Read 2 Samuel 2:1–11
Questions from the Scripture text: What two things does David ask of Whom in 2 Samuel 2:1? What answers does Yahweh give? Who go with him (2 Samuel 2:2)? Whom else (2 Samuel 2:3)? Whom do they bring? Who come in 2 Samuel 2:4? To do what? What is the first thing they tell him, upon his inauguration? What does he do in response (2 Samuel 2:5)? Who and who else does he say will repay them (2 Samuel 2:6)? What does he tell them to do (2 Samuel 2:7a) and for what two reasons (verse 7b)? But who does what, to whom, where (2 Samuel 2:8)? Over whom (2 Samuel 2:9)? Who did what for how long in 2 Samuel 2:10? Who followed David? Who did what, where, over whom, for how long (2 Samuel 2:11)?
David has been anointed king by God’s prophet for a very long time. In this passage, he is finally anointed king in Israel. A small section of Israel, anyway. Hebron/Shechem is by the cave of Machphelah, with the bones of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The location and the tribe are important, but small.
Of course, what God’s prophet/Word have said isn’t that important to Abner, son of Ner. He’s been chairman of the joint chiefs, as it were, and he doesn’t intend on giving up his position (2 Samuel 2:8). The church is full of Abners and Alexanders (the coppersmith of 2 Timothy 4:14). Their influential position is worth enough to throw God’s appointed man under the bus. So, Abner installs Ishbosheth, and all Israel follows for two years (2 Samuel 2:9-10).
Everyone except, perhaps, the men of Jabesh Gilead. Though Jabesh Gilead isn’t in Judah, the men of Judah have taken note of their bravery when all the rest of Israel fled in 1 Samuel 31:7–13. Perhaps, the men of Judah are suggesting that such a group may be willing to go it alone with new king in 2 Samuel 2:4. At the very least, they would know that loyalty, bravery, and proper mourning are extremely important to David (cf. 2 Samuel 1).
So, David not only commends and blesses them (2 Samuel 2:5-6), but also informs them of the next opportunity to go against the crowd to do the courageous and right thing (2 Samuel 2:7).
In every age of the church, doing things God’s way, and honoring and being led by His appointed men, puts us in a minority. But, it is always blessed and victorious to be in a minority with God. We know the rest of the story—that God’s anointed king comes out on top. That’s true whether you’re the men of Jabesh Gilead being invited to follow David in 2 Samuel 2, or if you’re in a small minority of those committed to Christ’s own ways in His church in 2021. God’s anointed King always comes out on top.
What are some ways in which churches are tempted to choose their own way of doing things instead of following King Jesus? What might be the cost for being in the minority who follow Him? But what will you gain?
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH542 “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus”
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