2 Samuel 4:8-12
Verse 8 They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.”
Rekab and his brother Baanah are now on the second part of their plan to remove King Ish-Bosheth from the throne. Yes, they had already murdered him and escaped but the main part of their plan had to do with bringing him to the king of Judah hoping it would put them in good standing with the king who they figured would soon take over as the king of the whole nation of God’s chosen people.
David has just dealt with the two brothers in his ranks who had decided to “do him a favor” and killed Abner, now this other set of brothers arrive having done something very similar. These brothers took it one step further and bring David the head of Ish-Bosheth. Though younger than his best friend, Jonathan, Ish-Bosheth was likely someone David had known from his time in King Saul’s home. Ish-Bosheth was older than David and so he may have been someone that David had seen as an older brother figure at one time.
Rekab and Baanah were sure they were bringing David news which would bring them recognition. They knew David would understand their message of handing over the kingship of Israel to him, what they didn’t seem to understand was that David was a man of God. The nation of Israel had gotten so far from God they no longer valued life as David did, even the life of those in authority. David understood that if they were willing to kill the king of their own tribe they would have no qualms about killing a king of another lineage. They were so proud of themselves they go as far as claiming they have done God’s work of eliminating Saul’s family.
David once again showed that he was a man after God’s own heart when he confronts these men about the horrible thing that they have done. The king then had the brothers killed and they cut off their hands and feet and hung them in a public by the pool. He then had King Ish-Bosheth’s head buried in the tomb of Abner thereby honoring yet another of Saul’s household of whom others had dishonored. David’s heart was aligned with God. God had yet to put David on the throne of the unified nation but David wasn’t taking matters into his own hands, nor was he asking others to.
Making It Personal
Have you ever done something for someone thinking it would make them happy only to find it only did the opposite? Have you ever tried to please God by using your own wisdom? Does what pleases God, please you?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you have people that you try to make happy but it doesn’t always work? Do you try to make Jesus happy? What kinds of things make Jesus happy?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for showing us Your will should be our only true goal. Help us see all that You would have us see so that we can always make the choice that most pleases You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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