The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 4:7-11,
"They [Rekab and Baanah] had gone into the house while he [Ish-Bosheth, Saul's grandson] was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.'
David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, "Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!'"
Thus came the end of Rekab and Baanah. David had given his promise to Saul that he would honor Saul's family after he had been removed from the throne, which happened at his death. The man that put Saul out of his misery, as he lay dying was put to death by David, and now these two, for taking the life of Saul's grandson, was put to death.
Since Ish-Bosheth was occupying the throne over all Israel - which was now rightfully David's, apparently Rekab and Baanah thought David would be pleased with their killing of Ish-Bosheth. Unfortunately for them, they found otherwise.
How could Rekab and Baanah have been so mistaken? How could they have possibly thought they might endear themselves to David in carrying out such a deed? Perhaps they were looking for some kind of placement in David's reign over Israel, or some other form of good will from David- expressed in a reward or???
One thing is certain. They could not have been more self-deceived. It seems to me we all have the potential to deceive our own selves, and even when doing so leads to something painful we do not see headed our way.
I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I suspect Rekab and Baanah failed to trust in the Lord and leaned on their own understanding that lead to their undoing.
"They [Rekab and Baanah] had gone into the house while he [Ish-Bosheth, Saul's grandson] was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.'
David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, "Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!'"
Thus came the end of Rekab and Baanah. David had given his promise to Saul that he would honor Saul's family after he had been removed from the throne, which happened at his death. The man that put Saul out of his misery, as he lay dying was put to death by David, and now these two, for taking the life of Saul's grandson, was put to death.
Since Ish-Bosheth was occupying the throne over all Israel - which was now rightfully David's, apparently Rekab and Baanah thought David would be pleased with their killing of Ish-Bosheth. Unfortunately for them, they found otherwise.
How could Rekab and Baanah have been so mistaken? How could they have possibly thought they might endear themselves to David in carrying out such a deed? Perhaps they were looking for some kind of placement in David's reign over Israel, or some other form of good will from David- expressed in a reward or???
One thing is certain. They could not have been more self-deceived. It seems to me we all have the potential to deceive our own selves, and even when doing so leads to something painful we do not see headed our way.
I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I suspect Rekab and Baanah failed to trust in the Lord and leaned on their own understanding that lead to their undoing.
Quite the cautionary tale here.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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