May 20, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 2
Pray for God's direction in life's decisions
___2 Samuel 1:23-27; 2:1-7
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___This week begins a new unit theme on "David--Lessons on Faith and Frailty" (2 Samuel).
___The two books of Samuel are uninterrupted narratives in the Hebrew Bible. Second Samuel centers on the history of David's reign. Chapter 7 details the central theme with God establishing the Davidic covenant, which is the centerpiece of the Old Testament, the messianic hope of God's people. Jesus Christ is the everlasting fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (Luke 1:31-33).
___Second Samuel teaches God always is faithful and merciful. He expects faithfulness and righteous living from his people. In God's faithfulness and mercy, David ascended to the throne of Saul. David waited on God, and God was faithful to his promise.
___Christians can learn much from David's dependence on God. Though David was at the top of a career, he failed at times, but God remained faithful and merciful. David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14).
___Needing God's direction
___I am grateful to the Lord and Texas Baptists for the work of Baptist Student Ministry on more than 100 campuses throughout the state. Through the BSM, I discovered God's plan for my life. My BSM director, Rollin DeLap, a faithful servant of Christ, helped me discover God's will and begin a lifestyle of "hiding his word in my heart."
___Ascertaining God's direction for one's life is the most important discovery anyone can make. That direction begins with trusting Jesus as Savior. Seeking and following God's direction must follow accepting him as Lord of a person's life.
___David, in verses 23-27, was in need of God's direction. David was faithful and loyal to Saul in life and death. Though Saul tried to kill him on several occasions, David would not "touch God's anointed." Saul had scorned David in life, but David honored Saul's memory. David refused to consider the advice of his own followers who wanted him to take advantage of Saul's vulnerability on two occasions. David believed God would remove Saul in time, but he would wait on God's intervention (1 Samuel 24:6,11; 26:9-11).
___These verses conclude a dirge of David's lament for Saul and Jonathan. Though Saul was a miserable father, he had the loyalty of his son Jonathan (v. 23). David admired Jonathan as the most selfless person in Saul's family. Jonathan was kind and loyal to David. This friendship was unlike any other in David's life. Even his sons were not as loyal as Jonathan.
___Seeking God's direction
___David was in the land of the Philistines when they defeated the Israelites. Saul and Jonathan died on Mount Gilboa. The news of Saul's death reached David (1 Samuel 31). Later, an Amalekite fabricated another version of Saul's death, supposing David would reward him. He said he had killed Saul, who was dying from a fatal wound inflicted by the Philistines. This stranger was sadly mistaken.
___Realizing it was time to go back to his people, David made two important decisions: "David inquired of the Lord;" and he asked the Lord: "Where shall I go" (v. 1)? David had befriended many people in the towns of Judah (1 Samuel 30:26-31). But he sought God's direction to know where he should go first. The Lord's answer to him was that he should go to Hebron.
___The citadel of Hebron was significant in Hebrew history. Hebron is where Sarah died (Genesis 23). The 12 spies sent by Moses had visited there (Numbers 13:22) and it became one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7). God showed his faithfulness to David by leading him to Hebron, where his family was protected and he was made king of Judah.
___Following God's direction
___People often indicate a willingness to know God's direction for their lives. This lesson shows the importance of not only seeking his direction, but more importantly following his direction (vv. 2-7).
___When he was told to go to Hebron, David did not hesitate to go there with his two wives, along with the 600 men and their families for whom David had been responsible during the time he had fled from Saul. The Amalekites had taken David's wives and the families of his men captive when they raided Ziklag in the land of the Philistines. David's men were so distressed and bitter that they considered stoning him. "But David found strength in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6).
___It was at Hebron that the men of Judah came to anoint David king over the house of Judah (v. 4). David received more details concerning the death of Saul and Jonathan, that their bodies had been recovered by the men of Jabesh Gilead (v. 5).
___David immediately sent word to them commending their loyalty and kindness to Saul, who had rescued them from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11). Their loyalty and bravery had not gone unnoticed by David. He made them an offer to join the people of Judah who had made him their king. He promised God would show "kindness and faithfulness" to them and he would, too (v. 7). These actions indicate to us that David followed God's direction "one step at a time." God is always faithful. He requires faithfulness of his people.
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___Questions for discussion
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