2 Samuel

     As the book of 1 Samuel comes to a close, Saul and his son Jonathan are killed in a battle against the Philistines.  The second book of Samuel opens with David receiving news of the battle's outcome.
     A man runs into David's camp with the report of the defeat of the Israelite army and the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.
     "How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?" David asks in 2 Samuel 1:5.
     The man explains that he had come upon Saul, who had been wounded by enemy arrows and had fallen on his own spear.  He had then killed Saul at the king's request.
     David has spent years fleeing from Saul.  On more than one occasion Saul has hurled a spear at David in an attempt to kill him.  Most of us would be relieved to know that Saul was dead, wouldn't we?
     But David's reaction is a little different.  Instead of rejoicing he tears his clothes and laments the loss of the Israelite king and his son.  This is not so surprising when we remember that, on two occasions, David has had an opportunity to kill Saul and has refused to do it.
     Not only is David not happy at the death of Saul; he orders the death of the man who actually took the king's life.
     After obtaining God's approval David goes to be anointed king to replace Saul.  But Ish-bosheth, a son of Saul, and Abner, commander of Saul's army do not give up without a fight.  Abner is killed through deception by Joab, David's commander.  The new king makes it clear that he does not approve of Joab's action and mourns the death of Abner.
     Then two men kill Ish-bosheth and bring his head to David.  Apparently they don't know much about David, and he reminds them of what happened to the man who killed Saul and brought the news to him.  David then orders the execution of Ish-bosheth's killers.
     Once again the king makes it clear that it is not right to take personal revenge.  On an earlier occasion, in 1 Samuel chapter 25, David almost allows his pride to cause him to carry out his own revenge.  But he is stopped by Abigail, the wife of the one he is going to kill.  In 1 Samuel 25:32-33 we read David's words of gratitude to Abigail.
     The attitude of not seeking personal revenge is one of the traits that causes David to be described in Acts 13:22 as, "a man after God's own heart."
     "Never pay back evil for evil," God instructs us in Romans 12:17.
     "Never take your own revenge," we are told in verse 19, "but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"
     Another thing that makes David a "man after God's own heart" is his unwavering trust in God.  This becomes evident in 1 Samuel chapter 17 when, as a boy, he depends on God to protect him against Goliath.
     The giant stands before the Israelite army day after day and taunts them with his challenges.  When David arrives to check on the welfare of his three oldest brothers, he confronts Goliath with a sling and five small stones.
     "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" Goliath complains in 1 Samuel 17:43.
     "Come to me," the nine and one-half foot tall man yells, "and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field."
     "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin," the shepherd boy says to the giant in verse 45, "but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted."
     Being a "man after God's own heart" demands dependence upon Him, and David certainly possesses this characteristic.
     After the death of Ish-bosheth the kingdom unites under David.  He captures the city of Jerusalem, including the nearby village of Bethlehem.  Hereafter the village is referred to as, "the city of David."
     One of the first things that David wants to do is bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.  During the trip Uzzah, one of the men who is leading the cart, reaches out to steady the ark when the oxen nearly upset the cart.  Uzzah is struck dead for his irreverence.  David becomes angry because of what the Lord has done to Uzzah.  He also develops a healthy respect for God and refuses to move the ark any farther for three months.  The ark is eventually carried on to Jerusalem and the king expresses a desire to build a house for it.
     God sends the message to David through the prophet Nathan that he is not to build a house for the ark.  The Lord indicates that a descendant of David will be allowed to erect such a house.
     David continues to defeat his enemies and to unify the kingdom of Israel.  He also seeks out Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, so he can extend kindness to him.  David restores the land of Saul to his grandson's possession.  Once again David demonstrates his preference for kindness over revenge.
     But, just because David is a "man after God's own heart," does it mean that he is perfect?  We'll find out after this song.

song

     We've noticed that being a man or woman "after God's own heart" involves not seeking revenge.  It requires a dependence upon God.  But does it mean that such a person must be perfect?  If it does, then David is excluded.
     We know, of course, that all people sin.
     "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23 tells us.
     "If we say we have not sinned," 1 John 1:10 instructs, "we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
     So we know that David is not free from sin.  But the Bible does not simply leave us to assume that David is a sinner.  It actually points out a few of his sins to us.  This is one of many things that sets the Bible apart from other so-called "holy books."  While they may portray their heroes in all their glory, the Bible tells of the weaknesses along with the strengths.
     "Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house," we read in 2 Samuel 11:2-4, "and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.
     "So David sent and inquired about the woman.  And one said, 'Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
     "And David sent messengers and took her," the passage continues, "and when she came to him, he lay with her."
     As soon as David learns that Bathsheba is pregnant, he calls Uriah back from the battlefield with the hope that the soldier will think that the child is his.  But Uriah refuses to enter his comfortable home as long as his companions are camping in the field.  Instead, he sleeps at the door of David's house.
     His loyalty makes it even more difficult for us to understand what David does next.  The king has Uriah sent to a position in battle where he is certain to be killed.  Then David takes Bathsheba as his own wife.
     Once again God sends Nathan to David with a message.  This time the message involves David's sins of adultery and murder.
     No, it is not being a murderer and adulterer that makes David a "man after God's own heart."   But it is David's reaction to his sin that sets him apart.  He immediately acknowledges his sin and repents of it.
     The child dies, but David and Bathsheba later have a son named Solomon.  This is the son who inherits the throne from David.
     Much of the remainder of the book of 2 Samuel deals with the rebellion of Absalom, one of David's sons, against his father.  David is forced to flee from Jerusalem.  When Absalom is killed in battle, David mourns his death.
     "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!" David laments in 2 Samuel 18:33.  "Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"
     Through all of David's trials, beginning with Saul and continuing through Absalom, David continues to praise the Lord and seek His guidance.
     "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;" David sings in 2 Samuel 22:2-4, "My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge: my savior, Thou dost save me from violence.
     "I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; And I am saved from my enemies."
     "For Thou art my lamp, O Lord;" the psalmist notes in 2 Samuel 22:29-31, "And the Lord illuminates my darkness.
     "For by Thee I can run upon a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall.
     "As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
     David understands, doesn't he?  He relies upon the word of the Lord, the truth.  And he knows that this truth is able to set him free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission." (www.lockman.org)