Year 1, Week 35, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 35, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 104.

Today’s reading returns us to 2 Samuel as the account of David resumes. 2 Samuel 5 marks the beginning of David’s rule over all of Israel: “At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years” (2 Samuel 5:5). Many years after Samuel anointed David as king over Israel (see 1 Samuel 16), all of Israel are united around the LORD’s will: “In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel’” (2 Samuel 5:2). As the reign of David formally begins, there is much hope found in how David starts. Psalm 104 extols the LORD’s abundant provision of all that He made and for all that He made: “O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…These all look to you, to give them their food in due season” (Psalm 104:24,27).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the LORD’s provision of a king over His people, who would serve His people in a fashion that reflects the LORD Himself: “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand” (Psalm 78:70-72). The LORD, who as King over all that He made, is a good king toward all that He has made: “You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst…You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth” (Psalm 104:10-11,14). So it just seems consistent that when the LORD installed a king over his people, He would install a king who would work and serve on behalf of His people: “And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel” (2 Samuel 5:12). While human leaders often seek office for the power to better themselves, the LORD’s plan for human leaders is to better others. David, as king, was to serve Israel for the sake of Israel.

One of the first things that we notice about David serving for the sake of Israel is how he protected and defended Israel: “When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David…And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there…And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer” (2 Samuel 5:17,20a,25). The LORD is the protector and defender of His people. But the LORD works through human agency. David was installed as king by the LORD to protect and defend as the LORD would. In fact, the interplay, in today’s reading, between David as protector and defender and the LORD as protector and defender is clear. As the LORD sends David out to battle, He also underscores to David that He would go before David into battle: “And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines” (2 Samuel 5:24).

Another thing that we notice about David serving for the sake of Israel is how he provides guidance and direction to Israel. David models how guidance and direction are found in seeking the LORD: “Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand” (2 Samuel 5:18-19). David led Israel by following the LORD. And as David obeyed the LORD and a victory was granted, David was quick to model who deserved the credit for it: “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood” (2 Samuel 5:20b). As the Philistines continued to threaten Israel, David continued to seek guidance and direction from the LORD: “And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees” (2 Samuel 5:22-23). David guided Israel by following the very tactical directions that the LORD provided. David, as king, was to serve for the sake of Israel, in the manner that the LORD would prescribe. Thus, Israel’s king would model how to live before the LORD.

But David was not a perfect king. Today’s reading introduces us to choices that David made that would complicate and even impair his work as king for the sake of Israel. In violation of the Law (see Deuteronomy 17:17), David added still more wives and concubines: “And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David” (2 Samuel 5:13). While the text from today’s reading is not explicit, we can read what is stated as a subtle disapproval that will become more obvious as time goes on. David’s faithful start will not be as strong at the end. The perfect king would not be found in David himself, but the LORD will provide a perfect King through a descendant of David. David gives us a glimpse and a preview of greater things.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe