Week 80, Day 4: Ish-bosheth Murdered
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 4:1-12
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
After Abner is killed things just fall apart for Ish-bosheth. It sounds like from this account that Ish-bosheth was no “mighty man” and that Abner kept everything together for him. So with Abner gone things look very bleak for Ish-bosheth. One day these two men who are supposed to be commanders among his troops come in and strike Ish-bosheth and cut off his head. This does not seem to indicate that all of his troops wanted Ish-bosheth killed but these men came in by stealth and struck before they could be stopped.
David continues to display integrity and a great sense of honor in all his dealings. When these wicked men bring Ish-bosheth’s head to him, David addresses their wickedness and has them killed. Such acts of justice would spread among David’s men so that they knew what was expected of them and what kind of actions were not tolerated. I see in David’s actions a clear reflection of why a righteous ruler draws forth the godly. A righteous ruler does not mean that evil never happens again, but it does mean that the wicked have someone to fear and the godly have someone to rally around.
Question: Should David not have rejoiced that his enemy was now dead?
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Week 80, Day 2: Divided kingdom
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2:1-32
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
David asks God what he should do and the Lord directs him to go up to Hebron. There Judah makes him king over them. There are quick references such as these that emphasize how David sought after God’s council. On the other hand you have Abner and Ish-bosheth. They continue after Saul’s example and will not accept that God has chosen to replace Saul as the king.
When the fighting begins it is clear that David’s men are superior. Whether this is because God strengthens them or because they are better men of war, David begins to gain the upper hand by his military victories. It is sad to see how many men died because some would not accept what God planned for His people. This is what happens though when men do not seek out God’s guidance. Had Abner and Ish-bosheth been willing to ask God like David did, then many men would not have lost their lives. But you have to be seeking to please God to inquire of him. These men were clearly not seeking to do God’s will but to do their own.
Question: How do we prevent ourselves from just following our own pursuits and instead pursuing God’s ways?
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