2 Sam. 24; 1 Kings 1

David’s oldest son Adonijah declared himself the new king of Judah and Israel when David was old and near death. This caused a division in the nation’s leaders. One element knew God’s hand was not upon Adonijah to be the next king. The prophet Nathan approached David along with Solomon’s mother Bathsheba to appeal that Solomon should be the true king. Having already promised this, David complied and had the young man’s authority confirmed for all to see. He went on to reign for 40 years.

2 Sam. 20-23

Chapter 22 is a compilation of David’s tributes to the Lord. It reveals David’s trust, his penchant for integrity, and his keys to the many victories God gave him. In all matters apart from the Bathsheba incident, David proved to be an exemplary leader and example of God’s blessings when you do things right.

This gives us a template for prayer for contemporary leaders. With God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s leading, Godly men and women today can likewise testify to the victories God will give them. The standard needs to be held high.

2 Sam. 18, 19

Absalom had chased his father David from Jerusalem and had proclaimed himself king. God protected the exiled king from certain death by giving the young usurper bogus advice to wait before pursuing his father. David and his entourage escaped.

When Absalom did attack David’s men, he lost his life by getting his long hair caught in a tree. The symbol of his beauty and his pride was his downfall.

His father grieved bitterly at the news of his son’s death. He feared him, but he loved him. Even in the heightened tension of the overthrow, David exclaimed, “Be gentle with the young man.”

2 Sam. 16, 17

Last night I received a message challenging me to pray for our nation … the election in specific. I will accept the result of a fair election (where the accurate will of the people is expressed) but I am asking God to root out corruption and deception by the press and/or either political party. I am positive, based upon my own experience in running for ward committeeman c.1990 that both parties have faults. Nevertheless, I believe it is my responsibility to pray for God’s will in this election because my family will be directly affected by the direction the U.S. takes at this point. I may be gone, but those I LOVE will have to live with the civilization I leave behind.

Firstly, I want to pray with the right heart. I am not asking God for harsh judgement upon evildoers. I pray that those who are doing wrong when it affects our government will respond to God’s mercy and change their ways. Also, I pray with faith. I BELIEVE that my prayers will have an impact. I don’t want to talk about it. I want to DO IT. Just pray through Pr. 6:16-19. Pray that those guilty of these sins will repent and turn to Christ Jesus.

Please join me.

2 Sam. 13-15

Absalom was a good-looking young man who used his favor to devise an overthrow plan to unseat his father, King David. He placed himself at a prominent place at the city gate to draw the favor of the people away from his father, the king. At the ripe time, he had himself anointed the new king at Hebron, having stolen even some priests who likewise defected.

The arrogance and self-serving cunning of Absalom crops up in young leaders even today. They always think they can do a better job of leading than the present leader, and scheme ways to steal their boss’s authority and position. Many innocent followers are usually wounded during such coups.

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. [Ps. 131:1]

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. [Ps. 101:2]

2 Sam. 10-12

God was displeased with the way David was deceitful about Uriah, the Hittite. David slept with his wife and had Uriah murdered to cover his sin. God sent the prophet Nathan to disclose the sin to David. God sees all and will expose sin when it is covered, especially by a leader.

If there is wholesale fraud in a nation’s election, a Christian can only keep praying that God’s wisdom and mercy will be revealed to that nation to remove corruption and establish godliness and integrity.

Sam. 7-9

David asked for any descendants of Saul that were still living. Mephibosheth, a son of Jonathan, was identified. David called for him and lavished great kindness upon him. He was given all of Saul’s inheritance and invited to eat at David’s table thereafter. He deserved this show of kindness only because he was related to the former king and his son.

Showing kindness to the descendants of your close friends is a way to honor their memory.

“… I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” [Ex. 33:19]

2 Sam. 5, 6

The Lord gave David favor and skill. He had proven his ability to obtain victory on the battlefield, and displayed wisdom beyond his years in leadership situations. Judah claimed him as their king, and eventually all Israel recognized his royalty. It was confirmed by the elders of Israel, and was not the result of David’s ambition or cunning. All could see God’s Hand upon him. They saw what God had revealed to Samuel when he anointed David as a young shepherd boy.

To young people who sense God’s call upon their lives … don’t rush it. God will confirm you through the endorsement of elders and eventually all will see what God put in you and the ministry He has for you. You don’t have make anything happen yourself. Just be obedient to what He tells you.

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. [Ps. 65:4 KJV]

2 Sam. 2-4

David had been anointed king of Judah and Saul’s son Ishbosheth was king of the rest of Israel. Two men thought they would please David by taking Ishbosheth’s life and bringing his head to David. On the contrary, David had them executed because they had murdered an innocent man.

When power struggles happen, innocent people are affected. Christians should commit to peaceful coexistence with those whose political persuasion differs. Otherwise, innocent people will suffer.

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” [1 Peter 3:8-11]