Hand of God

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

HAND OF GOD

2 Sam 3:6-16

6 During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul. 7 Now Saul had had a concubine named Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ish-Bosheth said to Abner, "Why did you sleep with my father's concubine?" 8 Abner was very angry because of what Ish-Bosheth said and he answered, "Am I a dog's head — on Judah's side? This very day I am loyal to the house of your father Saul and to his family and friends. I haven't handed you over to David. Yet now you accuse me of an offense involving this woman! 9 May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the LORD promised him on oath 10 and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba." 11 Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him. 12 Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to say to David, "Whose land is it? Make an agreement with me, and I will help you bring all Israel over to you." 13 "Good," said David. "I will make an agreement with you. But I demand one thing of you: Do not come into my presence unless you bring Michal daughter of Saul when you come to see me." 14 Then David sent messengers to Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, demanding, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for the price of a hundred Philistine foreskins." 15 So Ish-Bosheth gave orders and had her taken away from her husband Paltiel son of Laish. 16 Her husband, however, went with her, weeping behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go back home!" So he went back.

NIV

Once again, we see Abner strengthen his own position in the house of Saul, yet he made an agreement with David to hand over the kingdom to him. The way he responded to Ish-Bosheth so that he was afraid of Abner gives us more insight into the overpowering nature of  Abner, as a mean, self-centered man. However, it appears this is because of the hand of God at work so that David will ascend to the throne over all of Israel. We know that later Abner will get what is due him, for he did kill one of the sons of Zeruiah, and his two brothers, Joab and Abishai, are out to avenge the death of their brother. But for now, we see Abner making an agreement with David, although David wants his first betrothed wife, Michal, whom Saul gave to another man. This was a strange culture where men betrayed each other for advancement of their own positions, as we see with Abner. But we also see that in our own culture today, many people strive to advance their positions in life. We believe there is a difference between what we would call the pagan world and the community of faith, the church. The pagan world chases after all the things, forcing their way forward to advance themselves and work for their own advantage. The people of God should be different, as we put our trust in the Almighty hand of God. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us so that we can see the light on our path and follow in accordance with where that light shines. We have been told to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He would add all the things to us that the pagans chase after. We are not to worry about what we will eat or drink, which means the substance of life, for he has given us life, but also gives us our daily needs. He will supply us, one way or another; the point is that we should not be chasing after self-advancement or the pursuit of money. Jesus told us we cannot serve both God and money. He will provide a way for us to have all we need, even enough money to live in this world. Let us not get so invested in the temporary way of this world. We have seen how God rejected Saul as king and made David king, taking David from being a shepherd of sheep to the king of all Israel. David did partner with God and did many things that caused him to become well-known in Israel. Yet, for the believer, for the people of God, we must always give all the glory to God, for it is by his hand we live and are advanced to where he would have us be, serving his kingdom.