Day 2

MAGNANIMOUS IN VICTORY

It took two years for David to be recognised as king over all Israel and at no time did he take up arms for himself. As he had waited for God to act for him while he was a fugitive so he waited again. He was no usurper, his claim was acknowledged by Saul (1 Sam. 24:18-20), by the people of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4), by Abner (2 Sam. 3:9,10) and finally by the nation as a whole (2 Sam. 5:2). The intrigue and struggles of ambitious men brought about what God had ordained.

David was more than correct in his attitude to the descendants of Saul. It is to his credit that he kept his vow made to Saul in the wilderness of Engedi (1 Sam. 24:21,22). He made no move against Ishobosheth and being unable to carry out Jonathan's dearest wish (1 Sam. 23:16-18) he honoured his friend by accepting Jonathan's son Mephibosheth into his own family (2 Sam. 9). It was probably his regard for Saul's memory that led him to receive his wife Michal into his court and stayed his hand in punishing her for her disgraceful public insult (2 Sam. 6:16-23).

The Devil is constantly at work, encouraging strife and envy and so bringing ruin and destruction for his own ends (Rev. 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8). Do you agree? Does God also intervene to alter men's attitudes and actions? How far will he go?

We have read of the fate of Jonathan and seen in our own time examples of God's people meeting adversity and death. How can we relate to verses like Psalm 37:35-37; 91:7 and Romans 8:28?