1 Samuel 1-4
At the end of 1 Samuel, both Saul and Jonathan lie dead, Jonathan from battle wounds, Saul from falling on his own sword.
Now David has a clear path to power; he should be king in no time, right? Wrong!
Only one of the 12 tribes is loyal to David; the other tribes anoint Ish-Bosheth, a son of Saul, as their king. And these first four chapters of 2 Samuel deal with the dark and disturbing series of events that take place during the time when God’s people have two kings.
When a man comes to David, taking credit for killing Saul; David asks, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed?” and executes him on the spot. There follows David’s poignant lament for his king and his friend.
David’s tribe anoints him king, and civil war breaks out. There is intrigue between David’s general, Joab. And Ish-bosheth’s general, Abner. Abner killed Joab’s brother in battle, but when he is falsely accused by Ish-bosheth of an indiscretion, he switches sides and comes over to David. Joab wastes no time in murdering Abner, and David laments how “strong and strong-willed” his general is (2 Samuel 3:39).
Finally, Ish-bosheth is murdered, and the murderes report to David expecting a reward. (Apparently, they hadn’t heard about the messenger who had reported Saul’s death!) Daivd has them executed as well!
Murder, lust for power, intrigue and civil war; it’s an inauspicious beginning to David’s reign.
Tomorrow, David centers his power in Jerusalem!
Pastor Gary
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