2 Samuel 2:1-11
We have all experienced times of waiting in our
lives.
I’m not just talking about waiting in the line at the
coffee shop or at the DPS. I mean waiting on God
to give us our next instructions. How should we
handle the waiting?
This morning we are going to learn from David as he has
been waiting for God to allow him to take the office of
king for quite some time.
Last week we talked about how David dealt with difficult
news.
We read that David found out that Saul was dead along
with three of his sons including David’s best friend
Jonathan.
Of course David mourned over the loss of his friend. We
didn’t discuss it last week, but the latter half of 2 Samuel
1 is a lament that David wrote for Saul and Jonathan.
This morning we are going to move into chapter 2 of
Second Samuel. We will examine the first 11 verses.
2 Samuel 2:1-4a
David Seeks the Lord’s Guidance
You might remember that David allowed doubt to
overtake his faith back in 1 Samuel 27. You might also
recall that he called for the priest to bring him the ephod
in chapter 30.
Here in 2 Samuel 2 David calls out to the Lord for
guidance.
He asks the Lord 2 questions.
Should I go up to Judah? The Lord answers, Go up.
To which city should I go up? The Lord answers, to
Hebron.
The Bible doesn’t specify how the Lord was
communicating to David. The fact that God provided a
city name may be an indication that David was not using
the Urim and Thummim, since those typically provided
answers to yes/no questions.
The Bible simply tells us what David asks and what God
answered. We must not be dogmatic about God’s method
of communication.
David obeyed God and went to Hebron. He took his
family and all 600 of his men and their families and
headed to Hebron.
I’m sure David was glad to get back to Israelite territory
since he had been on the run and away from his
homeland for such a long time.
It must have been refreshing for him to not have to look
over his shoulder for someone trying to kill him any
longer.
What do we know about Hebron?
● 25 miles North of Ziklag
● 20 miles SW of Jerusalem
● Burial site of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, etc.
● Highest elevation of any town in Judah
What can we learn from David in these verses?
We should seek the Lord’s guidance in times of
waiting.
If we are not sure what God wants us to do we should
ask Him.
If we don’t hear a clear answer we return to the last
thing God told us to do.
2 Samuel 2:4b-7
David Blesses his Enemies
The Scripture tells us that David received word that the
men of Jabesh-Gilead had buried Saul; he was more than
grateful.
Pronounced a Double Blessing from the Lord
May you be blessed by the Lord…this loyalty to Saul
The word translated loyalty in the ESV is the Greek word
chesed. It is often translated as kindness or
lovingkindness.
Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to
you.
This word steadfast love is again the Greek word chesed
or lovingkindness.
Don’t forget these were supporters of Saul, and Saul
wanted nothing more than to see David dead.
It would have been natural for David to not want
anything to do with them, however David pronounces a
double blessing on them.
Promises to Do Good to Them
In verse 7 David tells the people of Jabesh-gilead that the
people of Judah have anointed him king over them.
The good he is promising them could be realized if they
would recognize him as king and follow his leadership.
Prompts them to Take Courage
This seems to be an invitation for them to come fight for
him. They have already shown great kindness to Saul by
giving him a proper burial.
What can we learn from David in these verses?
We should look for ways to bless others and
encourage them while we wait for God.
2 Samuel 2:8-11
Abner Defies God’s Will
Abner was Saul’s cousin and the commander of his army.
I’m sure Abner remembered how David called him out
back in
1 Samuel 27:14-16 after David found Saul asleep with
his spear in the ground and everyone was asleep
including Abner.
David asked him “Are you not a man?” and
“Why have you not guarded your lord the king?”
Those were not questions many would take lightly.
Abner’s response is to take matters into his own hands.
He brought Saul’s only remaining son Ish-bosheth to
Mahanaim and made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites,
Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel.
Abner knew that David was chosen by God to be the next
king of Israel, but he didn’t care. He despised David just
as much as Saul did. We know that Saul admitted out
loud to David that he knew David would be the next king.
Abner refused to submit to the Lord’s will.
Are we not like that when we fail to let God have control
of every area of our lives?
Is there something that you are holding back from God
because you simply don’t trust Him or don’t want to give
up control?
Verses 10 -11 describe the length of time both
Ish-bosheth and David reigned as king.
We know from a further reading of the Scripture that
David takes over ruling all of Israel after Ish-bosheth. So
how do we reconcile him reigning for only 2 years while
David reigned for 7 1⁄2?
Most likely it took them 5 1⁄2 years to take control of
those territories and gain control over them.
What can we learn from David in these verses?
We should point others to know and understand
God’s will.
Even when they don’t seem to care.
APPLICATION
Our application has actually been throughout the
message, but let’s take a moment to go back and review.
Seek the Lord’s Guidance While we Wait
Bless Others While we Wait
Point others to Know and Understand God’s Will