2 Samuel 19:31-20:26
Psalm 7
2 Samuel 21:1-22
1 Chronicles 20:4-8
David returned to Jerusalem from exile and was restored as the King of
Israel. A minor revolt broke out because of a man named Sheba, who was quickly
hunted down and beheaded. Also, in a move that caught me by surprise, Joab
killed Amasa. Amasa had been Absalom’s rebel commander, but David had promoted
him to lead all the armies of Israel (thus demoting Joab). However, though we
are not given any details, Joab, who had always remained loyal to David, suspected
treason and eliminated him without David’s knowledge.
Finally, the Philistines rallied their forces to wage war against
Israel again. They seem to always be causing trouble; so David and his men went
to battle their foes. Here the King almost died, had it not been for Abishai.
Despite battling some well-known giants, the Israelites prevailed. Thus, all
threats to David’s rule had been dealt with, and the King now reigned in peace.
In the middle of our passage today was a three- year famine, which
David discovered was caused by the murder of the Gibeonites. In case you don’t
remember, the Gibeonites were the people who deceived Joshua, as he was
conquering the land of Canaan, and made a deal with him. Joshua gave his word
not to destroy them (Joshua 9:1-27). However, it seems that when Saul was king, he and his family
attempted to annihilate the Gibeonite tribe (for reasons we do not know), thus
breaking Israel’s vow of protection. This betrayal angered the Lord who sent
the famine as punishment.
To make things right, David delivered Saul’s sons and grandsons to the
Gibeonites (except for Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth), to pay for their sins.
While this may seem harsh, it was just. David wrote Psalm 7 during this time,
in which he praised the Lord for His justice. “The Lord passes
judgment on the nations. He is a judge who is perfectly fair; and He is angry
with the wicked every day. If a person does not re- pent, He will sharpen His
sword... I will thank the Lord because He is just” (v.8, 11, 12, 17).
Daily Reflection
According to Noah Webster, justice is “the virtue of giving to every
person what is due them, an impartial or right application of the law” (1828 Dictionary). Being just is to
rectify a situation or to make things right, like a judge, without being a
respecter of persons. Would you consider yourself to be a just person? Why or
why not?
What is the most difficult aspect of being just? Why do human beings
struggle with handing down or receiving justice?
God is just. He upholds His laws and keeps people accountable
to them. He is impartial; He is not a respecter of persons. While His justice
may seem unfair or uncalled for at times, we should be thankful for it. Can you
imagine the alternative, if there were no Supreme Judge of the universe and
sinners were never held accountable? Praise God today for His justice.
BiAY.org | Day 120 — 245 Days to Go
No comments:
Post a Comment