Old Testament - 2 Samuel 5-7 - June 20, 2022

 6/20/2022 – 2 Samuel 5-7

Chapter 5

It was sad for me to follow Saul, who as a young man going after his father’s stray donkeys, showed such a strong work ethic, and such a strong faith and belief in Samuel, the prophet, and then see such a rapid downfall from his humility, his belief in the Lord and the Lord’s prophet, and in his desire to help others. He became a spiteful man, intent only on things that would help and elevate his status in the eyes of the word. 

And now we see David, who showed true and deep humility, an ability to forgive others who were cruel to him, and to follow the Lord and spread his testimony by his words and by his actions. 

As we look at both of these men, we would be wise to learn from them: 

1) Regardless of our past wonderful experiences, our spiritual strength depends on the choices we make today

2) I feel that my almost daily time spend in the scriptures truly sets the groove for my day

3) When we give way to temptation, we will see our spiritual help seep away

These early chapters of David cover his rise to kingship, his amazing efforts in wars against Israel’s enemies (he took back Jerusalem and he conquered the Philistines), and his wise judgment that is made with both justice and mercy as he governs his kingdom. V 10 in chapter 5 tells the reason for his rapid rise in power and action: “And David went on and grew great, the Lord God of hosts was with him.

5:19 “And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.” Then latter after this first battle with the Philistines: v 23 “And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees…”. V 25: And David did …as the Lord had commanded him…”

Chapter 6 

In chapter 6, we have David and the people moving the sacred Ark of the Covenant. It was placed in a new cart. At one point, the oxen slipped a bit and Uzzah, who was near the ark, reached out to steady it, and at that moment Uzzah was struck dead.  I found a quote by David O McKay that gives insight helps me to understand this as a prophet would: “It is a little dangerous for us to go out of our own sphere and try unauthoritatively to direct the efforts of a brother. You remember the case of Uzzah who stretched forth his hand to steady the ark. He seemed justified when the oxen stumbled in putting forth his hand to steady that symbol of the covenant. We today think his punishment was very severe. Be that as it may, the incident conveys a lesson of life. Let us look around us and see how quickly men who attempt unauthoritatively to steady the ark die spiritually. Their souls become embittered, their minds distorted, their judgment faulty, and their spirit depressed. Such is the pitiable condition of men who, neglecting their own responsibilities, spend their time in finding fault with others.”

The last part of chapter 6 tells of a celebration where they had made a sacrifice to the Lord, where they had given everyone “a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine” (v 19) And this was a time when David celebrated with a type of dancing that his wife rightly felt was not comely and was not modest. When she spoke to David about this, he let his anger and his pride speak for him. His actions, and his reactions to his wife, caused a separation between David and Michal for the rest of their lives.   This is why the Lord asks us to come unto Him every day in prayer…morning and evening.  It is in these times that we can discuss our successes and our failures of our day, and work with Him on how to do better in our tomorrows. And that will do much to keep us on the path we have chosen to walk with Him.

Chapter 7

David wants to build a beautiful and sturdy house for the Lord (instead of the tent that was its only house as the Israelites were in the desert), and as a place to hold and protect the Ark of the Covenant—as its purpose is to remind us of our covenants with the Lord. But Nathan, now the prophet, tells David that the Lord does not want David to be the one to build His house. In Chronicles 22:8, it indicates that it was due to the fact that David had seen too much war and bloodshed. But in 2 Samuel 7, the Lord does want to bestow a blessing on David’s house.

We skip some chapters in Come Follow Me, but if we were to study 2 Samuel 9 we would read that once David was secure on the throne in Jerusalem that he sought to heal old wounds and that his desire was to be kind to any of the house of Saul. 

I am glad that at that point, David had looked at his own life and was working to have kindness and helping others a part of his life again, and walk closer to the Lord’s paths. But then later came his reaction to his seeing Bathsheba….