2nd Samuel 8 CONSOLIDATION When a work of God is started in a new area, the early days of the work are heady with success. There are the wonders of God working in power and grace to bring those who were in darkness into the light of salvation through the preaching of the Gospel. Taking the Gospel into Satan's domain is not usually easy nor is it done without opposition. "In vain do earth and hell oppose, for God is stronger than His foes."
Under David's rule as king there were Israelite victories in which the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians and those from Zobah were defeated and came under the rule of David. Those victories were a result of the promises of God for His people. The animosity of those nations had been directed against Israel for many years. Under David's leadership, the Lord had a man who, for most of the time, committed himself to do what God instructed him to do. Believers and unbelievers alike have to accept the consequences of their actions. It is a principle of life, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." That is true for nations as well as individuals.
Dealing with enemies is not an easy matter because, just because a war is won does not mean there will not be on-going antagonism. There are a number of reasons for showing mercy, and a number of reasons for being firm and final in dealing with those who hate God, His people, His word and His ways. The Lord did not want Israel to have a lot of horses because of the temptation to go back to Egypt with ease. By hamstringing them they could still be use for agricultural purposes, but not for warfare or rapid travel. It was in this area that David only partly obeyed the Lord. He kept one hundred horses for himself. When things are going in a way that seems most advantageous to us is the time when we are in most danger of acting on our own without divine guidance. In mercy the Lord did not deal with David, but in the next generation when Solomon was king, they were seriously multiplied. We all need to remember the decisions we make will have an effect on the next generation.
During those years of consolidation of a group of tribal people into a strong nation, David organized the leadership of the nation into a variety of areas of responsibility. Joab was the chief military leader. Jehoshaphat was responsible for the money. Zadok and Ahimelech were the religious leaders. Seraiah was the communicator or press secretary. The Cherethites and the Pelethites under Benaiah's leadership were the guards, or similar to our Secret Service guards. The enlarged kingdom would mean there was a need for a large number of people serving David in various parts of the kingdom. The more complicated our lives become, the more we need to commit ourselves to the work as a whole, rather than just one or two things in which we have vested interests.
To do that which is right and just before God, usually is right and just before the people. The reason David pleased the people was he pleased God first. Pleasing God is being guided by truth, reason and fairness. David was fair in interpreting the law and administering justice with mercy. He had respect toward the rights of the people and led them in recognition of his duty, and theirs, toward God. Pursuing justice is God's command because it is consistent with God's character. Justice and fairness should be the way we relate to people no matter who they are.
2nd Samuel 8:6, 14. “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.”
THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID. There were enemies coming with different schemes Some came with subtlety not really being what they seemed Others came armed each one determined to do battle Still others came with plans, the defenders they wanted to scatter.
But during these times of testing the Lord preserved His chosen No matter how the attacks came, the Lord was there beside him Whether it was those from the north or those from further east The Lord was with His chosen servant who had learned in his Lord to trust.
There are times when we worry about the outcome of a matter But when we realize the Lord preserves and He knows so much better Then we do as to what should be done and how to approach the issue – Then we can rest assured the Lord knows the solution far better than we do.
We need to be preserved from the quiet innuendoes from within All seems quite in order until the murmuring does begin When it seems, there is danger of division among God’s people The Lord steps in with the solution and the action to take that is needful.
Temptation from without will often test our faith Answers that seems so logical take the place of needed grace In these times remember the Lord has provided an escape And He who provides the solution, guards the way I take.
Outward opposition can create in us unnecessary fear Because what we see approaching seems far greater than we can bear But He that in us is greater than he that is in the world Outward foes can be banished before the preserving hand of the Lord.
How important it is to remember God has not left us to struggle alone He has promised to be with us and by His strength He carries us along It is His service we are in; we labor for our heavenly King So, we can be assured the right outcome He will surely bring.
“O God who preserves the simple and guides the footsteps of Thy servant: I pray that this day as we again step out to meet needs that are around us, You will preserve us in the way we take and keep me in the paths of righteousness. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
2nd Samuel.9:13. "So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”
"Gracious Father: joy is deep in my soul, and it is with patience I will wait until The True King sits on David’s throne. In His name. Amen.” THE KINDNESS OF GOD Jonathan was dead and Saul was dead. The kingly line of Saul was gone except for a five-year old boy! What to do? The nurse heard the news, quickly grabbed up the five-year old boy and fled to save his life. Where to go? Away from here. Far away where no one will think to find a young prince. Hide him; disguise him; do whatever is necessary to keep him from the avengers! How to go? There is no time to call for help. Flee, run, go as far and as fast is possible without anyone knowing where. So, the nurse with the boy in her arms ran for his life. How unfortunate that fall was! Not just one foot, but both feet. Irreparable, can’t be helped, crippled for life – but alive! Until she died the nurse would wonder if she could’ve done anything different.
But the Father in heaven, who has delegated angels for the children, watched over that fleeing nurse and little boy until they got to a safe place called Lodebar. It wasn’t a nice place but it was a safe place. Over the years as he grew accustomed to the pain and the crutches, he grew and lived in obscurity. No one knew and no one cared as far as he was concerned.
But…The Father in heaven knew, and cared. He who holds the heart of the king in His hand, moved the king to remember where he came from, the goodness of God to him, and the close friend who had died. The servant Ziba who wanted to ingratiate himself with the king knew. His interest was self-serving, and he had kept the information for a better day. Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar knew. Ammiel was one of the “People of God” (the meaning of his name) and Machir his son would have known the crippled boy from his youth.
King David cared and wanted to know: love for a friend doesn’t die, even if the friend does, because a friend is one whose need, I can meet, not just one who meets my need. A friend is one who encourages his friend in God. A friend is one with whom I share a deep common interest. A friend is someone committed to helping his friend realize God’s purpose and potential for his life. A friend, who is a true friend, declares his loyalty and commitment to the friendship.
The kindness (grace) of God was now to be shown to the one who was far away, through the king who in turn was the servant of God. The blessings God had shown to Mephibosheth’s grandfather and father were now to be his. Instead of being poverty stricken, he was rich. Instead of being afar off, he was brought near. Instead of obscurity, he was notable and wealthy. Instead of being a “dead dog”, he was now as one of the king’s sons. Instead of being pitied, he was now served. Instead of being hungry, he ate at the king’s table.
Mephibosheth was alive and well. His little boy is with him too! He’s back with his young son, Micha (“who is like Jehovah”) in the place of blessing. No longer a stranger; no longer at a distance, but now in the place of blessing, thanks to the kindness of God. The lameness doesn’t change anything – he is accepted and blessed because of the grace of God.
“O God of all grace; the Father of our heavenly King; the Benefactor and Protector of children: look upon my grandchildren with favor. I am not worthy that such wonderful people would be in my family. The potential of these young people is so great, I am moved to make daily sacrifices of prayer and intercession for them. The enemy wants to chase them down and destroy them, but for the sake of my Heavenly Friend, who gave his life on the battlefield of the cross; please guard them from the implacable foe. If they need to be crippled in some way to keep them humble and ready to be blessed – so do. If they need to be in obscurity for some time that might appreciate the blessing of God when it comes to them – so do. If there is some searching that I should do to bring them to the place of Thy blessing – so lead me. I just want them to be in the “House of the Lord forever.” Amen.”