Saul is dead; David becomes king over all of Israel. Whatever tension there had been between the supporters of Saul and the Supporters of David prior to Saul’s death appears to have vanished. Perhaps the reason for the quick declaration of support was the ever present danger of the Philistine armies! It was clear that only a concerted, united, God-directed effort from Israel would be successful in throwing off the Philistine yoke.

Israel recognized in David the one whom God had chosen to lead His people. As the “mighty men” are listed, it almost appears as though they were in competition with one another to see who could do the greatest thing for their king, their country, and their God.

Often times the church does not rally around its leaders because we do not recognize that our common, deceitful enemy requires a unified attack in order to be defeated. We all, denominations, churches and even individual Christians want to do it “our way.” That will not achieve the goal of Satan’s defeat in the earthly battles. We must be united under God and the human leaders He appoints – or we will fail!

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  1 Peter 5:8,9

This section begins with a lengthy review of Saul’s genealogy. It is basically a historical record of names, but one interesting note was the divorce mentioned in 8:8. There have been marital challenges, probably from the beginning of time, and unfortunately God’s people are not exempt. They are however, encouraged to rise above these challenges by demonstrating sacrificial love.

After the genealogical review, which follows through the exile to Babylon and back to the land, we read of Saul’s demise. The cause is summed up in 10:13, “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD.”

The greatest tragedy in our life would be to begin faithfully serving the Lord (as Saul did) but then to drift off on our own – doing what we thought was best for us and for God’s people. Saul so totally lost touch with God that he consulted a medium for guidance. Where are we seeking guidance? Are we willing to wait to hear God, to wait for God’s instructions and then act upon them? Or, do we develop the plan for our life and then ask God to bless what we have designed?

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”  Proverbs 16:9

The names continue, a tough read as lots of the names are hard to pronounce. We can get so distracted by them that we either skip it all, or we turn our minds off and miss the things God wants to say to us. Nestled in among the names are instructions and explanations.

Chapter six begins by listing the Levites, the “spiritual workers,” and continues on in chapter seven with the warriors listed clan by clan. Those who went out to fight the battles were important and knowing their numbers makes good strategic sense. However, the relationship between God and His people was paramount, even more important than the strength of the army.

This should remind us that, no matter what our position, our role or our perceived importance, the most critical aspect of our lives must be our relationship with God. Each one of us is subject to the regulations that govern our existence and explain our purpose. Ultimately we are all accountable to God, but He has ordained a structure for us to follow. I must fulfill my role, not try to do someone else’s. I must first establish and strengthen my relationship with God so I know my role!

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

Another marathon of names, although more of these names are familiar to us. It becomes clear that the people of Israel have become fruitful and their numbers have multiplies greatly. Yet, there are a couple of lines within these chapters that remind us, God is the focus! Even though He uses people; even though Israel has become a significant nation in the world (two nations), it must always be about God! “He answered their prayers, because they trusted him.” (5:20). “They also took … because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.” (5:21,22).

Sometimes, when our numbers grow, or when some particular strategy appears to be successful, we think we have the ability to do great things. No strategy, no numerical advantage can overcome God! If He has a plan, a plan He will fulfill, no human strategy, weapon or strength will be able to undermine Him.

Am I following and fulfilling God’s plan? Or, do I have my own? It really is about determining what God is doing … and then joining Him!

“no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,”  declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 54:17

Names, names and more names, most of them difficult to pronounce, but important names as the history of Israel is developed. The list begins long before the establishment of Israel, with Adam and then progresses to those nations that ruled the land prior to God’s people being established there. Perhaps this was to remind Israel of their humble, and relatively late, beginnings.  The names are listed to allow an understanding of the connections over generations.

Though many of the names are unfamiliar, there appears to be an intertwining of names from various families. There is also a very clear thread of the line of Christ, which is reinforced in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

We are reminded of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises and in using humanity to accomplish His purposes. God’s covenant with Abraham, and even Adam before that, promised a Messiah. We can trace Jesus’ ancestry right back to Abraham and Adam.  God is faithful in keeping His promises.  God uses an incredible variety of people in the process.  Are we willing to be used by God?  Do we rejoice when He uses others that are quite different from us?  We should be able to answer with an unqualified “Yes,” to both questions!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17

 Josiah turns the people of Judah back to God using all the resources at his disposal.  He burns and defiles every idol, altar and worship object not of God.  He killed the false prophets and gave honor to God.  The Word of God was read and obeyed as the Passover Celebration exemplified (23:21-23).  Yet it was not enough; it was a “forced” turning to God and the people’s hearts were still divided.  They quickly turned away from God after Josiah was killed and his sons did not follow in his footsteps.

