Taking The Next Step

David was from the tribe of Judah, and for years, he had hid out in the back country.  After Saul’s death, David prayed, asking whether God wanted him to go back Judah at that particular time.  It is important to understand David knew he had been called to be the next king, but had been prevented from taking office for several years.  He was in effect asking what the next step should be, in II Samuel 2:1-4a.  “And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?

And the LORD said unto him, Go up.

And David said, Whither shall I go up? nd he said, Unto Hebron.  So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.  And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.  And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.” 

The tribe of Judah elected David as their new king.  David held no grudges against Saul or his family, mourning their deaths.  When he learned that the men of Jabeshgilead been upset that the Philistines desecrated Saul’s body and had recovered it, he expressed his appreciation and encouraged them, in II Samuel 2:4b-7.  “And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have showed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.  And now the LORD show kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.  Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”

Though they knew David had been chosen to be the next king, there were those who clung to the heir of the previous administration, insisting David was no their king.   They were led by a powerful member of the previous administration, Saul’s Secretary of Defense, Abner, as II Samuel 2:8-10 describes.  “But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.  Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.”

For the first two years, very little happened, with David king over Judah, and Ishbosheth king over the rest of Israel.  It would be another seven and a half years before David was able be king of the entire nation of Israel, according to II Samuel 2:11.  “And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.”

God gives each person the ability and freedom to make their own decisions, and some of them will not choose to follow God’s plan.  The fact that they have a different idea does not necessarily mean this is not God’s plan.  In fact, there were more supporting Ishbosheth than supported David, even though God had chosen David.  Instead of basing our idea of what God wants on other people’s choices, we need to learn to let the Holy Spirit guide us.  Even when we are following God’s agenda, it may take time everything to fall into place and for people to get on board.  We need to learn to take things a step at a time, as God enables us.