2025 2 Samuel 1-2, Live By God’s Timing
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2025-03-23 15:19
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Live By God’s Timing
2 Samuel 2:1-11
King Saul died in a war with his three sons. Around 13 years ago, David was anointed to become a king. Because there is no king in Israel now, it seems natural for David to become the king of Israel. However, man’s timing (chromos-linear, measurable time with clocks and calendars) and God’s timing (kairos- a time when something is "ripe" or "ready” where God's intervention or purpose is revealed) are different. In today’s passage, we see how and when a leader is raised.
First, wait.
At that time, the capital of Israel was Gibeon. When King Saul died, it seemed natural for David to go to Gibeon to become the king of Israel. However, David did not do that. The Bible says that David is a man after God’s own heart because he prayed to God first and asked God’s will and direction in such decisive moment. David did not follow man’s timing but God’s.
Look at verse 1. David inquired of the LORD. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” The Lord said, “Go up.” David must have deeply thought that he would need to go Judah. But he prayed first, “Lord, is this right? Should I go this way?” Faith is to pray to God first before doing something and moving to someplace though we may already have plans. “Lord, should I go this way? Should I take this job? Should I start this business? Should I meet and marry the person?” It is dangerous to move or work without asking God first.
If you proceed without praying, you could be broken and ruined. If you do what you want without praying, your life would be messed up. Therefore, pray first before working or moving. Ask God first and wait for God’s way and time.
David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered. David might have been surprised because Hebron was a small town on the outskirts of Judah. Since Saul was dead, if David went to Gibeon, the capital of Israel, he could become the king of all Israel. But why did God direct David to Hebron? Why did God make him a king of Judah, only one tribe among 12 tribes?
Gibeon was the place where Saul ruled with the vested interests for 40 years. David had to start a new kingdom, but if he went to Gibeon, he would be pressured by the people of established power. Gibeon was a place where people gathered according to their human ambitions and own interests. On the other hand, Hebron would be a place where people gather to share God’s calling with David.
Spiritually, a church could become either like Gibeon or Hebron according to people’s motivation. If people come to church for their own interests, the church becomes noisy like a market. On the other hand, if people come to church with faith, a heart of devotion and sacrifice, the church becomes God-centered, peaceful and full of vitality.
Brothers, I want you to be sensitive to not man’s timing but God’s timing. I want you to start not from Gibeon but from Hebron. Start from the place where there is the word of God and where you can meet God’s people and where you can experience the presence of God. Hebron is a small and little-known place, but it is the place of God.
“Go to Hebron” God Knew that David still needed time to be prepared to become the king of all Israel. For the last 13 years, he had wandered here and there as a fugitive. He had only 600 people who were not experienced in military and politics. In fact, David was too young and too small to become the king of all Israel. God wanted David to humbly rely on Him more. David needed to go there to meet those whom he really needed. And there, David needed to experience God deeply through worship and prayer because for the last 13 years, he could not worship God properly
They said that while crossing the desert, you must have rest when you find an oasis. An oasis is a place to recover strength and prepare for the future journey. If you keep walking without resting when you find an oasis, you will soon or eventually exhaust yourself.
When you find an oasis on your long life journey, have rest there. In our life journey, the oasis is worship and prayer in the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. When God created man, He set a Sabbath day for man to have rest. Man was not created to be an independent being but to depend on God through worship.
Not a few people think they could accomplish a lot if they work hard without worship and prayer. Don’t be deceived. You and I were not created that way. Worship God and pray unconditionally in all circumstances. David learned how to rest in Hebron before becoming the king of all Israel. Then he became a wise, able and powerful king of Israel for the next 40 years. His staying in Hebron for 7.6 years became the foundation of his 40-year brilliant and successful reign.
God made David not the king of all of Israel from the beginning, but the king of Judah, one tribe among twelve. It is like David received only half. If God gives you only half, be thankful and satisfied with that half and wait.
Here, ‘half’ means something incomplete, lacking or weak. “Lord, why do you only give me half? Why don’t you give me good IQ, a good job (career), a good house and good health?” Paul desperately pleaded with the Lord, “Lord, please give me good health.” Then the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Don’t protest, saying, “Lord, why do you only give me half?” Instead, learn how to be thankful with that half and be loyal to that half.
