Scripture Union Daily Guide 13th June 2020 – Perverted Way of Seeking Favour
TODAY’S TOPIC: PERVERTED WAY OF SEEKING FAVOUR
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, expose me to your truth as I read your word in Jesus name.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1–12, KJV
And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled.
2 And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands: the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin: (for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin.
3 And the Beerothites fled to Gittaim, and were sojourners there until this day.)
4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
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Scripture Union Daily Guide 13th June 2020
6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped.
7 For when they came into the house, he lay on his bed in his bedchamber, and they smote him, and slew him, and beheaded him, and took his head, and gat them away through the plain all night.
8 And they brought the head of Ishbosheth unto David to Hebron, and said to the king, Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed.
9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,
10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Reflection
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
Today’s Outline: Scripture Union Daily Guide 13th June 2020
The declining influence of Saul’s dynasty (2 Samuel 3:1) is further amplified in today’s passage. What was the effect of Abner’s death on both Ish–Bosheth and all Israel, and why (v.1)? It seems that both Ish–Bosheth and the house of Saul have been leaning too heavily on Abner for the perpetuation of Saul’s dynasty and the kingdom. It is dangerous to put our trust in any man Instead of God for the actualisation of our hopes and aspirations. The arm of flesh will always fail us (see Jeremiah 17:5).
Lacking proper royal security apparatus, Ish–Bosheth was easily murdered by those who should have been part of the royal guard (vv.5–7). What was the motivation for the murderous acts of Rechab and Baanah (vv.8)?
What can we learn from David’s response to their acts in vv.9–12? David clearly understood that his deliverance and safety is of God, and therefore required no ungodly acts of men to achieve his God–ordained destiny. He had many opportunities in the past to take a short route by killing Saul, but he refused.
Leaders need to be wary of characters like Rechab and Baanah and safeguard their administrations from the activities and influences of such people.
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• So what? Never gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune (Obadiah 12–14, ESV).
Prayer
• Lord, search my heart today, and see if there is any wicked and perverted way in me; and lead me in the way of life everlasting.
• Pray to God for wisdom to do your work with diligence and integrity.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 13:15
Read the Bible in one Year: Jer. 24–26; Matt. 25:1–30
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