To what lengths are you willing to trust in God?
Perceive: The narrator provides a bit of detail to the death of Ish-bosheth to illustrate how much Rechab and Baanah are evil and treacherous men. Finding the king lying on his bed, they kill him and cut off his head. Thinking they were heroes instead of villains, they travel all night taking the head of Ish-bosheth to David in Hebron where they present it as though they were used by God to aid in David’s vengeance. Seeking to capitalize on the discord between the north and the south, these opportunists wanted recognition and reward. Like the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul (2 Samuel 1:10), Rechab and Baanah didn’t expect David’s blazing answer to their murder of Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth. Like the Amalekite, David has them immediately put to death and then gives Ish-bosheth a decent burial.
Practice: David never intended to kill Ish-bosheth as part of his plan to unite Israel, as this would divide more than unify an already volatile situation between Israel and Judah. Apparently, David wanted to show his emotions through his actions by cutting off the brother’s hands and feet. It may have been a symbol of justice since they used hands to kill and feet to flee justice. It is understandable that Ish-bosheth wanted to take his father’s place, but he was not the kind of leader who could unite a divided country. God promised the kingdom to David who trusted in God’s word. Now, it is about to be fulfilled.
Pray: O Lord, help me to be more trusting in my circumstances and see exactly how You have my best interest at heart.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
Practice: David never intended to kill Ish-bosheth as part of his plan to unite Israel, as this would divide more than unify an already volatile situation between Israel and Judah. Apparently, David wanted to show his emotions through his actions by cutting off the brother’s hands and feet. It may have been a symbol of justice since they used hands to kill and feet to flee justice. It is understandable that Ish-bosheth wanted to take his father’s place, but he was not the kind of leader who could unite a divided country. God promised the kingdom to David who trusted in God’s word. Now, it is about to be fulfilled.
Pray: O Lord, help me to be more trusting in my circumstances and see exactly how You have my best interest at heart.
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com
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