Saturday 5 November, 2016

2 After Saul and Jonathan died, David asked the Lord for advice. “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. 2 So David went up there with his two wives. Their names were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel. Abigail was Nabal’s widow. 3 David also took his men and their families with him. They made their homes in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron. There they anointed David to be king over the people of Judah. David was told that the men from Jabesh Gilead had buried Saul’s body. 5 So he sent messengers to them to speak for him. The messengers said, “You were kind to bury the body of your master Saul. May the Lord bless you for that. 6 And may he now be kind and faithful to you. David will treat you well for being kind to Saul’s body. 7 Now then, be strong and brave. Your master Saul is dead. And the people of Judah have anointed David to be king over them.” 8 Abner, the son of Ner, was commander of Saul’s army. Abner had brought Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim. 9 There Abner made Ish-Bosheth king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel. He also made him king over Ephraim, Benjamin and other areas of Israel. 10 Ish-Bosheth was 40 years old when he became king over Israel. He ruled for two years. But the people of Judah remained faithful to David. 11 David was king in Hebron over the people of Judah for seven and a half years.

What strikes me here is David’s question to God – “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” David’s move was an important one, given that Saul had just died and the leadership of Israel was up in the air. I love how he involves God and doesn’t assume anything, and then not only hears God’s reply but obeys it.

I have decisions to make each day – big and small – and it would be remiss of me to think that I don’t need God involved in that process. God is interested in the small and big decisions of my life, after all, it’s all part of His plan and purpose. I need to keep learning how to seek, hear and obey His voice.

Lord, thank You that You love being in relationship with me. I’m sorry for the times that I neglect you in the decisions that I make. Please help me to keep you front and centre in my life, to seek You each day, to hear Your voice, and to obey. Amen.

Written by Matt Samperi