Look at verse 11. “The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.” Seven years and six months is not short. Have you experienced going to Hebron, a small or unknown or insecure place or position or possession?
Hebron means fellowship. God sent David to Hebron to have fellowship with Him and experience His presence. For the last 13 years of wilderness life as a fugitive, he could not worship God regularly and properly. Before becoming king of Israel, God wanted him to restore worship with God’s people.
Here is a message for us. We must also experience God’s presence. When and how? Through worship, prayer and gospel work. Our church emphasizes these three things; worship, prayer and gospel work. Why? It is because there is a promise of God’s presence when we do these three things. This is the Hebron experience.
Go to Hebron. (Going to weekly Bible study could be your Hebron.) There, worship God and have fellowship with him. There, be loyal to the half you received from God.
People move towards better housing, more desirable neighborhoods and job opportunities. How about you? Some people move toward money. Some move after their friends. Some move after their mood. They leave the church and mission at any time when they could pursue a good income job or make more money. When they feel good, they come to worship service but when they do not, they don’t come. It’s really sad. How can they move by such things? David moved toward God’s word and His presence.
The reason God gave David only half in Hebron was because God wanted him not to be overconfident and overestimate himself but humbly rely on Him through worship and fellowship. There, David cultivated his inner self and skill to be prepared to rule over the whole Israel. God is a good God. He prepares his people for bigger and greater job. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Waiting is not easy. However, learn the value of waiting. Waiting can be a valuable time for personal growth, reflection, and the development of patience and resilience. Joseph waited for 13 years, Abraham, 25 years, Moses, 40 years and Noah waited for 120 years. When God gives you only half, do not ignore the half but be loyal to that half and wait. Then God will give you the other half at His timing.
Here, we need to examine the purpose and goal of life. The purpose of life is the glory of God. Education, job (career), marriage, health and business are not the purpose but goals to fulfill the purpose of life. David's goal is to become a king of Israel and his purpose is to reveal the glory of God.
Now, there are two ways to become a king (achieve your goal.) One is by my own will, strategy and method. The other is by God's will and method. I believe that you have a goal. (If not, you must.) What is that purpose of your goal and how will you achieve it?
When Saul died, David could have gone up to Gibeon immediately and become king of Israel. However, he prayed to God and waited for God's timing. On the other hand, Abner, Saul's army commander was opportunistic and self-seeking. He made Saul's son Ishbosheth king of Israel. But he made Ishbosheth a puppet and held the real power. He knew God’s will. It was for David to become the king of Israel, but he made Saul's son king according to his own interest. This is the way of the world. The way to achieve man’s goals in the world is to compromise, deceive, pursue self-interest with give and take. This is Abner's way. His end was so tragic.
However, David followed God's will, timing and method. He lived by God's calling, "I have made you the shepherd of Israel." He had no human ambition. Psalm 78:72 says, “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” In Hebron, he cultivated integrity of heart and skill to rule over Israel as a shepherd.
“Boys, be ambitious!” This was a speech for professors and students in a Japanese university. But the real message of the speaker was, “Boys, don’t be ambitious” because those who have blinded and self-centered ambition do not only accomplish it but also cause harm to themselves and the society.
Do not live with human ambition. Instead cultivate integrity of your heart and skill to serve the people and society in God. David did not make himself to be king by himself but let God do that. This is another way to become a king and achieve the goal. Becoming a king through prayer, humility, discipline and waiting, this is the way of God.
If your goal is good grades or a stable job, good grades or a stable job through prayer waiting for God’s timing, this is the way of God. Is it too cliché? Is it too unrealistic?
If your goal is job, marriage or success, achieve it by God’s way. Therefore, ask God and go to Hebron first. There, have fellowship with God through worship and prayer. Rely on God and wait like David. Cultivate the integrity of your heart and learn necessary skill. Then you will become a king (achieve your goal).
If you achieve your goal without prayer and without worship, know that this is not a blessing. It is highly likely that you bow down before Satan. Then there will surely be side effects because you have sold your spirit.
Marriage out of human feelings without prayer and worship, you will soon know there are lots of troubles. Getting a job and starting a business without prayer and worship may seem to be going well, but in the end, you will either lose faith or everything. Studying, marriage, business by prayer and worship, this is completely different. There are no side effects. Before starting something, ask God first. Follow God's timing and method. This is true blessing. I pray that you may live this kind of life.
