Christlike Trust (2 Samuel 4)
1 When Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed.
- It was an unstable time in Israel.
2 Now Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth also is counted part of Benjamin; 3 the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day).
- Ishbosheth’s men, Baanah and Rechab, were still alive.
4 Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
- A little note is given about Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. He would have been considered unfit for leadership in that era.
- He was five years old: When Saul and Jonathan died, so now he is around age 13, because David has been king of Judah for 7 1/2 years.
- We will see him later.
- But the author seems to include him here to indicate he was not an impediment to the throne.
5 Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. 6 And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 When they came into the house [now a more detailed record of how they did it], as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah [30 miles or so] all night [to avoid detection], 8 and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.”
- Brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron: Obviously thinking he would favor them for their act.
- But the reader (including us) remembers what happened to the Amalekite who announced to David that he’d ended Saul’s life (2 Samuel 1:1-16).
9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, 10 when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?”
- 11 How much more: David considered their crime greater.
- Ishbosheth was righteous, while Saul had evil intentions.
- Ishbosheth was in his own house, while Saul was on the battlefield.
- Ishbosheth was on his bed, while Saul was armored for war.
- So if David thought it treasonous and worthy of capitol punishment when a person killed an armored king on the battlefield who had wicked intentions to begin with, certainly he would see Rechab and Baanah’s act as worse.
12 And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.
- 12 Hands and feet / hanged: The hands that killed Ishbosheth, along with the feet that ran with his head, were put on display for all to see.
- It is good to learn from examples of unrighteousness.
- Notice David’s first word of response:
- 2 Samuel 4:9 (ESV) — 9 “…As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity…”
- David believed God was living, and that he had delivered David out of every trouble.
- God lives: Remember his word about Goliath?
- 1 Samuel 17:26 (ESV) — 26 And David said to the men who stood by him, “…who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
- Deliverance: Remember his word to Abishai?
- 1 Samuel 26:10–11 (ESV) — 10 And David said, “As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed…”
- David’s conclusion: He didn’t needed Rechab and Baanah’s help, for God was with him. He would receive the kingdom from God, not them. He would not take the kingdom, but receive the kingdom.
- David’s trust seems emblematic of Jesus’ attitude.
- God lives: Remember his word about Goliath?
- John 17:4–5 (ESV) — 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
- Luke 1:32 (ESV) — 32 …And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David…
- Matthew 11:27 (ESV) — 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father…
- Luke 22:29 (ESV) — 28 …I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom…
- John 6:39 (ESV) — 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
- Wouldn’t you love to have that Christlike spirit in you, the one which doesn’t have to strive to get, but simply receives and obeys?
Christ Our Shepherd King (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
1 Then all the tribes of Israel [not only Judah] came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’ ” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
- 4-5 David was anointed as king of all Israel.
- Age 30: Over Judah.
- Age 37.5: Over all Israel.
- Age 70: Death.
- The celebration was fairly large.
- 1 Chronicles 12 gives more detail and recounts how over 300K soldiers from all the tribes came to David.
- They came arrayed in battle order.
- They ate and drank an abundant supply of food for three days.
- Israel stated three reasons to make David their king.
- 1 We are your bone and flesh.
- 2 In times past, it was you who led out and brought in Israel.
- 3 The LORD said to you, “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.”
- I desire Jesus for the same reasons.
- 1 He became human, of my bone and flesh.
- Hebrews 2:14 (ESV) — 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
- 2 He won a great victory, followed by more victories.
- 3 He offers himself as my Shepherd King.
- John 10:27 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice [election], and I know them [relationship], and they follow me [obedience].
- Celebrate your King!
- One day we will celebrate our King!
Christ’s Imperial Plan (2 Samuel 5:6-16)
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.”
- The Jebusites had inhabited Jerusalem for many years and, though they were meant to be driven out by Israel, they couldn’t be defeated (see Joshua 15:63, Judges 1:21).
- The Jebusites mocked David by saying the disabled of their people could defend Jerusalem against David.
7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” [a proverb about his enemies in general, not about the blind and lame] 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. [likely filled in some of the valleys to enlarge the city]
10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. [expansion of Jerusalem] 12 And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
- This serves as more evidence David became greater and greater (10).
- Jerusalem taken.
- King Hiram of Tyre’s support.
- Family expansion.
- The taking of Jerusalem:
- Jerusalem would make a strategic capitol city:
- In between Judah and Israel.
- Never before defeated.
- Comparing this account with the 1 Chronicles 11 account, it seems David promised an exalted military position to whoever could develop a strategy for taking Jerusalem.
- Joab found the water supply, and a shaft to get through, and led the charge in defeating Jerusalem for David.
- It became known as the city of David and Zion.
- But the taking of Jerusalem is a significant biblical moment. This city captured the minds and hearts of Israel.
- David had plans for this city, plans which were partly, but never fully or permanently realized.
- The ark was moved there, and eventually a permanent temple was built there.
- It’s health became an indicator of all Israel’s health. It’s sickness indicated all Israel’s sickness. God would pour out blessings, but also judgment, upon it.
- Prophecies and judgements from God.
- Jesus was crucified there.
- He wept for it, saying — Luke 19:44 (NLT) — 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”
- And it was eventually destroyed (70AD).
- Though the earthly Jerusalem is a source of contention today, believers look for the heavenly version.
- Hebrews 12:22 (ESV) — 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…
- Hebrews 13:14 (ESV) — 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
- How is the temple doing in you?
- Revelation 21:10, 22-25 (ESV) — 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, /// 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
- Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Christ’s Methodology (2 Samuel 5:17-25)
- 1 Samuel began with war with the Philistines, and now another large war with them takes place.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold.
- When the Philistines heard: They discover Israel has organized. They now have one united nation. And David is no loner a vassal for the Philistines.
- Unity of God’s people leads to war with the real enemy.
18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
- The Valley of Rephaim: 3-4 miles southwest of Jerusalem. This location might have been intended to separate Israel and Judah.
19 And David inquired of the LORD [with the ephod], “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away [the idea: to destruction].
- 20 Baal-perazim: The lord who breaks out, applied here to God.
- 21 Carried them away: A reversal of conditions at the beginning of 1 Samuel, when the Philistines carried away the ark of the LORD (1 Samuel 4:11).
22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.
- Again: Same story, second verse. The enemy will try again.
23 And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
- 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees: The LORD would go out before them.
- 23 You shall not go up: As opposed to his previous instructions, “go up” (v 19).
- Here, God did not do it the same way twice.
- Example: The method Jesus used to heal blindness.
- Matthew 9:27-30 — Do you believe? He touched their eyes.
- Mark 8:22-26 — Spit on his eyes. Laid hands. Do you see anything? Trees. Once more. Everything clearly.
- Mark 10:46-52 What do you want me to do for you? Jesus spoke. Go your way, your faith has made you well.
- John 9 Mud. Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.
- Last words of Matthew — Matthew 28:20 (ESV) — 20 “…I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- His method? He is with us.
- Perhaps he wants us to need him.