Day 118 – 2 Samuel 11:1
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 11:1
"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem."
(2 Samuel 11:1)
"And it came to pass" reminds me of
Genisis 4:8 "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him." We have walked with David through the hills of Hebron, through the taking of Jerusalem, through the bringing of the Ark, through the covenant promise of 2 Samuel 7, through Mephibosheth sitting at the king's table, and through David's victories over enemy after enemy. Now the Spirit of God sets one little verse at the doorway of one of the saddest rooms in David's life.
"After the year was expired" points us back to the battle from the previous chapter. David himself gathered all Israel and defeated the Syrians at Helam. Now, after the rainy season has passed and the campaign season returns, the unfinished business with Ammon resumes. This was a time of "return of the year" refering to springtime, when roads hardened, food for men and beasts became more available, and kings commonly launched battle operations.
The phrase "at the time when kings go forth to battle" is not just calendar information. This was the season when kings were expected to go. David was not a desk king up to this point. He was the shepherd boy who faced Goliath, the fugitive who would not touch Saul, the ruler who enquired of the LORD before fighting the Philistines, the king who crossed Jordan to meet the Syrians himself in 2 Samuel 10:17. But now the verse says, "David sent Joab." Sending Joab was not automatically sinful. A king may rightly delegate. But there is a difference between wise delegation and spiritual withdrawal. The Holy Spirit here points us to the king who once went now sends.
"But David tarried still at Jerusalem." That word "But" is where all the focus is and lets me know to pay attention. When reading this I get the feeling David is out of place. It is possible to be in Jerusalem and still be in danger. It is possible to be in the palace and be less safe than a soldier in the field. Yesterday's victory does not keep today's eyes clean. Last chapter's courage does not automatically put this chapter's feet in the right place.