April 22 - 2 Samuel 5:1-3 | 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 | 1 Chronicles12:23-40 | 2 Samuel 5:17-25 | 1 Chronicles14:8-17 | 2 Samuel 5:6-10 | 1 Chronicles11:4-9 | 1 Chronicles 3:4 | 2 Samuel 5:13 | 2 Samuel 5:4-5 | 2 Samuel 5:11-12 | 1 Chronicles14:1-2 | 1 Chronicles13:1-5 | 2 Samuel 6:1-11 | 1 Chronicles 13:6-14

Good morning everyone,

First thing I have to say is I hope that the list of verses at the top of the page did not discourage you. While it looks like a lot of reading, really it is merely 1 Chronicles reiterating what 2 Samuel is saying. In some places word for word, while in others, adding a bit more detail. I always find it exciting to have what I read in the Bible validated in another book in the Bible, the different perspective being totally cool! Make sense?

We begin our reading in 2 Samuel where it tells us that “ALL” the tribes of Israel, having recognized that even while Saul was king, it was David who led the military campaigns. So they go to David at Hebron to anoint him ruler, king over all the land. When I first read this I thought that the “all” they were talking about were perhaps selected spokespersons for each tribe, however, in 1 Chronicles we read that there were nearly 341,000 people (if my math is correct) that came knocking on David’s door in Hebron, determined, mind you, to make David king over all the land. Who could say “no”?  

Now keep in mind that David is a mere thirty years old, that’s right friends, thirty! Quite frankly, I can barely remember back to when I was thirty, but nonetheless, all of Israel determined to have him be their king. God has totally paved the way for David! It is evident in every situation David has been in and clearly present in the hearts of the people of Israel, and so he is anointed for the third time in his life as king.

When the Philistines heard the news about David they went in search of him, they wanted to take him on; but note this, David didn’t let the “soldier in him” that is to say his pride rule his actions. No, no. Instead of going up to meet the Philistines in battle he first went down to the stronghold to meet God in prayer, to ask God what He wants David to do. Is that awesome or what?! God says “Go, I got your back.” So David did. However, next we read that once more those persistent Philistines came back to attack. Again, David goes to the Lord to seek advise. This time God tells him to circle round the back and when he hears marching in the tops of the poplar trees attack. David did as he was instructed and was quite successful. 

Now, I just want to take a moment for a personal share. I love, love, love the sound of the wind blowing through the tops of the trees. Always have. You can hear it coming forever, especially where I live and I never tire of the trees wiggling and dancing with delight as the angels whisk through tickling their branches. When I read David was to wait to hear the marching in the tops of the trees, I could totally see God’s army up there going before him and it gave me chills. Oh man, I L-O-V-E my God!!!

Yikes, I am running out of space so off to David conquering Jerusalem. The Jebusites had control and had the lame and the blind guarding the city. No kidding! I read in one commentary that the blind and the lame were placed on the walls, because why? Well, blind folks can hear really well and no one was going to sneak up on them undetected, and when they heard someone coming they would, not wanting to get caught in the fight, would make a hasty (as fast as a blind person can move) retreat leaving the lame who could not move, behind screaming for help. Hence, the the alarm system. So David being the astute commander that he was knew the way into the city was through the water shaft and put it out there that whoever made it up the shaft, into the city first would forever be his commander-in-chief. It would be Joab, you remember him, he is the one who murdered Abner, to receive the title and help David, who will rein for forty years, restore and build what will be know as the City of David. 

We’re told that David  became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. We have the ability to be just like that, all we have to do is put our total allegiance, our hope and our faith in God almighty. I would encourage you to read then claim Isaiah 40:28-31 “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Amen?

Have an awesome day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …