2 Samuel 15:13-31 – God is Sovereign
David is the Lord’s anointed. Even when David knew it was God’s will for him to be king one day, he refused to put out his hand and touch Saul. Because Saul was still the Lord’s anointed. But Absalom has no such qualms. And now David has to leave the city of David. He’s a fugitive once again. He knows that if he and those closest to him don’t leave, Absalom will have no mercy on them.
How does God’s anointed react when trouble comes? And how should his people? The first thing to notice in verse 25 is that David acknowledges God’s sovereignty. Leaving the city was never part of David’s plan. He leaves weeping. It’s hard not to be moved as we picture David in verse 17 stopping at the last house, taking his last sight of Jerusalem. He is hurting. That much is clear. But he’s not frantic. He realises what must be done. He acts with the urgency that’s needed. But you don’t get a sense that he’s panicking. He knows, in verse 25, that the LORD is ultimately behind what’s happening. He realises that he’s in the LORD’s hand. In trouble, he looks to the LORD. And he prays to the LORD.
When he hears in verse 31 that Ahithophel was among the conspirators, he doesn’t respond by giving vent to his anger or frustration. He doesn’t start into personal attacks on Ahithophel. Instead, he simply responds by shooting an arrow prayer up to God: ‘O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness’. If we were quicker to do that when someone lets us down rather than using our tongues to tear strips off them, we’d be much the better for it.
Question
- How does David react when trouble comes?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would recognise God’s gracious sovereignty in our life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.