In 2 Samuel 5, we read of David being made king over all of Israel at the city of Hebron. It took David seven years to overtake Jerusalem and make it his home and the capital of Israel. We’re told David “ruled” over Israel for forty years. We also read of David defeating the Philistines, and the LORD defeating them a second time. The LORD was with David as we have already seen, and will continue to see as we move through 2 Samuel.
in 2 Samuel 6, David has the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem, but not without difficulty. Uzzah, one of the men who transported the Ark was killed when he reached out to steady it, because the ox had stumbled. While it seems Uzzah was only trying to help, he was not a priest. This both frightened and angered David, so he left the Ark where it was at the home of Obed-edom. During the three months it was there, the family of Obed-edom was blessed, so David decided again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time he offered a sacrifice to the LORD after every six steps. David danced before the LORD, and Michal, his wife, was offended by David’s display before the LORD. As a result, she never had children. Again, we see actions have consequences, and they were often more immediate than at times in our lives.
In 2 Samuel 7, David told Nathan the prophet he wanted to build a “house” for the LORD. Nathan told him to do what was in his heart, but then the LORD told Nathan David would not be the one to build the Temple, but David’s son. The LORD promised the leadership of Israel would never depart from one of his offspring. David’s response was gratitude and humility.
In 2 Samuel 8, we read of David’s conquests over the near neighbors of Israel. Often David gave the spoils of the victories to the LORD. While it’s fitting That David did so, we find David’s response was consistently right and good, unlike that of Saul who came before Him. Soon enough David will show his own weaknesses, but in the initial years of his reign, he followed the LORD faithfully.
As we return to Mark 9 once again, we’re reminded of the powerful moment when Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah in front of Peter, James, and John. The moment shows us all Jesus is who He says He is. It only confirms what Peter had proclaimed in Mark 8. When the foursome travelled down the mountain, they found the other nine disciples struggling unsuccessfully to remove a demon from a boy. Jesus shows an unusual lack of patience, or a bit of consternation at the situation. He heals the boy, but not before a brief confrontation with the boy’s father. When the man said, “If you can do something…” Jesus corrected the man, “If…All things are possible for those who believe. What a helpful reminder to us as well. Jesus’ power to save, heal, deliver people from demons, and whatever else needs to be done in our lives is more than sufficient. We must sometimes ask Jesus to help us in our unbelief, and He will. Our task is to open ourselves to Jesus in every situation, so He can work in and through us to will and to work for His good pleasure!