Hope Alliance Bethlehem

As David leaves Jerusalem into temporary exile, he encounters manipulation, accusation, beating and betrayal.  And yet he places his hope in a God who might look upon his misery (iniquity) and restore blessing to him.  We are reminded of Jesus' journey from the Last Supper to the cross and his willingness to place his hope in God's ultimate plan.

When Absalom's scheming toward the throne gains momentum, David finds himself on the run and toward exile.  And in the midst of the consequence of his sin, we see a renewed David trusting God's goodness, serving those around him and in so doing, compelling even outsiders to follow him.

The story of Amnon's rape of Tamar is chilling.  And yet, not overly surprising in light of his father David's story in the preceding chapter.  The Bible tells us through assertion and story that there is a generational component to sin whose only answer is to enter and embrace the new family of God made possible through Jesus.

How does God respond to David's shocking fall?  With truth and grace.  He speaks the truth about what David has done and its consequences.  And this rebuke is a gracious act that enables David a path to repentance and restoration.

In shocking fashion, King David, who had been known by covenant faithfulness to God and led Israel to considerable victories, lost a very different kind of battle.  His lust for power led to complete moral failure.  And we are reminded as humanity that our hearts are desperately broken and in need of God's restoration.

David's act of kindness to the Ammonites is misunderstood and a major battle ensues.  With the army surrounded, Joab suggests a radical battle plan - trusting in the support of those around us and in the goodness of God.  

In David's embrace of Mephibosheth, we get a beautiful picture of God's kindness toward us.  He pursues us and calls us by name - not for judgment, but because of his love for us.  He takes the shame of our past and gives us new identity as sons and daughters and a place at his table forever.

As we continue in 2 Samuel chapter 8, we see that God gives David the victory wherever he went, and we learn what it means to experience victory in our own lives as well.

When David wants to build God a house, God's response is stunning.  Not only does he not want David to build him a house, but God will instead build David a house.  This unfailing promise and covenant gives the perfect picture of who God is and would be ultimately fulfilled by Jesus' arrival as the ultimate king.

The coming together of Israel under David as king demonstrates the realization of the covenant that God had first made with Abraham - a nation, a land and his presence.  It's the presence of God that moves in power, guidance and protection for his people and demands a response of worship from them.  How do we respond to the presence of God with us?