The Life of Davidنموونە

Day 17: 2 Sam. 2-3 x Haleigh Kellam, Marketing + Comms Project Manager at UPPERROOM

At this point in the storyline, David has just mourned the death of Saul, his enemy and previous leader of Israel, and is anointed King of Judah.

I want to highlight an observation we can make about the heart and leadership of David from today's reading. In the midst of a long war to seize Israel, David honors the life and leadership of Abner after Joab kills him. Remember that Abner was once the commander of Saul's army and was killed by one of David's men after he vowed to stand with David as king. Regardless of this man's history and allegiance, King David makes peace with him and later grieves his death. What a window into the heart of this "man after God's own heart"! In light of the complex challenges David faced relationally within his own army, he honors a man once his enemy.

Prayer: Father, teach me to see others as You see them. I open my heart to both my friends and my enemies and choose to be a peacemaker, honoring their lives and God-given potential, just as David did and, ultimately, just as Your Son, Jesus, did. Thank You for this representation of Your grace, peace, and goodness through the life of King David. Amen.