2 Samuel 23: Final Words

When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.

David inherited a country in tatters. His fellow southerners recognized him as the new king. But Saul's son, backed by a powerful general, launched a civil war for the throne. Ugly infighting followed: intrigue, murder and treachery.

Even after David's rivals were eliminated, peace was uneasy. Unless David could heal the wounds of war, resentment might smolder in the hearts of the northerners. David's decisive action showed wisdom and firmness. He justly punished murderers who expected his gratitude. He showed respect for his enemies by mourning their deaths. From his first day in office David behaved as the king of all the people, not just his loyal followers. The northern tribes soon came over to him, submitting to his leadership (5:1-3)

David's next move was to capture Jerusalem. People said it couldn't be done; mountainous Jerusalem was impregnable. Yet, David did it, and made Jerusalem his new political and religious capital. Located on the border between north and south, Jerusalem symbolized a new national unity based on trust in God.

That was just the beginning. David led the unified tribes to do what they had barely dreamed of: They defeated the dreaded Philistines once and for all. Almost overnight the tiny, threatened nation of Israel became safe. Secure borders encouraged expanded trade, and Israel's economy boomed. (In truth, David's son Solomon reaped most of the wealth from this.) Naturally, David's popularity increased.

But David's reign held ironic tragedies, too. Samuel 2 makes no effort to hide them. David could lead a nation but not his own children. His ineffective parenting nearly destroyed all he had done, when his heartless son Absalom led a rebellion. Samuel 2 portrays David without retouching his blemishes: He was a murderer and an adulterer and a leader capable of cruelty.

Nevertheless, he was Israel's greatest king. Evan at his lowest points, his great strength of character showed. He was never vengeful with his enemies. He took full responsibility for his mistakes. He managed to remember that he had started out as a mere shepherd. He held power only by the grace of God- and he believed that God had every right to take power away. Through his love for God and his sense of astonished gratefulness for what God had done for him, David became a living embodiment of the Israel God Wanted. Like all truly great leaders, he made his country thrive not just by what he did, buy by who he was.

Life Question: What do you envision your final words to be when your time comes?

Not to skirt the question, but my true hope is that I don't leave this place regretting not having spoken my final words...whatever those may be. Both David and Moses- arguably the Old Testament's greatest leaders- were able to leave this world by leaving a poignant message to their loved ones. But, life doesn't work that neatly. My daughter's dearest neighborhood friends lost their dad about 3 years ago...he died in the hospital after having undergone what was suppose to be a routine artery stint replacement. The girls never got to say goodbye to their dad, and I'm guessing that poor guy never got to give his final words to his children.