2 Samuel 4-6 Reverence and Joy for Holiness

Thoughts

Samuel 4

When Ish-bosheth hears that Abner has been killed, his courage fails, and all Israel is troubled. Two men, Baanah and Rechab, commanders of raiding bands under Ish-bosheth, decide to betray him.

The text briefly recalls Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, who was crippled as a child (we learn more about him later)

Baanah and Rechab sneak into Ish-bosheth’s house while he is resting and murder him in his bed. They cut off his head and bring it to David in Hebron, hoping for a reward.

They present Ish-bosheth’s head to David, claiming it as vengeance against Saul’s line.

But David is not pleased and recalls how he executed the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul, because no one should harm the Lord’s anointed.

David orders Baanah and Rechab executed. Their hands and feet are cut off and displayed publicly as a warning, while Ish-bosheth’s head is given a proper burial in Abner’s tomb

Samuel 5

All the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron and say, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh” They tell of how David led Israel’s armies even during Saul’s reign, and how the Lord promised he would shepherd His people.

David is anointed king over Israel at age 30. He reigns 40 years total: 7½ in Hebron (over Judah) and 33 in Jerusalem (over all Israel).

The Jebusites still control Jerusalem and taunt David, saying he’ll never take the city.

But David captures the fortress of Zion, which becomes known as the City of David.

Hiram sends cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons to build David a palace. David recognizes this as confirmation that God has established his kingdom.

In Jerusalem, David takes more wives and concubines and has more sons and daughters.

• Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

When the Philistines hear David has been anointed king, they come to fight him.

Twice David inquires of the Lord before going to battle.

• First battle: God tells him to attack directly, and David wins at Baal Perazim,(בַּעַל פְּרָצִים) “Lord of the Breakthrough.”
• Second battle: God tells him to circle around behind and wait until he hears marching in the tops of the balsam trees (!). David obeys and wins again, driving the Philistines back.

Samuel 6

David gathered 30,000 chosen men of Israel to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Abinadab. They placed the ark on a new cart, and Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, guided it.

When the oxen stumbled at Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark. God struck him dead on the spot.

David was angry and afraid that day, calling the place Perez Uzzah פֶּ֫רֶץ עֻזָּה (“outburst against Uzzah”).

Out of fear, David did not bring the ark into Jerusalem immediately. Instead, it stayed in the house of Obed-Edomfor three months, and God blessed his household.

Hearing of Obed-Edom’s blessing, David decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem with proper care. This time, they carried it correctly (on poles, by Levites, as instructed in the Law). After six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a linen ephod. Israel celebrated with shouting and the sound of trumpets as the ark entered the city.

As David danced, Michal, daughter of Saul (and David’s wife), looked out from a window and despised him in her heart.

After the ark was set in a special tent, David offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, then blessed the people and distributed food to everyone.

When he returned to bless his household, Michal mocked him for behaving in a way she thought undignified for a king. David replied that he danced before the Lord  and that he would be even more undignified if it meant honoring God.

The chapter ends noting that Michal had no children to the day of her death.

Questions

What was the marching on top of the balsam/mulberry trees? Angels?

Why did Rechab and Baanah expect David to reward them for murdering Ish-bosheth, when he had already executed the Amalekite who claimed to kill Saul?

Why did David initially transport the Ark on a cart?

Application

A good theme for these chapters is “God calls us to approach His holiness with both reverence and joy”. In chapter 4, Rechab and Baanah killedGod’s anointed  and their disrespect cost them their lives. Then in chapter 5, David showed reverence by seeking the Lord before battle and then rejoiced in God’s breakthrough. In chapter 6, Uzzah’s death showed that God’s holiness is not to be taken lightly, yet David’s dancing showed that God’s presence is also a source of joy. How do we hold space for God’s holiness in both awe and celebration? Or do we tend to lean more one way or the other (formality vs familiarity?)

from https://www.generationword.com/jerusalem101/19-city-of-david.html