Reflections on II Samuel 15-17

Absalom proclaims himself king. Note:

Pride – Absalom wants everyone to be impressed with him – riding a chariot with 50 men running before him. He proudly seeks to take the kingdom from his own father. What does your pride look like? What will you do about it?
Loyalty – Absalom proclaims himself king, and many of David’s officials follow him. Yet many also remain loyal to David. Are you loyal toward your leaders? Associates? Friends? Family? Church? Can they count on you?

Reflections on II Samuel 12-14

David’s sin had dire consequences for himself and his family:

Consequences of sin – David confesses his sin, and God forgives him, but the consequences of his sin remain. His family and all of Israel will suffer because of his sin. God will forgive your sin when you confess it to him, but the consequences of your sin may remain to hurt you and your loved ones. Again – guard your life!
Following their father – Amnon follows his dad’s example by taking Tamar. Absalom responds by following his dad’s example and killing Amnon. David’s adultery and murder are passed on to the next generation. What sins do you need to overcome lest you pass them down to the next generation?

Our passage today is the turning point of the book, as David begins in triumph, but then yields to temptation and sins against God.

Triumph – The Lord gave David victory after victory over his enemies. With what triumphs has God blessed you? How do you think you should respond?
Temptation and sin – David goes for a walk and sees a woman bathing. At that point, he should have just turned away. Instead he pursues it, and by the end he has committed adultery and murder. How quickly we can fall! Do you toy with temptations or do you run? Are you on guard?

David brings the ark to Jerusalem and receives a covenant promise from God. Consider:

Proper Worship – Uzzah touches the ark which was not to be touched. God kills him, and the worship service is done. We must worship God according to his commands. Later they finish moving the ark. David is dancing and rejoicing before the Lord. Do you worship with this kind of joy and enthusiasm?
Davidic Covenant – God promises David that his kingdom and throne will never end. Ultimately this promise is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, who receives the same promises in Luke 1:32-33. Have you bowed your life before your king?

With Saul dead, David becomes king of Judah, and then over all Israel. Observe:

Attitude towards leaders – Saul has been hunting David for several years, but David doesn’t rejoice when he hears that Saul died. Instead he mourns. Saul was God’s anointed leader, and even though he didn’t follow the Lord, his death was a tragedy. What is your attitude towards your leaders?
Seeking direction – When the Philistines hear that David is king, they prepare for battle. David seeks the Lord’s direction and follows it, and wins the battle. For what in your life do you need to seek God’s direction? As you read his Word, are you seeking to follow his directions?

Saul in his continued jealousy pursues David, but Saul’s son Jonathan has a different heart. Consider:

Saul’s jealousy – The jealousy that began in chapter 18 reigns throughout our passage today as Saul seeks David’s life. Is there jealousy in your heart? Are you treating someone poorly out of jealousy or envy?
Jonathan’s loyalty – Saul’s son remains loyal to David in spite of his dad’s jealousy, and in spite of the fact that David’s life will keep Jonathan from ever being king. Jonathan accepts the lot God has given him and loves David as a brother. Are you loyal to your friends? To God’s people? Even to your own hurt? Even when others are against them (and may turn against you)?

In our passage today, God chooses a new king. Note:

Heart – God looks not on the outward appearance, but on the heart. God chooses David because David has a heart for God. What does God see when he looks at your heart?
The battle is the Lord’s – David goes out to fight Goliath, but he doesn’t go alone. He goes in the name of the Lord for the glory of God. What battles are you facing? You need not fight the battle alone. Look to the Lord for help and fight for his glory.

Saul, the new king, fails to follow the Lord. Observe:

Heart for God – Saul offers a sacrifice that is not his to make, and so disobeys God. Samuel tells Saul that his kingdom will not continue, for God is seeking a man after his own heart. In other words, Saul’s disobedience reveals his heart – and it is not after God. Where is your heart? Do your actions reveal a heart for God or not?
Obedience – As Saul disobeyed God in chapter 13, so he does it again in chapter 15 – apparently following the people instead of God. Are you following God or the crowd around you? In what ways are you tempted to follow those around you?

Samuel anoints Saul to be the first King of Israel.

Heart for God – Again this theme comes up. God gives Saul a new heart (10:9). Samuel instructs the people to serve God with all their hearts (12:20, 24). Are you serving God with all your heart? Or is your heart divided?
Empty things – Samuel warned the people not to “turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver” (12:21). What are some empty things that our world chases after? What empty things do you chase after?
Prayer – Samuel pledges to continue praying for people (12:23). How is your prayer life? Who have you pledged to pray for? Who do you need to pray for today?

Samuel judges Israel, but as he grows old, Israel demands a king to rule over them.

Heart for God – Elkanah, Hannah, and Samuel have all shown a heart for God. Now Samuel tells the people: “direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only” (7:3). Have you directed your heart to the Lord? Is your heart still with the Lord or has it wandered after other things? Is your heart for God leading you to serve him?
“Like all the nations” – Twice Israel gives the reason they want a king – so they can be like the other nations (8:5, 20). Rather than be distinct as God’s people, they want to be like those around them. Why do you do what you do? To live for God or to be like those around you?