In this chapter, David was appointed King of Judah. As such, David would have many people who would report and answer to him. Nevertheless, we see that not everyone was pleasing to David.
The Men of Jabesh Gilead
After David was anointed King of Judah, he was told that the men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul (2 Samuel 2:4).
David was clearly pleased with their actions, as he immediately calls for them and blesses them for showing kindness to Saul (2 Samuel 2:5-7).
How honourable is it to be personally blessed by the king!
This serves as a stark contrast to the young man in 2 Samuel 1 who told David that he killed Saul (2 Samuel 1:6-10). Perhaps he thought that doing so would allow him to find favour in David's sight.
However, David rebuked him for harming the Lord's anointed, and condemned him to be executed (2 Sam 1:14-16).
From the two occasions where David spared the life of Saul (1 Samuel 24; 26), it is no surprise that the actions of the men of Jabesh Gilead (and not the young man) were found to be pleasing in the eyes of David and worthy of blessing rather than curse.
The Sons of Zeruiah
The second half this chapter record the war between Israel and Judah, led by the commanders Abner (Israel), and the sons of Zeruiah (Judah).
The three sons of Zeruiah - Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, are listed as mighty men of valour in 2 Samuel 23. In fact, they are also the nephews of David (1 Chronicles 2:13-16).
In the war recorded in 2 Samuel 2, Asahel pursued Abner relentlessly. Despite multiple warnings from Abner, Asahel did not stop, forcing Abner to strike and kill him (2 Samuel 2:21-23).
Abner and Joab would negotiate to stop fighting (2 Samuel 2:26-30), and Abner later even switched sides to pledge allegiance to David (2 Samuel 3:12-21).
However, Joab still murdered Abner to avenge Asahel (2 Samuel 3:26-27).
Perhaps unexpectedly for Joab, David would call for a mourning over Abner. David wept at his grave, and sang a lament (2 Samuel 3:31-34).
Ultimately, David at the end of his life held Joab accountable and instructed his son Solomon to punish him accordingly for his violence and wrongdoings (1 Kings 2:5-6).
Though Joab was the commander of David's army, fighting many battles for him, it was clear that his actions did not please David.
Reflection:
Jesus is our King today. Many of us do much church work to serve Him.
If we want to be accepted and blessed by our King, we learn from the men of Jabesh Gilead and understand who our God is.
At the same time, let us take heed lest we become like the sons of Zeruiah, zealously yielding the sword to fight many battles, but not to the pleasure of our King.
Imagine shedding all the blood, sweat, and tears, fighting many battles zealously, just to be condemned by our King!
Spiritual cultivation must be the foundation of our service. As we grow to do more works in church, let us also grow in our prayers and Bible reading.
Let us learn from David, to be a man after God's heart, to have the same mindset as Christ, that all our efforts to serve may be fragrant aroma to Him.
