Read 2 Samuel 8-9, Ezekiel 47, and Mark 11.
This devotional is about 2 Samuel 8-9.
It was a long, winding road for David from being anointed as king back in 1 Samuel 16 to becoming king of all Israel in 2 Samuel 5. After many days of adversity and danger, David was enjoying some success, finally, in the past few chapters of 2 Samuel.
Chapter 8 of our reading today is especially positive. It describes:
- military success (vv. 1-6)
- increasing wealth (vv. 7-12), and
- growing fame (v. 13).
Verse 14 ends with this apt summary: “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.”
When someone is highly successful, that person may be tempted to become proud or merely complacent. The possibility of kicking back and enjoying the fruit of success can be enticing.
David, in chapter 9, went the other direction. When he finally obtained success he stared looking for ways to be an unselfish, kind servant. Verse 3 told us, “The king asked, ‘Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’” The answer was Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, the lame lad of Lo Debar (v. 4).
David moved him to Jerusalem and Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table as if he were a relative (v. 13). David also provided him with servants who tended to his land (vv. 9-10). This was an incredibly gracious act by king David and it made a significant difference in the life of a man with physical limitations.
Are you in a season of life marked by success and stability? If so, have you looked for a way to serve?
