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DAVID AVENGED THE MURDER OF ISHBOSHETH
LORD’S DAY, JULY 12
2 Samuel 4

Luke 11:33-36

 

“Take heed therefore
that the light which is

in thee be not darkness.”

 

DAVID AVENGED THE MURDER OF ISHBOSHETH
 
David was a political leader and had a high standard of spirituality. This shaped his character and mode of operation. His decisions were not informed by circumstances but by righteous precepts.
 
Rechab and Baanah (the sons of Rimmon) were in for a shock upon seeing David’s reaction to the murder of Ishbosheth. David swore in the name of the Lord who had redeemed him from all his adversities to deal righteously concerning Ishbosheth’s death.
 
David recounted the time a man brought news to him about Saul’s death. He said that the man thought he had brought good news to him. The man had even lied that he was the one who had killed Saul upon Saul’s request as he did not want to die in the hands of uncircumcised Philistines. David said that he took that man and slew him in Ziklag. That man had expected David to give him a reward for the news that he brought.
 
David’s perception was entirely different from regular public opinion because he was guided by God’s Law. He understood the law the same way Moses did. That Law was described as perfect and righteous and no other nation had such laws but Israel (Deut 4:6-9). David had a reputation as a man after God’s own heart. This description of his character was a result of his close walk with the Lord and he was careful in all his actions to follow the Lord.
 
David avenged the murder of Ishbosheth when he passed judgment on the sons of Rimmon, as he recounted that previous incident. He said, “How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron” (2 Sam 4:11-12a). It was the end for them but David obeyed the Law.
 
THOUGHT: Conformity with the moral Law manifests the truth.

PRAYER: Father, may I seek the guidance of Thy Law in my decisions.

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