Journal Through the Bible: Week 41 Saturday

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II Samuel chapter 1  (Read October 19, 2013)

And yet another Amalekite crosses David's path and suffers the consequences! Besides being part of the nation that God had told Saul to destroy he most likely was part of the marauders that had recently taken David's own wives and the families of his men captive. The man arrived in David's camp expecting to be handsomely rewarded for claiming to have killed King Saul - as a mercy killing - and for bringing the royal crown to David. Instead David had the man executed for treating the anointed king of Israel with such disrespect. Did the Amalekite kill Saul? Probably not, but his own testimony condemned him.

In his anguished grief David wrote an exquisite psalm of remembrance about Saul and Jonathan.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! (verse 27)

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Just as the Amalekite failed in his attempt to entice David with the symbols of royalty so did Satan fail in his attempt to entice Jesus to sin by offering an illegitimate claim to the thrones of the earth. Both David and Jesus rejected the temptation knowing each would eventually claim the throne of Israel legitimately.
• The psalm contained in this chapter describes David's grief when his master, leader, and loved ones fell at the hand of wicked forces. This must have been how the disciples felt when their Master, Leader, and beloved One was crucified at the hand of wicked men!

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Jesus has yet to have His day of coronation when the whole world will acknowledge Him as the heir to the throne of David and to the whole world.
• Someday all will perish who have slain the LORD's Anointed. Their own words will condemn them. (This would actually be all of us except that God has offered mercy to all who will repent and be saved by grace through faith in the LORD's Anointed!