2 Samuel 3

What’s In It For Me?

From David’s early life, it’s easy to see why he became so beloved. His respect for God’s plan and timing, his patience, his loyalty, his desire for peace, his goal of unity in the kingdom of Israel. Quite a stark difference from Saul’s near-mad behaviour, likely due to the tormenting spirit sent by God. I personally imagine this spirit to be less of a malevolent being causing mischief in Saul’s mind and more of a withdrawing of the grace of God that had previously protected Saul from his natural tendencies. But either way these two kings ran things quite differently. And when we look at the wider behaviour throughout the kingdom we can see why David stood out above the pack (and why he loved Jonathan so much — his heart was also for the Lord and for unity in Israel).

Ishbosheth (Saul’s son) accuses Abner (Saul’s general) of having an affair with his wife. While Abner never actually denies it (at least according to what’s recorded) he does get quite upset with the accusation and switches to David’s side. Abner offers to use his political connections to bring the other tribes to the unification table. David is fine with this.

BUT Joab (David’s general) does like this and executes a plot to kill Abner. Upon learning of Abner’s death David mourns and curses Joab and his brother for what they’ve done. David is NOT fine with this.

THEN a pair of brothers (Recab and Baanah, Ishbosheth’s captains) plot to kill Ishbosheth. They do so successfully and bring his head to David in another attempt to curry favour. They are executed for this act. David is NOT fine with this.

David is trying to bring unity, but everyone else is just looking out for #1. Motivated by personal sleight, revenge, or political power. And all of these motivations result in death and destruction!

This is a powerful reminder in our own lives. If we are just chasing things that bring us pleasure rather than seeking the Lord, what we are ACTUALLY chasing is our own destruction. Now, it may not come as quickly as it did for Joab, Abner, Recab, and Baanah, but it will come. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and leave the rest up to Him.

2 Samuel 3:6-4:12 | 111/365

David Pours One Out

This account strike anyone else as weird?

David was thirsty and said, “How I wish someone would give me some water to drink from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate!” So the three elite warriors broke through the Philistine forces and drew some water from the cistern in Bethlehem near the gate. They carried it back to David, but he refused to drink it. He poured it out as a drink offering to the Lord and said, “O Lord, I will not do this! It is equivalent to the blood of the men who risked their lives by going.” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three elite warriors. 

2 Samuel 23:15–17, NET

Why would David pour out his desired drink offering — one for which his greatest warriors, The Three, risked their lives? It doesn’t make any sense! I looked for guidance from serval online resources, but struggled to find any explanation that rang true. Lots of talk about the comparison to blood and how the Law would not allow Israelites to drink the blood. Another suggestion was that the water was “too good for [David]”. This still didn’t really seem to fit for me. Then I stumbled upon another brother who had the same problem, the late Jay Guin. He pointed me to a commentary by one Hamilton Smith which reads:

Many would have been ready to risk their lives in carrying out some service for the benefit of the kingdom; but these mighty men were ready to face death in order to do something that was wholly for the gratification of the desire of David. They broke through the host of the Philistines, drew water from the well, and brought it to David. This act of devotion delighted the heart of David, and he sees in it a sacrifice of which the Lord alone is worthy. Hence, refusing to drink the water, he pours it out before the Lord.

Edification Vol. 6, 1932, page 169.

It seems entirely plausible to me that David felt these men risking their lives for a whim of his was not appropriate. Their lives could only be laid down in service of the LORD, not of David’s wants and desires (seems David would soften his position on that later) and so he took the plunder acquired by these great warriors and poured it out to the Lord. Thus giving their battle, victory, and possible sacrifice back to Him — the ONLY one who was worthy of such risk and effort.

Let’s make sure that we, likewise, use our most valuable resources on the most valuable things: Jesus and His Gospel.

2 Samuel 2:1-3:5, 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 | 110/365