Day 97 · Part 7: The Kingdom
King of Judah, King of Israel (1 of 2)
In the Story
In context
At the Lord’s word David went up to Hebron, where the men of Judah anointed him king, and he blessed the men of Jabesh Gilead for burying Saul (2 Samuel 2:1–7). But Saul’s commander Abner made Saul’s son Ishbosheth king over the rest of Israel, and “there was a long war between Saul’s house and David’s house” (2:8–3:1). It is a violent stretch, told plainly: Abner killed Joab’s brother Asahel, Joab killed Abner in revenge, and two captains murdered Ishbosheth; David mourned Abner and had Ishbosheth’s killers put to death (2:18–4:12).
Then all the tribes came to Hebron, reminding David that the Lord had said, “You will be shepherd of my people Israel” (5:1–3). He was thirty when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years, seven and a half in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem (5:4–5). About 1000 BC he took the Jebusites’ stronghold of Zion, which became “David’s city” (5:6–9).
He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4 · Abner asked Joab whether the sword would “devour forever”; Isaiah looks to a day when “They shall beat their swords into plowshares.”
For families
Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was five when the news of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and “his nurse picked him up and fled. As she hurried to flee, he fell and became lame” (4:4). He comes back into the story when David looks for someone of Saul’s house to be kind to “for Jonathan’s sake” (2 Samuel 9:1–3).
Mephibosheth’s nurse picked him up and ran to keep him safe. Who looked after you when you were small?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
2 Samuel 2
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2 Samuel 3
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2 Samuel 4
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2 Samuel 5
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A hymn for today
Standing on the Promises · words by R. Kelso Carter
- Standing on the promises of Christ my King,Through eternal ages let His praises ring;Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises that cannot fail,When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,By the living Word of God I shall prevail,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I now can seePerfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I cannot fall,List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call,Resting in my Savior as my all in all,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.