Good Morning Friends - sorry about the missing link to today's reading. Biblegateway is not working for me this morning. However, if you sans Bible today and need to read it from the computer, go to either http://www.biblegateway.com/ or http://www.crosswalk.com/ to find today's reading on-line.
So here are some brief Saturday morning thoughts on today's reading, centered around 2 Samuel 2:1-7. In these brief passages, we see so many characteristics in David that make him worthy of being called King.
We first look at verses 1-2. David has just found out that Saul is dead - and so he knows that the time for him to be King has come. The key phrases in these verses are 'David inquired of the Lord', 'The Lord Said', 'David asked', and 'So David went up'. It is in these phrases that we find the first kingly characteristics - submissiveness and obedience. What? A submissive, obedient king? That's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it? Human standards would say that people are to submit to and obey the king and that the king rules are and must submit to no one. But David knew something that all rulers, leaders, and men should know - that God is King and ruler above all. He knew that the wisdom of God, the plans of God, the purposes of God are above those of humans. And so he submitted to the wisdom of God in the way that he should step into the purpose for which God had called him. He did not presume to return to the Philistine territory to assume the kingship promised him, without seeking the Lord's guidance. Should we not do the same?
The next characteristics we see are wisdom, compassion, and respect. In verses 4-7, we see David using wisdom in the way he honors Saul. This sends such a strong message to the people he would rule as he recognizes and respects the loyalty they surely felt for their former King. Every good leader will always respect those who have come before them. In addition, he earns respect and approval from those he leads by giving them favor and respect. Having the support of followers is dependent upon respecting them and acknowledging the good that they do. He invites their support - he does not demand it.
Just a little something to think about as you watch David become King - how does David compare to Christ as King? Can you see the similarities? David is a man to watch and learn from - in his wisdom, in his submission and obedience, in his leadership, in is heart for God and unashamed worship - and even in his mistakes. I pray God teaches you many things as you get to know your brother David.
Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels
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