What a vivid reminder of how quickly humanity can turn away from God!  Not only does it happen with a group of people, like the nation of Israel, it can happen in our own individual lives.  If I am not consistently seeking God through prayer, Scripture reading and other Spiritual Disciplines, I am drifting away!  I must take responsibility for my spiritual health.  No one else can!

“… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus …” Hebrews 12:1,2

The story of Hezekiah continues. He becomes ill and eventually dies. Manasseh, Amon and Josiah follow, with Josiah turning back to the Lord when the Book of the Law is discovered in the Temple and brought to him. Hezekiah, however, had committed a dangerous act when he showed envoys from Babylon all of his vast wealth and treasure. It may have been pride that prompted him, but the display allowed the Babylonians to see great wealth, which they coveted and eventually captured.

Solomon warned that the consequences of pride were dangerous. Our treasure may not be material wealth, but whenever we allow our pride to control us we will suffer consequences. Sometimes those consequences will be minimal; at other times they will be as harmful as those which Judah suffered.

What causes pride to rise in our life? We must be careful not to boast in and about those gifts God has given us and blessed in us. We must remember to make our boast in Christ! He is the One of whom we can be proud. He alone deserves praise and adoration!

“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.”  Jeremiah 9:23,24

Hezekiah, king of Judah, is the focus of these two chapters.  He does the “human” thing, by paying financial tribute to Sennacherib, the king of Assyria.  Hezekiah eventually turns to God, asking for protection from the boasting Assyrian king.

God overlooks Hezekiah’s failure (if it was even a failure, since it is not mentioned at all) and God causes the Assyrian army to be defeated without any human involvement.  The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 soldiers, prompting a retreat.  Sennacherib was later killed by his own sons, ironically perhaps, while worshipping a false god.

We used to sing the song, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord,” perhaps in some measure based upon Psalm 20:7.  Do I believe it?  If God could save Judah by killing soldiers with no human help, does it not seem like a small thing for Him to intervene in the various battles we face within the world and in our own lives?  Why do these battles go on?  Why do God’s people struggle to “do better”?  Is there not willingness on the part of God’s people to seek out His will and then submit?  God forgive me for my attitude; tackling problems on my own!  We need to fall on our knees before You, as Hezekiah did, and put all our trust in You!

“The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise … For God will bring every deed into judgment.” Ecclesiastes 9:11, 14

The spiritual decline continues in both Israel and Judah.  God finally has enough of Israel’s rebellion and Assyria’s armies completely overtake the land.  The people are deported and people from other lands are settled in Israel.  While they quickly recognize their need to worship the One True God (even though they do not acknowledge Him in that way or forsake their own gods) they develop a syncretistic worship, including Yahweh along with their own national god.  Is it any wonder that the Samaritans were reviled in Jesus’ day?  Is it any wonder the Pharisees, in their zeal to protect the faith, rejected anything that seemed amiss, especially if it came from Samaria?  (Unfortunately this also caused them to miss the Messiah)!

Those who deeply desire to “protect” pure worship sometimes miss the new thing that God seeks to do, because of their fear.  Others, who just as earnestly want to honor God, tend to chase the “new thing.”  We must recognize the love for God within each group and celebrate their passion and desire to honor God!  We might be able to discuss and discover truth together through God’s Word!

“For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”  Romans 10:2

The cycles continue in the royal houses of both Israel and Judah.  Israel’s kings continue to follow the example set for them by their first king, Jereboam.  Each succeeding king is evil; sometimes worse, sometimes not quite as bad.  Finally God sends the Assyrians and the first dispersion of God’s people is underway.

Judah appears to maintain a slightly less evil direction.  These kings build on the foundation established by David.  Although none of them moves to complete surrender and obedience to God, they at least maintain Him in His place of honor.  (With a few exceptions).  However, their faith seems to be in David’s God; He is not their own God!

God’s patience, even with Israel, is quite amazing.  Generation after generation rebels against Him, yet He continues to give them opportunity to come back.  While the nation may have remained in rebellion, perhaps there were individuals that turned back to God.

While I can be thankful for God’s patience with me, I must remember that His patience does have limits!  I must worship Him with my whole, undivided heart!

“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” Psalm 86:11