PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 15-16
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“As your sword has made women childless, so will your mother be childless.” (1 Samuel 15:33)
To be honest, I struggle with the command to totally destroy the Amalekites.
I wish God did not have to work with this kind of violence and killing.
But saying that is also wishing that God did not have to work with us.
God does work with us, as we are, with all our messed up ways.
These were evil times, it was a ‘wild west’ scenario, slaughter was ‘normal’.
These Amalekites were getting what they were otherwise giving to others.
God directs our evil, God does not cause it… God directs it to a better outcome.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
God uses Agag, Saul, David, Solomon, Caesar, Hitler, Trudeau, Putin for the kingdom.
But they also suffer when they sin, and get as good as they give.
Somehow, through this story, God is paving the way for Jesus to come.
All this shows us how much we need Jesus to break this cycle of sin and death.
All this shows me why I submit to Jesus as my leader, my lord, my king.
PRAYER
Lord, if you did not work with sinners, you could not work with me. Thank you for humbling yourself to work with us, to establish your kingdom over the mess of our own.
“And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.” This conspiracy of Absalom’s own doing compares to David’s attitude: “If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. 26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”
I can make my own plans and make my own decisions – that may be okay – but it’s much better if I submit those plans to the Lord. David was tempted and did sometimes take matters into his own hands – but when he did it got him into trouble. Now it’s Absalom who planed this conspiracy. It was not blessed by God – yet God allowed it to happen – still part of the consequence that Nathan the prophet had predicted. It led to disaster – and it humbled David. David acquiesced and submitted his destiny to God. The best place to be!
Whose advice do I follow? David left the city for he did not desire war with Absalom who was winning the hearts of the people through his devious ways. David showed compassion as he fled the city. Yet David did travel with the Lord for he knew that his ways are always present in His presence. The events in this passage remind me of of the passage – as far as it depends upon me, life at peace with all mankind. And that is only a possibility when we walk with the Lord. Help me this day Lord, to do just that.
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.