Day 92

King of Judah

Read: 2 Samuel 1-3

The book of 2 Samuel tells us of the rule of David as king. When David hears of the death of Saul and Jonathan, he is filled with sincere grief. He writes a lament with the theme “How are the mighty fallen!” We should all grieve rather than gloat when we hear of the fall of a religious leader or the decline of a once prominent church. How truly sad when such things happen. How we must be on our guard lest we also fall.

David is now made king of Judah while Ish-bosheth, a son of Saul, is made king of the northern tribes. We see here a division which will reappear after the death of Solomon. It is God’s will that his people should be united. In John 17, Jesus prayed that all true Christians “may be one.” In the tension between the unity and the purity of the church, we must hold both in high regard. Christians are far too ready to split from their fellow Christians. The doctrine of the unity of the church is a fundamental biblical doctrine.

This transition in Israel’s leadership is also a time of intrigue and murder. Abner is the power behind the throne of Ish-bosheth, and Joab, the general of David’s forces, murders him. Joab was a very capable person, but he was also to be a thorn in David’s side throughout his reign. Most of us have difficult people to work with. May God give us wisdom to deal with them judiciously and whenever possible constructively.

PRAYER
Father, may there be peace and purity in the church for which your Son gave his precious blood. May we be instruments to help produce such spiritual health. In Jesus’ name. Amen.