2 Samuel 4:8-11 – Remembering God’s Goodness
Baanah and Rechab hope that by talking about God’s providence, David will join them in using Christian language as a mask for ambition. Because David actually has a lot to gain if he goes along with their version of events. They’re handing him what he has been waiting for, for so many years. All he has to do is go along with their Christiany-sounding explanation. But trying to use readings of God’s providence as a way to make decisions is fraught with danger. Especially when providence seems to be backing up what we want to do anyway. So we must stick to God’s Word, and base our decisions on the principles contained in it, and not base our decisions on what we think he’s doing in any given situation.
So that’s one temptation David faces. But another temptation is to shift his utter reliance on God, and place it in human schemes. Do you hear the subtle suggestion behind v8? ‘Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life’. In other words. Your life was in danger. But now it’s not. And that’s because of us. The temptation is for David to accept their version of events, and start living like he’s indebted to them. But do you see how David counters their claim? The say, v8: ‘Saul, your enemy, who sought your life’. David says, v9. ‘The LORD, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity’. Remembering God’s goodness to you will help stop you wavering. It will help keep you from attributing your success to yourself or others.
Questions
- What does David have to gain here?
- What does David say about God?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would remember the goodness of God.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.