March 11

2 Samuel 1-3

Saul dies and the circumstances of his death are reported to David by an Amalekite (isn’t that ironic – since it was the Amalekites that Saul did not completely destroy when he disobeyed God). We are not sure if the Amalekite is telling the truth because his version differs from what we are told about Saul’s death in I Samuel 31:3-6. Regardless, it is assumed that the Amalekite is expecting some sort of reward for “killing” Saul – what he gets is not quite what he expected.

Now you would think that David would be placed in the kingship immediately, right? After all, Saul is dead … but, no. It will be several years before he is king over all of Israel.

There is conflict between the house of Saul (and his son Ish-Bosheth) and the house of David. Unfortunately, Joab, one of David’s men, murders Abner, the strong leader for Saul’s house, because he was jealous and he decided to take things into his own hands.

David now faces a really tough situation. He knows that before God he is innocent of Abner’s death, but it is important for the people to understand this if they are ever to follow him as their king.

Often we talk about the patience of Job, who definitely did endure a lot. But it also seems that David has an incredible amount of patience as he waits for God to place him on the throne.

What do you think would have happened if Jonathan was still alive?
How would this have complicated who was to become king?
Do you have patience to wait on God?