I’m not sure anyone could make up a story so filled with intrigue as this one. The hardness of Absalom is truly amazing. But, so is the heart of David. After everything he has been through, David is still seeking the heart of God. His desire was to turn his son back to himself. He tried to protect Absalom. It was not. And so David mourns the loss of his son.

So it is with God. He desires the salvation of every living soul. Jesus died to forgive the sins of every man, woman, and child. Yet, born in sin, some never come to Him. Some resolutely rebel against Him. Even when called to be near Him, many will not. And God mourns the loss of those who would not.

Ok, now I’m confused! Wrote yesterday’s. Downloaded it (I thought). Where did it go?

“The King also crossed the Kidron Valley (15:23) … But David continued up the Mount of Olives (v. 30).”

I know it is only coincidence that these passages fall today, but what a wonderful coincidence it is! Today we observe Ash Wednesday. It begins our Lenten journey with the reminder that we are sinful and in need of a Savior. In fact, the ashes remind us of sins greatest consequence – death. “From dust you were made and to dust you shall return.” But, Ash Wednesday is not the end. It points us forward to our salvation.

Just as David crossed the Kidron Valley and climbed the Mount of Olives, so will the Son of David. Not Absalom or even Solomon, but THE Son of David, Jesus Christ. He will march the other direction – toward Jerusalem rather than away from it, to face His enemies. More importantly, He will face our greatest enemies – sin, death, and the power of the Devil – and He will win for us.

Missed Saturday again! Not sure how I did that. Sorry everybody!

“As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!” (2 Samuel 12:5 NIV84) True of David in his sin … true of every person in sin. But what is also true is God’s grace.

“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’
Nathan replied, ‘The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13 NIV84)

Thanks be to God that He has provided for our forgiveness in Jesus Christ. No matter how terrible the sin, there is forgiveness for those who repent in faith.

But, though forgiveness removes the spiritual consequences of our sin, it does not remove the temporal consequences. David will suffer consequences. What will not change are God’s promises to save His people through the King that will come, Jesus Christ.

How disappointed David must have been when God told him “no”. All he wanted to do was to thank God and give Him a proper place to dwell. But the glory of such an endeavor would have gone to David and God has bigger plans than that for this faithful
prince of His people.

It is time to remind His people of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This line of kings that begins with David will never end. There will be one whose will reign forever. The messiah will come from David’s line, will rule in righteousness, and will establish kingdom that will be a blessing to all people forever.

No more disappointment. David gave thanks to the Lord for His gracious promises. Today we join with David for our king, Jesus Christ, reigns!

Sure, God told the people that only the Levites should move the ark and they were to do so with poles. No one was ever to touch the ark. But, what’s the bid deal? Uzzah kept it from falling (which it would have done if they had carried it properly in the first place). David doesn’t understand.

“Uzzah, despite his good intentions, acts contrary to the Word of God and is struck dead. Handling the ark properly, David humbles himself as he lays aside his royal robes, puts on a priestly garment, and worships before the Lord as the leader of a kingdom of priests. When participating in the things of God – His Word, Sacraments, or Church – how you participate is important. Though God disciplines the irreverent, He remains faithful to bless the humble. Having atoned for our offenses on the cross, Christ will bless the repentant and believing heart.” (Lutheran Study Bible, pg. 496)

Setting up his capital in Jerusalem was no insignificant thing. From the time of Joshua, Jerusalem had belonged to the Jebusites. The 12 tribes had left it alone. It was a mighty fortress. But, now David had ascended to the throne. And, God fought again on the side of the Israelites. David was faithful, but more importantly, God was faithful. It was time to establish the nation God had promised to Abraham long before.

All the land will belong to the people of God. So it was with the mighty fortress of Jerusalem. And all the people knew, God was their God and they were His people. And, David was king under Him.

Slowly but surely David ascends to the throne. For the first time he is called “King David”. But we can see where his heart is. The people are unaware of his alliance with Abner. They cannot understand why he is fasting when his enemy has been destroyed. But, David knows what is right. He has made a promise to God to mourn Abner’s death. Above all, David will keep his promise to God.

This will be an important aspect of David’s rule. Where Saul abandoned God, David will not. And the one thing that will highlight David’s rule will be this: he will lead the people in the worship of the one true God!

Saul is dead. You would think David would be happy. But Saul was God’s anointed, and Jonathan his good friend. So, before anything else, David mourns.

Now to the job of ruling God’s people as prince under God. David may be ready to rule the whole nation, but that is not to be at this time. He is welcomed as king of Judah (southern tribes), but Ish-bosheth is anointed king in the north. I all this, David is certain of one thing – God is in control and history will be played out according to His will. So, whatever the next days and weeks and months and years may bring, they are in God’s hands … David’s and mine!

So, the tragic life of Saul comes to a tragic end. He has forsaken the Lord. And now he has lost everything. Here is how the Lutheran Study Bible sums up chapter 31 (and really all of 1 Samuel):

“Saul forfeits his divine blessing by compromising God’s Word, and he dies a brutal death at the hands of the very enemy he was chosen to defeat. There is no greater tragedy than when God’s people compromise His Word, no greater blessing than when they steadfastly receive it. Learn by the examples of Saul and David. By promises and blessings, the King of heaven provides life for you in His Son, Jesus.”

Was it really Samuel? Whether it was really the spirit of Samuel that God allowed to be called up, or a demon disguised as Samuel we don’t know. What we do know is that Saul has sunk to very dark depths. He prays to the Lord not out of faith, but out of desperation. When the answer he is looking for does not come, he quickly turns to witchcraft for help.

Horoscopes, ouija boards, psychics … their really harmless, right? If you din’t really believe in that stuff then it’s all just fun and games, right? Wrong! Satan is very active in our world and active through any means he can find to lure us away from God. Do not be deceived. It’s not just fun and games.

We put our trust in the Lord!