October 19, 2021
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Reading along with us in 2 Samuel? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Samuel 23 (NIV)
David’s Last Words
1 These are the last words of David:
“The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse,
the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High,
the man anointed by the God of Jacob,
the hero of Israel’s songs:
2“The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel spoke,
the Rock of Israel said to me:
‘When one rules over people in righteousness,
2Samuel 23
These accounts of battles and significant figures in military history while may seem insignificant to us years and years later but they are the history of the Israelite people and must have been so significant to them. This made me think of us now looking at our own historical figures that had a hand in the building of the country we all appreciate today and yet we want to tear down monuments of people due to their personal lives and poor choices they made but is it the person we should be celebrating or the accomplishment to their country that is important. All men are flawed and God can do mighty things with the likes of us as we see so many times in the Bible. We need to focus on the value of the accomplishment not just the flaws of the men who helped make it happen.
2 Samuel 23
“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.”
David recognizes the character that a ruler should have. And he recognizes the imperfection of his own house, but relies on God’s faithfulness to the covenant.
It is right for David and us to recognize all that we have and all we are is because of God’s hand on us and we are far better off following Him and reaping the returns and benefits that He bestows. And when we follow God, all around us will benefit as well. And how significant these mighty men were to David and the people of Israel. God brought many victories through them and their bravery and skill were unparalleled. It is interesting the description that is given of the three and those who did the same kind of things as the three, but who were not given the designation of the three. It is far more important to do the work that is good and right than to have the title that says that you did.
It is also interesting how many non-Israelites there were amongst David’s band of brothers….