Who is my enemy?

 

READ 2 Samuel 1–5

David was a wise leader who respected God’s people even though some of them opposed him. Instead of retaliating, he blessed them and saved his energies to fight against the pagan Philistines, his true enemies.

For instance, David said to the messenger who brought the news of Saul’s death and how he was part of it, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” Then he had this man executed saying, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.” (2 Samuel 1:14–16)

David grieved the loss of Saul and Jonathan his son even though the former king had repeatedly tried to kill him. Then he asked the Lord for specific instructions about what he should do next:

“Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” So David went up there . . . and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

At that time, he found out who buried Saul and told them, “May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.” (2:1–6)

How different from current politics. Imagine a newly elected leader in our country or any country treating former leaders with respect and honoring their memory. No mud-slinging in the election and no reminders to everyone of their mistakes. How amazing that would be!

David’s rise to reign over Israel was not as easy as being crowned in Judah, yet in the “long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” David grew stronger and stronger while the house of Saul became weaker. (3:1) In it, a man called Abner offered to help David. With stipulations, David agreed, but Joab, the king’s supporter, was not happy. He thought Abner came to deceive and know David’s strategies. Joab followed Abner and killed him, but this really wasn’t motivated by loyalty to David; Abner had killed Joab’s brother during a prior battle. (3:22–30)

David did not take sides. Instead, he grieved for Abner and “all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put Abner to death.” David added, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men . . . are more severe than I. The Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” (3:36–39)

Later, enemies killed Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth. They came to David with, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The Lord has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” David reminded them of what happened to the messenger who brought news of Saul’s death, then said,  “How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” He had them executed and respectfully buried the remains of the son of Saul, who actually had been the only heir to that man’s throne. (4:8–12)

Then David was anointed king over Israel. He was thirty years old when he began to reign. He reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. He became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. He knew “that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.” (5:10–12)

David was kind to God’s people but the opposite in his battle with the Philistines. Still, he asked God for specific instructions and did what God said:

“Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand . . . . You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines . . . . (5:5–25)

My enemies are not flesh and blood but worldly thinking, fleshy desires, and the devil who lies to me. God says I must deal ruthlessly with these and destroy their influence in my life. At the same time, I’m to treat other Christians with great love and respect for they are His children. Lord, thank You for David’s vivid and powerful example!