God's Sabbath

AD EEPER L ESSON

233

“In the course of time, David inquired of the L ORD . ‘Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?’ he asked. The L ORD said, ‘Go up.’” 2Samuel 2:1. When inquiring if he should return to his own land, David’s question was straightforward in nature and God gave him a sim ple affirmation in response. This did not satisfy David, who then asked quite specifically, “Where shall I go?”. In reply, God gave him further specific orders, telling him exactly where to go. “‘To Hebron,’ the L ORD answered.” 2Samuel 2:1. This is God’s way, which we must learn if we are to be success ful in the end. In response to those who seek His directions, God often provides general orders first. Too many are content with this and immediately propose to do what they fondly imagine is a great work for the Lord, making their own specific orders. However, when we learn to trust the Almighty’s ways, we will know that we must also receive our specific orders from Him be fore embarking on any project. But we need to remember that God will never issue specific orders to those who do not ask for them. Therefore, the responsibility rests with us to make sure that we receive not only general orders, but specific orders as well. The Lord directed David to return to Hebron rather than Jer usalem, because He knew that the nation had to be given time to recover from its loyalty to the house of Saul. David obeyed the explicit directive given him, and settled in Hebron from where he reigned over Judah for the first seven years after Saul’s death. He did not embark on a campaign to secure the kingdom for himself, but waited patiently for God to give it to him. This Jehovah accomplished in due time according to His promise.

David’s Mistake with Bathsheba

In the record of his deception of Achish, we find no information about any negative consequences for David, apart from the attack of his enemies on Ziklag. But this should not lead us to conclude that we will escape the results of our own wrong course of action. David was unfortunately not fully delivered from his disposi tion to make his own plans. When he later became king of Israel he reverted to his own plan making in the affair with Bathsheba.