David's Battles
David was called a “mighty man of valor, a man of war” and even though he may have been small when fighting Goliath, this young shepherd boy killed bears and lions then fought giants, escaped jealous kings and led Israel to victory against impressive armies throughout his life. These were not the only battles David would fight, in fact as he got older, David became his own worst enemy, and his battles were fought not on a battlefield but right within the context of his household and his heart.
David’s Battle with HIS FAMILY (2 Samuel 18:33-19:4)
David’s battle with his family began shortly after his affair with Bathsheba. David’s son Amnon was infatuated with his half-sister Tamar…through an evil plot based on lust, Amnon lures Tamar into his room alone and rapes her. David does nothing about the incident, possibly because of his own sin feeling inadequate to judge, or that no one believed Tamar.
Either way, Absalom, Tamar’s brother became furious with his father David for not doing anything. So, he ends up killing Amnon and then goes on the run for 3 years for fear of his father, yet his father David longed to see him.
When he returned, he manipulated his father’s throne, forcing David into exile, but then through an unfortunate turn of events, Absalom accidentally hangs himself while riding a horse in battle, then Joab and other soldiers pierce Absalom’s heart, killing him there. When David hears the news, he is torn apart on the inside and mourns his son’s death to the point of neglect to the nation…the nation’s victory was turned into mourning because of the King’s sorrow over his family.
David fought well on the battle field, but was very in-effective at home. He didn’t know how to be a husband or a father. He could rule a nation, but couldn’t rule his own household. I can only think that David must have thought he failed as a parent, that he mourned the souls of his children, and this battle for his household was a war he could not win.
EVEN THOUGH HE FACED THIS BATTLE, DAVID COULD STILL TRUST GOD TO WIN THE WAR ON HIS FAMILY…
David states…
“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; — 2 Samuel 23:5
So David knew, even though he had failed as a parent and as a husband, God was still securing and arranging every detail of his family to establish God’s covenant through his bloodline.
David’s Battle with his INNER MAN (2 Samuel 24)
At the end of 2 Samuel, David takes a census of his fighting army. Joab his commanding officer agrees and complies to the request, but inquires of the king for what reason. Usually a census is taken to establish how powerful and advanced your army has become and to raise funds for national causes. David’s own inner conscience pricked him in his spirit. In verse 10, he states I have sinned greatly, and I beg you take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”
The next morning, God sends the prophet Gad to deliver David three options for the consequence of this sin. David again responds and says “I am in deep distress, Let us fall in the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great, but do not let me fall into human hands.”
So, the Lord sends a plague throughout the land and 70,000 people die. Then the Lord relented when the angel reached Jerusalem. David repents again and this time Gad instructs him to buy the threshing floor of a Jebusite and build an altar there. So David buys the property, builds the altar and burns the offerings and the famine stops.
Another grave mistake showing the destruction of pride and arrogance in a leader. David remained repentant and humbled himself before the Lord and the famine stopped but a lot of people died.
WHAT DOES DAVID'S BATTLES TEACH US ABOUT GOD?
David’s battles teach us the PROVIDENCE OF GOD. God sovereignly rules and reigns over all the good, bad and ugly portions of our lives. He is weaving a story of redemption, restoration and promise with every detail.
David’s battles teach us the MERCY OF GOD. God responds to a humble confessing heart, repentant to the One who alone can forgive and restore sin and failure.
David’s battles teach us the POWER OF GOD. God gave David great victories, and when we walk in the anointing of God, there is nothing too difficult for Him.
David’s battles teach us the JUSTICE OF GOD. God is not passive when it comes to our enemies. He longs for justice and protects the upright. Justice is for the oppressed, the victimized, the ones on the run. God becomes a refuge, a stronghold, a Savior from the violent schemes of evil and injustice that work in our lives.
David’s battles teach us the HOLINESS OF GOD. David knew that God’s presence had to be at the front center of all the nation’s livelihood. Even for himself, it was the psalms of praise and the songs of a shepherd boy that carried him through the chases of Saul, the giants of the Philistines, the troubles with his family, all the national crisis, and the many different battlefields. David knew his only hope to endure these battles was to keep God’s presence at the center of his life.
So, today I encourage you to look back at the mercy of God following you and look ahead to see the Providence and Power of God paving a way for you to see His glorious plan unfold in your life just as with David. But don’t forget to keep the presence of Jesus surrounding you in every battle you face. Keep fighting the good fight of faith, for we do not fight for victory but from victory!