February 16, 2021 – 2 Samuel 1-6

And so, the reign of David begins, following Saul’s and his son’s deaths. The young man who informed David about the deaths sought to take credit for the killing, thinking that David would be grateful. Not! And David’s response says so much about him: “And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son . . . ‘Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!’” (1:17-19).

David was anointed king, but as fine a man as he was, his reign was riddled with failures and challenges: his great sin with Bathsheba and Uriah; the various rebellions against his rule, even by his own son; the murder of Abner (Saul’s commander) by Joab (David’s commander); the murder of Ish-bosheth by men seeking to curry favor with David; and so many battles against his enemies. Ultimately, though, David was God’s man. Don’t want to flatter David in an excessive manner; he, like all of us, was a sinner, even a great sinner. But God takes great sinners and does great things in them and through them. And if anyone would doubt this to be true, just wait for the next installment of the story. What do they call it in literature, a teaser? Well, try this, from James Montgomery’s old hymn “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” (1821).

Hail to the Lord's Anointed,

great David's greater Son!

Hail in the time appointed,

his reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression,

to set the captive free;

to take away transgression,

and rule in equity.