David became a king of Judas in Hebron. Still he was faithful to the Lord. He longed for, prayed and waited to become the king of a united Israel. Then his goal came true. This is the path that God's people take. (Long for, pray, wait and experience a miracle.)
If you think God gave you only half, don’t complain or be disappointed. Instead, know that God has sent you to Hebron so that you may have deeper fellowship with Him through worship and prayer. There, wait and cultivate the integrity of your heart and skill until you become a king and achieve your goal. God will give you more than you think and expect.
Second, be broad.
Saul died miserably. The Philistines cut Saul’s and his three sons’ head and sent them to their temple. And they hung their bodies on the wall to mock them. It was a great humiliation. Then the men from Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to take their bodies from the wall and buried them.
In 1 Samuel 11, when the people of Jabesh were in a crisis, Saul saved them. Now, they showed their loyalty and honour to their dead King Saul. Their actions seemed reckless and foolish. It seems that they were living under a rock. David’s era has come but they are loyal to Saul still. Those who are smart and shrewd never do that. However, they did not forget the grace they had received from Saul. They were indeed loyal people.
For their own security, dictators try to eliminate all competitors. In the ancient world, rulers did the same. A new king customarily killed the former King’s relatives and those who were loyal to the former King since they were potential rivals. Not David. If David was self-centered and humanly ambitious, he would have put the people of Jabesh to death on the charge of treason. However, David saw them in God’s prospective.
Look at verse 5-6. “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.” David is so nice. When David embraced and blessed them, he became deeper and wider. This is the character of David’s kingdom. In David’s kingdom such faithful and loyal people would be blessed and honored regardless of which tribe they belonged to. Then, the people on Saul's side accepted David as their leader and Israel became united.
David was a godly and truthful leader who knew to forgive, embrace, reward and bless. Later, David even forgave and embraced Abner, an opportunist. We Christians and church must forgive and bless those who are like Gilead people and Abner. May God bless you to live like David, praying and waiting.
2 Samuel 2:1-11
King Saul died in a war with his three sons. Around 13 years ago, David was anointed to become a king. Because there is no king in Israel now, it seems natural for David to become the king of Israel. However, man’s timing (chromos-linear, measurable time with clocks and calendars) and God’s timing (kairos- a time when something is "ripe" or "ready” where God's intervention or purpose is revealed) are different. In today’s passage, we see how and when a leader is raised.
First, wait.
At that time, the capital of Israel was Gibeon. When King Saul died, it seemed natural for David to go to Gibeon to become the king of Israel. However, David did not do that. The Bible says that David is a man after God’s own heart because he prayed to God first and asked God’s will and direction in such decisive moment. David did not follow man’s timing but God’s.
Look at verse 1. David inquired of the LORD. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” The Lord said, “Go up.” David must have deeply thought that he would need to go Judah. But he prayed first, “Lord, is this right? Should I go this way?” Faith is to pray to God first before doing something and moving to someplace though we may already have plans. “Lord, should I go this way? Should I take this job? Should I start this business? Should I meet and marry the person?” It is dangerous to move or work without asking God first.
If you proceed without praying, you could be broken and ruined. If you do what you want without praying, your life would be messed up. Therefore, pray first before working or moving. Ask God first and wait for God’s way and time.
David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered. David might have been surprised because Hebron was a small town on the outskirts of Judah. Since Saul was dead, if David went to Gibeon, the capital of Israel, he could become the king of all Israel. But why did God direct David to Hebron? Why did God make him a king of Judah, only one tribe among 12 tribes?
Gibeon was the place where Saul ruled with the vested interests for 40 years. David had to start a new kingdom, but if he went to Gibeon, he would be pressured by the people of established power. Gibeon was a place where people gathered according to their human ambitions and own interests. On the other hand, Hebron would be a place where people gather to share God’s calling with David.
Spiritually, a church could become either like Gibeon or Hebron according to people’s motivation. If people come to church for their own interests, the church becomes noisy like a market. On the other hand, if people come to church with faith, a heart of devotion and sacrifice, the church becomes God-centered, peaceful and full of vitality.
