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April 12

 

Read II Samuel 3 -- 5

In Today's Reading:

 

Abner deserts Ish-bosheth to join David; Abner murdered by Joab; Ish-bosheth murdered; David declared king of all Israel; the city of Jebus (Jerusalem) is captured

Following the death of Saul, Abner, the powerful commander of Saul's armies, proclaimed Saul's son Ish-bosheth king of Israel. He then controlled both the puppet-king and his kingdom of the majority of the Israelites. However, there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker (II Samuel 3:1).

 

About seven years later, there was a fierce quarrel between Abner and Ish-bosheth (see 3:6-11). Because of this, Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying . . . Make your league with me, and , behold, my hand shall be with you, to bring about all Israel to you (3:12-16). Abner contacted the elders of Israel, reminding them: The LORD has spoken of David, saying, By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies (3:18). A short time after he met with David, Abner was murdered by Joab, the commander of David's army, and then Ish-bosheth was assassinated by two of his own guards.

 

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron . . . and they anointed David king over Israel (5:3). The time had come for David to move his capital from Hebron to a more central location in the heart of the promised land. The chosen place was where the Jebusites held a small stronghold. The king and his men went to Jerusalem. . . . (and) David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David (5:6-7).

 

There could never have been a Temple for the dwelling place of God in the place that He had chosen until the Jebusites, who held the central position in the promised land, were cast out. This strong hold of Zion is symbolic of strongholds which lie deep within our minds and which may not be known to anyone, either by our conduct or by our conversation. A stronghold suggests secret thoughts that keep Christ from becoming Lord of our lives. These secret strongholds are likely to conflict with giving the Lord our time, talents, or tithes. But the fleshly mind (Colossians 2:18), with its physical impulses, subtly demands to remain within our hearts. Such strongholds are overcome as we daily read and obey God's Word and are filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9).

 

Word Studies:

 

3:1 waxed = grew; 3:10 translate = transfer; 3:12 league = covenant; 3:27 smote = stabbed; 3:31 bier = a stand for carrying a corpse; 4:2 reckoned to = considered part of; 5:8 getteth up to the gutter = enters the city through the water tunnel; 5:23 fetch a compass = circle around behind them.

 

Christ Portrayed:

 

By David, the anointed king over Israel (II Samuel 5:3). Christ is the Lord's Anointed. "Christ" is Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah, "Anointed One" (Psa 2:2; John 1:41). Jesus is the King of the world He created. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. . . . and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin (John 19:19-20).

 

Prayer Needs:

 

Pray for BP Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Official: Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA) • Country: Suriname (431,000) on the northeastern coast of South America • Major languages: Dutch and English • Very limited religious freedom • 27% Hindu; 22% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 20% Muslim; 6% witchcraft and spirit worship • Prayer Suggestion: The promises of God should be an encouragement to you to seek God in prayer (Amos 5:4,6).

 

Optional Reading: Acts 13

 

Memory Verse for the Week: I Thessalonians 5:16



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