2 Samuel 3:17-21
Verse 17 Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, “For some time you have wanted to make David your king.
Abner has now come to understand that his ambitions are nothing without David and so he confers with the elders of Israel and does his best to convince them they need to leave Ish-Bosheth to follow David. He doesn’t fail to lift David up as God’s choice, making this somewhat of a spiritual choice for the people. If they chose their king over the king God had chosen, they would have looked as if they had totally deserted God.
It is also entirely possible there was a large following of David from the days of Saul who felt they couldn’t stand up against the new king of Israel but still desired David to be their king. We have to remember that in the days of Saul and David fighting in the same army, the people would sing songs of praise for David and his many conquests. Of course that was part of what began Saul’s jealousy of the younger man.
With David happy to have his first wife back with him, Abner comes with more good news, he has talked with the leaders of Israel and the whole of the tribe of Benjamin and both groups are willing to make a treaty and accept David as their king. Abner had come with 20 of his men and David knew this moment called for a feast and so he had one prepared. This was a celebration which was long in coming.
This moment must have been a bit surreal for David. He knew God had promised not only him but his descendants after him the throne of God’s people, but that had been so many years ago. David had been awaiting this moment since he was a boy. He likely had moments when it all felt like a pipe dream, times when the future seemed so far off, but now it was all falling into place. It was really happening.
Throughout the waiting time God was working on David’s heart. He was training him in various ways to be the king who would please the Lord and help the people of God remember whose people they really were. David had gone to many places in his running from Saul which had introduced him to more people who would be in the nation he ruled. God’s timing is always perfect as is the journey there.
Making It Personal
Have you ever had a time when you were waiting for something? How hard is it for you to wait for God’s timing? What are some things you should do while waiting?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you like to wait? What are some things you have had to wait for? What are some things you can do to help your wait seem more bearable?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for working things out in Your timing. Help us remember You know all the details past, present and future so You know when the timing is best for revealing Your glory. Give us the wisdom to know how to wait well. In Jesus’ name, amen.