June 3, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for June 16
EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Effective leaders of people faithfully follow God
___ 2 Samuel 5:1-12
___By Roy Cotton
___BGCT DFW/Metroplex Church Starting Center Consultant
___David, a "man after God's own heart," was faithful to God's leadership in his life. This week's lesson emphasizes the reason "he became more and more powerful" was because "the Lord God Almighty was with him" (v. 10).
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__As believers in the Lord Jesus, we must be completely committed to him and faithful at all levels of responsibility. David was obedient in carrying out his responsibilities as shepherd of his father's sheep, a brave soldier in Saul's army and later as a commander. He always acknowledged God's gifts and guidance in his political and military leadership.
___The LifeWay commentator suggests a two-fold outline for 2 Samuel 5:1-12: Growing in service (vv. 1-5), and acknowledging God's purposes (vv. 6-12). From these we are encouraged to lead faithfully as we grow in service and acknowledge God's purposes.
___Growing in service
___The Lord told David to take up residence in Hebron for the beginning of his career. Hebron was an important city among the people of Judah. David lived there for seven and a half years while reigning over the house of Judah. David had shown integrity in waiting on God's timing and promises. He had not condoned the assassinations of Ish-Bosheth and Abner, even though their deaths removed the last contention to his becoming the new ruler of Israel.
___The elders of Israel noticed how David had led the nation in appropriate mourning. The people of Judah must have felt some relief that their king had nothing to do with the deaths of his rivals. Judah and Israel were pleased with David's integrity and leadership (3:36-37).
___With all they knew about him, the house of Israel realized their best plan of action would be to anoint David king of Israel with Judah. After all, they were David's "own flesh and blood" (v. 1). They took the initiative and made the trip down to Hebron (v. 1).
___They were encouraged to anoint David as the ruler of the united people for the following reasons: They were united through blood kinship (v. 1); David had successfully led military campaigns for Saul (v. 2); and the prophetic revelations were that David would "shepherd" the Lord's "people Israel and become their ruler" (v. 2).
___The elders of Israel were reassured the prophetic revelations had named them the Lord's possession, "my people" (v. 2). After years of weak leadership, they were in need of a shepherd-leader.
___David was a shepherd. The responsibility of a shepherd is that of protecting, leading, tending and nourishing sheep (Psalm 23). They needed this kind of leadership. Robert Bergen states: "The king-as-shepherd image has paternalistic overtones; shepherds are responsible for sheep, not sheep for the shepherd."
___It was Abner who sought to convince Israel's elders "to make David your king. Now do it" (3:17-18a)! At Hebron, "they anointed David king over Israel" (v. 3). This was the will of God for David and for God's people. David was a faithful leader who led with integrity and faithfulness.
___Acknowledging God's
___purposes
___David was anointed king of the united people. He decided the first official action should be setting up a more strategic location for the capital city. However, he had a major obstacle to overcome--the Jebusites (v. 6). Bergen states they were "a banned Canaanite group" (Exodus 23:23; 33:2; 34:11). The tribes of Benjamin and Judah had not been successful in earlier campaigns to remove them (Joshua 15:63; Judges 1:21).
___The Jebusites thought that because of the natural and fortified defenses surrounding the city of Jebus (later called, Jerusalem), they were beyond an invasion. They derided David that "even the blind and lame can ward you off" (v. 6). But he came up with a strategy to first capture "the fortress of Zion" (v. 7). This was their stronghold and the source of their confidence.
___Their derision strengthened David's resolve and made him even more determined to conquer the Jebusites. He studied the operation and found a strategic plan of action would require the use of the water shaft to get into the walled city (v. 8). That was the reason why even the blind and lame could keep them out.
___The plan was successful, and David "took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David" (v. 9). Because the city was built on a narrow hill, David also needed to build up the terrain around it "from the supporting terraces inward" (v. 9).
___David was still a young man, had an impressive record of military successes and was at the top of a career, leading the united Israel and Judah. Yet he was not conceited and impressed with his political and military successes. He remembered who he was and what he was before the Lord elevated him. David knew whose he was. "And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him" (v. 10).
___Believers must be faithful in little things if we want God to trust us with greater things. By faithfully handling our God-given responsibilities, we will grow to take on greater responsibilities. We are not waiting for selected positions, but leading faithfully in all things. "Expect great things from God, and attempt great things for God."
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___Questions for discussion
___ What great things are you attempting for God?
___ What great things do you expect from God?
___ What are the responsibilities unique to your church?
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