David, restored as king of Israel, is growing older, and whilst the battles against the Philistines continue, his strength is not what it used to be. In 2 Sam 21:15 we read that he became ‘exhausted’, and as a result, his men begged him not to be actively involved in battle anymore, for fear that he might be killed.
This must have been a difficult decision, but Israel’s victories were not dependent on David, as the rest of the chapter makes clear. Other men (Sibbekai the Hushathite, Elhanan son of Jair and Jonathan, David’s brother) are named as killing Philistine opponents. The chapter reminds us not only of our human frailty but of the fact that victory is dependent on God. He will raise up leaders and ensure His work continues.
Some themes which are found in this chapter include:
- the absolute importance of covenant in God’s eyes (regardless of time spans)
- the necessity of atonement through sacrifice (foreshadowing Jesus’s sacrifice for us on the cross)
- the ongoing nature of battles in life (the Philistines are still there, causing trouble!)
- how to deal with exhaustion
- how victory comes through God and not through any one individual
- how God raises up people to bring about the victory He has planned
- how the ‘next generation’ has a part to play in the work of God.