Brothers, I want you to be sensitive to not man’s timing but God’s timing. I want you to start not from Gibeon but from Hebron. Start from the place where there is the word of God and where you can meet God’s people and where you can experience the presence of God. Hebron is a small and little-known place, but it is the place of God.
“Go to Hebron” God Knew that David still needed time to be prepared to become the king of all Israel. For the last 13 years, he had wandered here and there as a fugitive. He had only 600 people who were not experienced in military and politics. In fact, David was too young and too small to become the king of all Israel. God wanted David to humbly rely on Him more. David needed to go there to meet those whom he really needed. And there, David needed to experience God deeply through worship and prayer because for the last 13 years, he could not worship God properly
They said that while crossing the desert, you must have rest when you find an oasis. An oasis is a place to recover strength and prepare for the future journey. If you keep walking without resting when you find an oasis, you will soon or eventually exhaust yourself.
When you find an oasis on your long life journey, have rest there. In our life journey, the oasis is worship and prayer in the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. When God created man, He set a Sabbath day for man to have rest. Man was not created to be an independent being but to depend on God through worship.
Not a few people think they could accomplish a lot if they work hard without worship and prayer. Don’t be deceived. You and I were not created that way. Worship God and pray unconditionally in all circumstances. David learned how to rest in Hebron before becoming the king of all Israel. Then he became a wise, able and powerful king of Israel for the next 40 years. His staying in Hebron for 7.6 years became the foundation of his 40-year brilliant and successful reign.
God made David not the king of all of Israel from the beginning, but the king of Judah, one tribe among twelve. It is like David received only half. If God gives you only half, be thankful and satisfied with that half and wait.
Here, ‘half’ means something incomplete, lacking or weak. “Lord, why do you only give me half? Why don’t you give me good IQ, a good job (career), a good house and good health?” Paul desperately pleaded with the Lord, “Lord, please give me good health.” Then the Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Don’t protest, saying, “Lord, why do you only give me half?” Instead, learn how to be thankful with that half and be loyal to that half.
Look at verse 11. “The length of time David was king in Hebron over Judah was seven years and six months.” Seven years and six months is not short. Have you experienced going to Hebron, a small or unknown or insecure place or position or possession?
Hebron means fellowship. God sent David to Hebron to have fellowship with Him and experience His presence. For the last 13 years of wilderness life as a fugitive, he could not worship God regularly and properly. Before becoming king of Israel, God wanted him to restore worship with God’s people.
Here is a message for us. We must also experience God’s presence. When and how? Through worship, prayer and gospel work. Our church emphasizes these three things; worship, prayer and gospel work. Why? It is because there is a promise of God’s presence when we do these three things. This is the Hebron experience.
Go to Hebron. (Going to weekly Bible study could be your Hebron.) There, worship God and have fellowship with him. There, be loyal to the half you received from God.
People move towards better housing, more desirable neighborhoods and job opportunities. How about you? Some people move toward money. Some move after their friends. Some move after their mood. They leave the church and mission at any time when they could pursue a good income job or make more money. When they feel good, they come to worship service but when they do not, they don’t come. It’s really sad. How can they move by such things? David moved toward God’s word and His presence.
The reason God gave David only half in Hebron was because God wanted him not to be overconfident and overestimate himself but humbly rely on Him through worship and fellowship. There, David cultivated his inner self and skill to be prepared to rule over the whole Israel. God is a good God. He prepares his people for bigger and greater job. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Waiting is not easy. However, learn the value of waiting. Waiting can be a valuable time for personal growth, reflection, and the development of patience and resilience. Joseph waited for 13 years, Abraham, 25 years, Moses, 40 years and Noah waited for 120 years. When God gives you only half, do not ignore the half but be loyal to that half and wait. Then God will give you the other half at His timing.
Here, we need to examine the purpose and goal of life. The purpose of life is the glory of God. Education, job (career), marriage, health and business are not the purpose but goals to fulfill the purpose of life. David's goal is to become a king of Israel and his purpose is to reveal the glory of God.
Now, there are two ways to become a king (achieve your goal.) One is by my own will, strategy and method. The other is by God's will and method. I believe that you have a goal. (If not, you must.) What is that purpose of your goal and how will you achieve it?
