The Blessing of Others (2 Samuel 17 - 18)
Read đź“–
Today’s reading is the whole of 2 Samuel 17 & 2 Samuel 18
Be devoted to one another in love
Romans 12:10a
Reflect ❤️
This account of the life of King David and God's people is definitely dramatic. David has fled Jerusalem, his ruling city; Absalom, his son, has swept in and positioned himself as king. David is on the run and, just like his situation at the start of 2 Samuel, potentially in a time of exile again.
In our reading today, we see David restored again to his position. There is so much going on, so much we can draw attention to! We could look at how and why David was restored as king, but let’s focus on what we can see that helped him navigate this time well—we see God using other people to bless David in this time.
There were so many that walked with him (literally) as he headed off into exile. Alongside him throughout this time, we see the devotion of others—risking life to stay in the city and work on David’s behalf face-to-face with Absalom. Others, risking life again to get word out to David. We see the wisdom and perspective of others—being able to see a situation from another viewpoint, sharing that wisdom with David and using it to change situations. There is the practical support of others: food, encouragement… even beds! The courage of others: fighting to defend what they cared for.
We can see without the blessing of those around him, who knows how David would have got through this season. David’s supporters were devoted to him; they valued him so highly, they knew he was the rightful king… “worth ten thousand of us” (18:3), they said as they headed off to battle on behalf of the true king.
As God provided for David, so His heart is to provide for us—we are a gift to each other! In Romans 12:9–21, we have a template for loving devotion to one another in the church; we see much of that on display in this portion of David's life.
But in the church, we don’t have value because we’re the rightful king; we have value because the rightful king of everything, Jesus, went out to battle on our behalf. Willingly died for us. He was in exile in his own land, persecuted, cursed; his support disappeared as the great battle came. It is him and him alone who bestowed value upon us, and he who has given us the gift of each other to meaningfully walk alongside each other.
Pray 🙏
Let’s thank Jesus, who has given us un-matched value. Thank him for his perfect loving devotion to us, that has restored us and blessed us beyond measure.
Thank Him for the church, our brothers and sisters he has gifted us to show this loving devotion to each other.
Let’s continue to examine our hearts, aligning them with the template of loving devotion in Romans 9, that by his spirit, God will align our hearts more with his, to truly value our brothers and sisters and respond with action.