2 Samuel 21
During David’s reign at the appointed time, God decided to pursue reconciliation for wrongdoing toward the Gibeonites from the time of Saul. Coming first in the form of famine for three successive years, the attention of David is drawn to seek the Lord’s face. There is no mention of God’s wrath explicitly, but in saying the famine is “on account of Saul and his blood-stained house…” God’s punishment of the land and to the people is to atone, and therefore, serves a specific spiritual and practical purpose for the people.
In Joshua 9, we learn there was a promise made between Israel and the Gibeonites, that God’s people would never put them to the sword. Yet in Saul’s zeal for his nation’s fame, he did so anyway (v.2). The scripture isn’t clear whether or not David knows about the events of Joshua or that Israel and the Gibeonites had a promise from 400 years ago. Rather, David’s motivation is God’s word, which causes him to serve the Gibeonites and grant the request of whatever the foreign people ask of him to reconcile the matter. The atonement calls for 7 of Saul’s male descendants to be executed and exposed before the Lord in the land where Saul resided. This process alludes to blood-spilled sacrifice which goes beyond just the principle of ‘an eye for an eye.’ Mourning, remembrance, and respect are all paid to the line of Saul as the bones of he, Jonathan, and all those executed for his sins are put in the tomb of Saul’s father. And David is the one who orders all of this to be done which in doing so, allows prayers to be answered once again on behalf of the land.
On another note, wars with the Philistines break out and calls for David to go to battle. This time though, it’s much different as in the first engagement David grew exhausted (v.15). Furthermore, a man descending from Goliath wanted nothing but David’s blood, yet one of David’s men came to his rescue. A defining moment for David and his army for important reasons. First, his army tells him they will not have him fight anymore. Secondly, not 1, or 2, but 4 Goliath-type characters are killed in battle by 4 different men of David. The Goliath slayer sworn-deliverer of the Philistines is asked to sit on the sidelines as his men go and kill Goliaths themselves.
David’s role as king is being redefined in these later years of his reign, as it should be with anyone growing old in leadership. He is not the war hero he once was, nor is the solution to his problems slaying thousands of Philistines. Instead, he is forced to pursue spiritual reconciliation, advocate for others, honor the dead, and let those under him follow his example and slay Israel’s foes while he watches from afar. Sound familiar? In the past, speakers in our church have looked at some of our larger gatherings (i.e. Rescon, Leadercon, etc.) as an opportunity to take our eyes off of ourselves, and pursue being the “Hero-Makers”. This passage isn’t necessarily guiding us to the impressive feats of David’s men though, instead, we witness the transition of David’s leadership role over Israel away from being the war hero, and towards a more shepherding role.
Whether you are an up-and-coming figure in the church community, a village leader whose face is at the forefront of your site, or you have nothing to show for yourself in ministry yet, our place in ministry is fragile, truly. And, anything we do in ministry can’t be of our own power. Our personal operations of ministry are changing, as it should when the years go by, and opportunities come and go. The true hope for us to continue to join in the Lord’s work is to be listening to God’s spirit, word, and people; and be ready to obey wherever that leads, and in whatever form that looks like.
Truths to consider:
Our purpose on earth is not to glorify ourselves but to glorify Jesus. He Himself sets the example of servanthood for which we should follow.
If societal, cultural, or peer (including unhealthy and uncenter church community) pressure falls wildly short of God’s glorious plan for our lives, what does it mean or look like for us to be Jesus-centered in whatever role the Lord places us in the church.
Mediate and pray through John 30:27-30:
To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is not complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”