When Saul died, David could have gone up to Gibeon immediately and become king of Israel. However, he prayed to God and waited for God's timing. On the other hand, Abner, Saul's army commander was opportunistic and self-seeking. He made Saul's son Ishbosheth king of Israel. But he made Ishbosheth a puppet and held the real power. He knew God’s will. It was for David to become the king of Israel, but he made Saul's son king according to his own interest. This is the way of the world. The way to achieve man’s goals in the world is to compromise, deceive, pursue self-interest with give and take. This is Abner's way. His end was so tragic.
However, David followed God's will, timing and method. He lived by God's calling, "I have made you the shepherd of Israel." He had no human ambition. Psalm 78:72 says, “David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” In Hebron, he cultivated integrity of heart and skill to rule over Israel as a shepherd.
“Boys, be ambitious!” This was a speech for professors and students in a Japanese university. But the real message of the speaker was, “Boys, don’t be ambitious” because those who have blinded and self-centered ambition do not only accomplish it but also cause harm to themselves and the society.
Do not live with human ambition. Instead cultivate integrity of your heart and skill to serve the people and society in God. David did not make himself to be king by himself but let God do that. This is another way to become a king and achieve the goal. Becoming a king through prayer, humility, discipline and waiting, this is the way of God.
If your goal is good grades or a stable job, good grades or a stable job through prayer waiting for God’s timing, this is the way of God. Is it too cliché? Is it too unrealistic?
If your goal is job, marriage or success, achieve it by God’s way. Therefore, ask God and go to Hebron first. There, have fellowship with God through worship and prayer. Rely on God and wait like David. Cultivate the integrity of your heart and learn necessary skill. Then you will become a king (achieve your goal).
If you achieve your goal without prayer and without worship, know that this is not a blessing. It is highly likely that you bow down before Satan. Then there will surely be side effects because you have sold your spirit.
Marriage out of human feelings without prayer and worship, you will soon know there are lots of troubles. Getting a job and starting a business without prayer and worship may seem to be going well, but in the end, you will either lose faith or everything. Studying, marriage, business by prayer and worship, this is completely different. There are no side effects. Before starting something, ask God first. Follow God's timing and method. This is true blessing. I pray that you may live this kind of life.
David became a king of Judas in Hebron. Still he was faithful to the Lord. He longed for, prayed and waited to become the king of a united Israel. Then his goal came true. This is the path that God's people take. (Long for, pray, wait and experience a miracle.)
If you think God gave you only half, don’t complain or be disappointed. Instead, know that God has sent you to Hebron so that you may have deeper fellowship with Him through worship and prayer. There, wait and cultivate the integrity of your heart and skill until you become a king and achieve your goal. God will give you more than you think and expect.
Second, be broad.
Saul died miserably. The Philistines cut Saul’s and his three sons’ head and sent them to their temple. And they hung their bodies on the wall to mock them. It was a great humiliation. Then the men from Jabesh Gilead risked their lives to take their bodies from the wall and buried them.
In 1 Samuel 11, when the people of Jabesh were in a crisis, Saul saved them. Now, they showed their loyalty and honour to their dead King Saul. Their actions seemed reckless and foolish. It seems that they were living under a rock. David’s era has come but they are loyal to Saul still. Those who are smart and shrewd never do that. However, they did not forget the grace they had received from Saul. They were indeed loyal people.
For their own security, dictators try to eliminate all competitors. In the ancient world, rulers did the same. A new king customarily killed the former King’s relatives and those who were loyal to the former King since they were potential rivals. Not David. If David was self-centered and humanly ambitious, he would have put the people of Jabesh to death on the charge of treason. However, David saw them in God’s prospective.
Look at verse 5-6. “The LORD bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.” David is so nice. When David embraced and blessed them, he became deeper and wider. This is the character of David’s kingdom. In David’s kingdom such faithful and loyal people would be blessed and honored regardless of which tribe they belonged to. Then, the people on Saul's side accepted David as their leader and Israel became united.
David was a godly and truthful leader who knew to forgive, embrace, reward and bless. Later, David even forgave and embraced Abner, an opportunist. We Christians and church must forgive and bless those who are like Gilead people and Abner. May God bless you to live like David, praying and waiting.