Read 2 Samuel 3:1
Highlights:
The house of Saul continues to war against the house of David (II Sam. 3:1). Abner deserts Ish-bosheth to join David; Joab murders Abner; Ish-bosheth murdered; David declared king of all Israel; the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) is captured.
Seven-and-one-half years after David was anointed king of Judah, then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. . . . the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed My people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. . . . and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign. . . . In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah (II Sam. 5:1-5). David's first anointing was by Samuel. After that he was anointed king of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. His third anointing was by the Northern Kingdom, uniting the two kingdoms. This marked one of the greatest days in Israel's history.
David's first act after his anointing by the assembled tribes was to become head of his army and lead the war against the stronghold of the Jebusites. The Israelites defeated them and Jerusalem became the capital of the United Kingdom.
Before David united the 12 tribes, he had endured a trying 20 years since his anointing by Samuel. Through the discipline of daily difficulties, God was preparing David to be His faithful servant — a man after His (the Lord's) own heart (I Sam. 13:14).
We are impressed with David's humble willingness to obey the Commands of God without reservation. David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt Thou deliver them into mine hand (II Sam. 5:19).
It is time for us to take a serious look at the years of adversity and discipline that tested David's loyalty and developed his faith in God.
Your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own (to do as you please) (I Cor. 6:19). Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (10:31).
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (II Tim. 2:3-4).
Thought for Today:
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne (Rev. 3:21)).
Christ Portrayed:
By David, the anointed king over Israel (II Sam. 5:3). Christ is the Lord's anointed. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah (Anointed One) (Ps. 2:2; John 1:41). Jesus is the rightful King of the earth. Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. . . . and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin (John 19:19-20).
Word Studies:
3:1 waxed grew; 3:10 translate transfer; 3:12 league covenant; 3:27 smote stabbed; 3:31 bier a stand for carrying a corpse; 4:2 reckoned to considered part of; 5:8 getteth up to the gutter enters the city through the water tunnel; 5:23 fetch a compass circle around.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Mrs. Sam Stipp • Government Official: Rep. Tim Walberg (MI) • Country: Cape Verde (405,000) 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles off the coast of Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Crioulo • Religious freedom • 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for those in authority over you (I Tim. 2:1-2).
Optional Reading: Acts 13:1
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:10
