2 Samuel 4 continues the struggle between those power-hungry people who thought that helping David out involved killing anyone who got in his way, this time showing us two men (Rekab and Baanah) who killed Saul’s descendant and king over Israel, Ish-Bosheth, following Abner’s death and Ish-Bosheth’s lack of courage. It seems by this time, there was a general consensus of belief that David would indeed become king of Israel, but whilst David was still prepared to wait for the Lord to bring about the fulfilment of His promises, others were not so keen on this spiritual approach.
The chapter reminds us of the stark contrast between the two kingdoms of this world: one where human power and might rule, and one where service, humility and patience are highly valued. David did not endorse or condone the violent means which Rekab and Baanah employed; instead, he exhibited swift justice on these two men and proceeded to bury the head of Ish-Bosheth in Abner’s tomb, a sign of respect for Saul’s family which spoke volumes. He did not need to rely on other people’s violence or ingenuity to bring about God’s purposes; he was confident in the Lord ‘who has delivered me out of every trouble.’ (2 Sam 4:9) Sure enough, by 2 Samuel 5:1-5, he is approached by the people of Israel who wish to make him king. God’s will will prevail, but we must also learn that ‘the Jesus way and the Jesus truth must be congruent. Only when the Jesus way is organically joined with the Jesus truth do we get the Jesus life.’ (Eugene Peterson, ‘The Jesus Way’) The end cannot justify the means in the spiritual life. We have to learn to do things God’s ways; DIY is not a recommended pastime in God’s kingdom!
As we survey the wreckage of the early chapters of 2 Samuel, we see violence, death, vengeance and wrong attitudes in abundance, but we also see David patiently waiting for the Lord. It took 7 ½ years from the death of Saul for David to finally become king over all Israel, but the confidence in God which was first evident when David took on Goliath (1 Sam 17:37, 46) has now matured – through adversity – into patient trust and hope in God. James reminds us that ‘the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ (James 1:3-4) Paul urges us, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ (Gal 6:9) Harvests take hard work and time to reap, but as David shows us, the results are worth waiting for!