2 Samuel 2:1-3
Verse 1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.
“In the course of time” tells us that David was giving the people, and himself, the proper amount of time to grieve. While there is no set time for a person to grieve, in Jewish culture it was common to grieve for a leader for thirty days as they did for both Aaron and Moses (Deuteronomy 34:8). These times of mourning would consist of weeping, tearing their clothing, wearing sackcloth, fasting, and even throwing dust on their heads.
While this was likely ceremonial for the majority of the kingdom, it would have been very personal for David, who was grieving his father-in-law, his mentor, his king, and his pursuer. Added to that is the pain of losing his brothers-in-law, including the man that was closer to David than anyone else on earth. He had so many reasons to grieve. But this being personal for David did not mean that he didn’t also have responsibilities.
David had been anointed for this time and while the idea of taking over as king would have seemed so far off for many years, he had no doubt that God was making it happen. Once again David shows why he is a man after God’s own heart. He doesn’t jump up and down with excitement that he could now be king, He doesn’t run to Saul’s home and sit on the throne, no, he mourns as he needs to mourn for the appointed time and then takes the first step to doing what God desired.
David’s first step in gaining his new position is to ask the Lord for direction so he would be guided in how to proceed. To just barge in could have caused a civil war if there were those who were loyal to Saul to the point where they hated David. The in-coming king would need to know the response of the people to their king’s death. Were they already choosing a replacement from among themselves?
David had been away for a while as he was running from Saul. We don’t know for a fact how long (scholars think anywhere from 4-20 years) but we do know that David would have had many mixed feelings about returning home, learning to live among God’s people again. To have his family near and feeling safe enough to start a family with his own wives. God was sending him home.
Making It Personal
Do you seek God’s directions in things that come up in your life? Do you follow where He leads? Where is He leading you that you are struggling to follow?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is it important to know what Jesus wants you to do? Do you always do what Jesus wants you to do? What is something Jesus wants you to do today?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for listening to us in our need for direction and showing us the way You want us to go. Please give us the desire to always want Your opinion and desire to obey Your leading. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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