May 9, 2014 (Friday)
The Book of 2 Samuel tells the story of David’s reign as king. He is annointed king upon the deaths of Saul and his sons, and reigns for seven years in Hebron then for thirty-three years over all Israel. Perhaps his fondest memory was bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. His saddest was likely the death of his son, Absalom, who tried to take away the throne for himself. He grieved over the incest and rape involving other children. He repented of his own sins of adultery and murder and God called him “a man after my own heart,” meaning David loved what God loved, and saw things His way. He never dabbled in idolatry. He wanted to build a temple for God, but was forbidden to do so because “he was a man of war.” Instead, he drew the plans for his son Solomon, who would build it and dedicate it.
2 Samuel – Devotional thoughts
The detailed account of David’s sins was further proof that the Bible did not whitewash the reputations of God’s people. “Tell it like it is” was the way the Word of God handled the historical facts. We may as well be truthful with God about our motives as well as our actions, because He sees and knows all about us. Let us confess and forsake our sins, as did King David.
David’s ecstasy as he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem was an expression of pure joy at the thought of honoring God in this way. Pleasing God made him happy. What makes us happy?
When David was crowned as king, he had no regrets about how he had arrived at that place in his life. He had had several opportunities to express his bitterness over Saul’s unfair and vicious treatment, but he refused to be vindictive. Let us remember if we are contemplating revenge, that judgment belongs to the Lord.