Stronger

 DEVOTION

2^ND SAMUEL

STRONGER

2 Sam 3:1-11

3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3 his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream the son of David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron. 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.

NIV

We know this is the hand of God making David’s house stronger, while at the same time weakening the strength of the house of Saul. Although we are given the names of the sons of David, one in particular stands out, Adonijah, for he declared himself to be king. However, there is also a lot said about Absalom, such as that he set up a statue in his own honor. Our story could be about Abner, who serves the house of Saul, yet he serves himself even more than Saul. That could be interesting to make a comparison between Abner and us. We say that we serve the Lord, submitting to his authority in our lives, yet how much do we serve our own interests? The reason the house of Saul became weaker and weaker is that God rejected Saul as king because he was disobedient, offering a sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel, and instead God found a king after his own heart. We could see a lesson for us in the house of David as he became stronger and stronger while the house of Saul weakened. As long as we are seeking after God, wanting his reign in our lives, our house will become stronger and stronger. The Hebrew word translated as house, can be a physical dwelling, but it refers to the whole of his household, all that he resides over as king of Judah. It is also used for a temple, and there we could use it metaphorically as we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. This could then be seen as long as we seek after the heart of God, our temple or bodies will grow stronger and stronger. But if we live a little more like Abner, serving a king, but serving himself more, then we do not think we could expect to grow stronger, maybe even grow weaker. Abner was supposed to be a supporter of Saul, but said he would serve David now and make sure all the kingdom would be his. Abner is a traitor in that sense, but all the while serving his own interests. Let us be careful about who we serve. Sure, we have wants or desires and we spent time on our own pleasures, whatever they are, and we need to do those things to maintain our lives, work, buy food, clothes, housing, transportation, etc. but the trouble might be when we put forth our effort to advance our place in the world, or even in the church, or ministry, doing everything in the flesh rather than seeking the will of God, and only doing or following his direction for our lives, both in the world and in the church. In other words, we go when He says go, and we wait when he says wait, or even stop when he says stop. We cannot drive our own lives; we must sit in the passenger side and allow God to drive us wherever he desires, then we will grow stronger.