2 Samuel 24:1-25

Our series through 1 and 2 Samuel concludes today on an encouraging note.  While we may not always fully understand challenging passages of Scripture, we do well to look to other, clearer passages to help us make sense.  Because of God’s character displayed through the whole of Scripture, we can gladly follow him even in uncertainty.  When we recognize the sinful posture of our hearts, as with King David, may we cultivate tender consciences and cast ourselves upon Yahweh’s covenant mercy, publicly bearing witness to his utter faithfulness to accomplish his kingdom purposes.

2 Samuel 23:8-39

There are many unhelpful ways one might relate to their past.  Today as we hear so many names of those who came before us, we see an emphasis on covenant relationship within the family of God.  We recognize that our hope is rooted in the name Jesus gives us when he calls us his own.  His Spirit works to order our loves as he leads us into love for our church community.  We are reminded that we’re never truly alone as we stand in the line of God’s people of the past, of our current community and of the kingdom that he continues to build even through weakness.

2 Samuel 23:1-7

David’s final words in today’s text look backward at what Yahweh has been building from his first promise in Genesis of the one who would come to crush the serpent’s head, and anticipates the future fulfillment in Christ of God’s everlasting covenant with his people.  May we treasure the oracle of God, his revealed word to us, understanding that God’s anointed ruler brings human flourishing not only in David’s time but even more under the rule and reign of King Jesus.  Even now he is at work restraining evil to a certain degree, while promising judgment to come upon those who oppose him.  Thanks be to God that for those who are in Christ, our judgment has already been poured out upon Jesus at the cross so we need not fear condemnation.

2 Samuel 22:1-51

David’s covenant song reprises the faithful character and activity of Yahweh.  He recalls the intensely personal act of the infinite God in saving him.  He rejoices in the unchanging consistency of Yahweh’s righteousness.  He rests in the actions of God working through him.  For those of us who are in Christ by faith, we, too, can look back on our own salvation, remembering Yahweh’s righteousness and rest in his provision, consistency and covenant faithfulness.

2 Samuel 21:15-22

The covenant strength of Yahweh’s people is found in the keeper, the community and the conviction.  As for the nation of Israel in David’s day, so today we may also have confidence that the God of the covenant will continue to grow us in personal sanctification, even as he calls us to bear one another’s burdens in community (Hebrews 10:24-25).  As we continue to walk by faith and not by sight, the Spirit continues to convict us that Jesus is Lord to equip us for this life of faith.

Matthew 13:31-33

From today’s parable we learn that, in the kingdom of heaven, God often takes seemingly weak, small and insignificant things to accomplish his purposes and grow his kingdom.  He grows the church not merely for its own sake, but to make it a blessing to the nations.  May we not despise the day of small things, but rather rejoice in how Yahweh is at work building his kingdom (Zechariah 4:10).

2 Samuel 21:1-14

In the Scriptures, covenants carry both blessings for faithful fulfillment, but also covenant curses for transgression.  In today’s text, King David’s actions demonstrate the great cost in dealing with the curse, as the shedding of blood was required.  Then, in his kindness in the memory of the house of Saul, he also illustrates a beautiful picture of grace replacing shame.  The justice and mercy of David point us toward our greater King Jesus, who by his own blood turned away the just wrath of God that our sins deserved, and covered them over completely.

2 Samuel 20:1-26

Today’s passage shows competing trumpet calls.  The first one from Sheba, declares that he has no inheritance in God’s kingdom and shows him going his own way, one that leads to death.  At the end of the chapter, Joab’s trumpet demonstrates that the Lord has preserved his inheritance on the path that leads to life.  Today we, too, need to be preserved as the people chosen by Yahweh as his inheritance.  By weekly observation of the Sabbath in gathered worship, we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and we are not, as we follow him until that final trumpet call when he gathers us to eternal life in his presence.

2 Samuel 19:8-43

Today’s text reveals a gaping wound in the leadership of Israel, with the pain of an absent king radiating throughout the entire kingdom.  Absalom is dead and David remains in exile.  Although hard to see at first how God will accomplish his purposes, Yahweh sustains his people as he begins the healing process with David’s victorious return to the throne.  Similarly in the church today, the wound of sin is grievous, and yet Christ died to redeem us so that by his wounds we are healed, even as we look forward to the final consummation of his kingdom when he comes again.

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8

Ever since the Fall, thorns and thistles have been a part of our lives and relationships in this world.  Although the outworking of God’s justice is not pleasant in the moment, it is a good thing that he is at work delivering us from sin.  Following the death of his son Absalom, Joab challenges the mourning king David to be disciplined so that he can be the king the people need him to be.  This looks forward to king David’s greater son Jesus who came to be our redeemer king