Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Year 7, Day 319: 2 Samuel 2

Theological Commentary: Click Here


I find this chapter interesting in that we get a glimpse of humanity from multiple directions.  First, David comes to God and asks his will.  God tells David to go up and be anointed as king.  David obeys.  As he does, he calls out the people who cared for Saul’s dead body and praises them for doing so.  David accepts the role of leadership with grace towards his enemies.

In contrast, we get to see Abner.  Abner doesn’t consult God.  Abner takes one of Saul’s malformed sons and lifts him up as king.  Abner may be loyal to Saul.  Abner may simply enjoy his position of power and not want to relinquish it.  Either way, Abner does not react with grace towards his opponents or towards God.  It ends with war among the tribes.

We can learn much from the contrasting actions.  However, what I think is really telling is that this whole situation arises because the people demanded a king in the first place.  When we look back at the time of the Judges, the Hebrew people were not fighting with each other.  They had their issues, but they were external rather than internal.  When the people were under God, they were united.  Now, however, they are desperately concerned about human leadership and human authority.  They are concerned about authority, power, greed, domination, rank, etc.  It’s interesting to note how the people fall as their desire to be under God wanes.

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