner? God has allowed these men to gather gradually, but now King Saul and his sons are dead. There is nobody left to rule Israel, apart from David. It’s time to bring in the man whom God has fitted for this day.

God knows how to throw parties! Look at all the men who turned up from all parts of Israel and the people who spontaneously provided for them. These men were all “of one mind to make David king.” Through the years, there would be many more celebrations in Israel, but this one was one of the best because God was moving in people’s hearts. But some day, God is going to throw a party that will put all other celebrations in the shade.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.

 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:51 – 58)

When Jesus returns in glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, he will come in a cloud of blinding light with warrior angels to attend him. There will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more dark nights of the soul. Those men gathered in Hebron to crown David as king had a wonderful time, but their joy will pale in comparison with the joy of Jesus on the faces of those who love Him.

The men of Issachar knew times and seasons and knew the best course for Israel to take. Do we know the best course for our lives? Now is the time to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! Now is the time for us to confess our sins and to acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We can only act in the “now;” we have no other time promised to us. If the current pandemic has taught us little else, it should have taught us that any of us can sicken and die at any time. Don’t delay! Be like the men of Issachar and make right decisions. Follow Jesus!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. We do confess that we are sinners and that nothing we can do is good enough to pay for our sins. But we thank You for sending Jesus to die for us, so that we might have eternal life in heaven with You. Let all who read these words come to a saving knowledge of Your Grace. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

David’s Mighty Men (2 Samuel 23:8–39)

Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. This is the list of David’s mighty men: Jashobeam son of Hachmoni was chief of the officers; he wielded his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed at one time.

Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines gathered there for battle. At the place with a field full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. But Eleazar and David stationed themselves in the middle of the field and defended it. They struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

Three of the thirty chief men went down to David, to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!”

So the Three broke through the Philistine camp, drew water from the well at the gate of Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD, saying, “Far be it from me, my God, to do this! How can I drink the blood of these men who risked their lives?” Because they had brought it at the risk of their lives, David refused to drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty men. Now Abishai, the brother of Joab, was chief of the Three, and he lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name along with the Three. He was doubly honored above the Three, and he became their commander, even though he was not included among the Three.

And Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a man of valor from Kabzeel, a man of many exploits. He struck down two champions of Moab, and on a snowy day he went down into a pit and killed a lion. He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man five cubits tall. Although the Egyptian had a spear like a weaver’s beam in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club, snatched the spear from his hand, and killed the Egyptian with his own spear. These were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada, who won a name alongside the three mighty men. He was most honored among the Thirty, but he did not become one of the Three. And David appointed him over his guard.

Now these were the mighty men: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem, Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai j son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hurai from the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sachar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur, Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai, Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri, Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai, Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite, chief of the Reubenites, and the thirty with him, Hanan son of Maacah,

Joshaphat the Mithnite, Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, Jediael son of Shimri and his brother Joha the Tizite, Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite.”

No man is an island, and no leader can function without faithful supporters. Read this list, really think about these exploits, and prepare to be amazed! There are the Three, who loved David so much that when David expressed a longing for a drink of water from the well in his home town of Bethlehem, these three men broke through the camp of the Philistines occupying the town, drew water from the well, and then fought their way back through the Philistine camp back to David. David was so moved by this act of love and devotion that he refused to drink the water but poured it out as an offering to the Lord instead.

Then there was Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, a real – life super hero. Not only did Benaiah kill two Moabite champions but he also took on a huge Egyptian bearing an enormous spear. Carrying only a club, Benaiah snatched the Egyptian’s spear away from him and killed him with it. Benaiah’s biggest achievement was taking on a lion in a pit on a snowy day. With nowhere to hide, Benaiah leaped into the pit and killed the lion, turning him into a rug!

One of the saddest pieces of information is the list of other mighty men. Notice that Uriah the Hittite is included in the list of mighty men. Yes, that’s the same man who was married to Bathsheba, the man whose death David would eventually arrange to cover up the results of his adultery. Uriah wasn’t just any old soldier; he was a true hero. But Uriah wound up being killed to cover up David’s sin. How tragic!

APPLICATION: We all need heroes and heroines! Whether we follow sports teams, entertainers, or movie heroes and heroines, we all want good men and women to conquer succeed and conquer evil. Recently, movies featuring super heroes and heroines have become incredibly popular.

If we are followers of Jesus, we are followers of the greatest super hero of all time. As the Son of God, Jesus could have remained in heaven where he was King, but he chose to live as a man. Jesus raised the dead, healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed storms on the Sea of Galilee, and even walked on water. But Jesus’ biggest achievement was when he laid down his life, shedding his innocent blood for the sins of the world. And having died in all innocence, Jesus then rose from the dead, proving conclusively that he was the master over death as well as life.

There is no fictional super hero or heroine who does not have some flaw. Superman, for example, loses his strength when exposed to Kryptonite. But for Jesus Christ, there is no such thing as Kryptonite. Jesus has defeated death and the grave once and for all. For those of us who believe in Jesus, He is our ultimate super hero and worthy of all our worship!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

1 Chronicles 11:1 – 17 “Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’ ” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where David made a covenant with them before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6–11)

Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.” And Joab son of Zeruiah went up first, and he became the chief. So David took up residence in the fortress; that is why it was called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.”

King David did not begin his reign in Jerusalem, but in Hebron, a city of refuge and one of the cities given to the priests. Hebron was also the city that old Caleb at age 85 took by slaughtering the giants who lived there. All of Israel came to David and proclaimed him as king, citing God’s promises to David. But Hebron was in the south of Israel, and God wanted the capital to be in Jerusalem, which was more centrally located.

The original name of Jerusalem was Jebus and the Jebusites lived there. You have to pity the Jebusites at least a little! The Jebusites were so certain that their city was impregnable that they issued a foolish challenge to David. 2 Samuel 5:6 – 10 tells the story. “Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. The Jebusites said to David: “You will never get in here. Even the blind and lame can repel you.” For they thought, “David cannot get in here.”

Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”

So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward. And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.”

Although we are more familiar with the famous water tunnel built by King Hezekiah, years later, the Jebusites already had a water shaft that brought water, perhaps from the Gihon spring, into their city. This water shaft gave the Jebusites confidence that they could easily out – last any siege as long as they had sufficient food stores to match their water supply. But the Jebusites failed to realize that their secret water shaft was well known to others, and it was the very thing on which the Jebusites were relying that led to the capture of their city.   

Did David really despise the blind and the lame? Absolutely not! Remember that later on, David sought out Jonathan’s lame son Mephibosheth and took special care of him for Jonathan’s sake. But when the Jebusites issued such a taunting challenge, David felt honor – bound to meet it.

Once in Jerusalem, David wasted no time in improving the fortifications and building up walls. The original city of David was on the east slopes of Mount Moriah, so supporting terraces were definitely necessary. But the key to David’s success was not his battle strategies but the fact that God was with him in everything he was doing.

APPLICATION: This part of David’s story is very appealing because it is early in David’s reign and he is still relying completely on God. It was God who directed David to begin his reign in the city of Hebron and it is now God who has given David and his men victory over the Jebusites. Strictly speaking, the Jebusites should never have existed at this point. When Joshua and his men were conquering Canaan, the Jebusites were one of the groups marked for destruction. The day the sun stood still for Joshua the king of Jerusalem was one of the five kings against whom Joshua was fighting. Allegedly Joshua and his men conquered the Jebusites…. However, no mention is ever made of their having conquered Jerusalem itself. Now Jerusalem has fallen to David and his forces, and this city that God has chosen since time began will now become the heart of Israel.

Those of us familiar with the rest of David’s story might read these words and sigh! We know that once David has established himself, his success goes to his head and that success serves to separate him from God. But as we are musing over David’s story, we should be careful to look at ourselves.

In the beginning, David was the neglected runt in a family of big strong handsome sons. David’s father Jesse thought so little of David that he sent David out to guard sheep and goats, exposing him to attack by lions and bears. Little did anyone realize that it was that very isolation that would cause David to turn to God in the stillness of the wilderness. It was the challenges from wild animals that forced David to learn how to fight well and to become strong. If you aren’t very big, you become an expert with a slingshot, and David was an expert! Little did David realize that every time he was aiming a stone at a lion or a bear, he was practicing for the day when he would take on Goliath and win!

The difference between King Saul and King David was that of entitlement. Saul felt entitled to his kingship, while David did not. David fully realized that only God could have chosen him, while Saul somehow believed that he deserved to be king. God tells us that David was a man after God’s own heart. Saul was not.  

Entitlement does nothing good for anybody! For those who feel entitled, sooner or later, life will hand them some horrible shocks. The worst form of entitlement is the fixed belief that if one is a “good person,” one will somehow automatically be accepted into heaven. St. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.” All of us have a sin problem; this is why Jesus Christ had to live as a man and die a shameful death, shedding His innocent blood for the sins of the world. But forgiveness of sins is not automatic; we must truly believe that we are sinners and that we need that sacrifice for our salvation.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to live as a sinless man and to shed His Blood to pay for our sins. Help us to realize that none of us is entitled to anything apart from the salvation that Jesus has purchased for us. Help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.