2 Samuel 4

David killed people that others would have spared, and he spared people that others would have killed. He made decisions in a different way from those around him. Those who wanted to serve him needed to observe him and to imitate him.

This chapter describes the murder of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul. During the months of conflict between the descendants of Saul and Judah's new king, David, Ish-bosheth was receding in importance and his general, Abner, was increasing. Eventually Abner decided to bring Israel over to David. He was not able to fulfill this mission, since Joab deceived Abner and murdered him.

These events left Ish-bosheth with a decision. Would he try to take up the fight again against David, this time without Abner, or would he admit that the war was over? Whatever courage Ish-bosheth had was now long gone, and all Israel knew that this man could not be an effective leader.

Nonetheless, those who understood David well would have known that a man like Ish-bosheth should not be murdered through some deceptive plot. If the two men who deceived Ish-bosheth and then stabbed him in the stomach expected to receive commendation from David for their actions they were sadly mistaken.

Their way of life did not show any trust in the Lord. This was not a any courageous vindication of God's Name or the fruit of careful attention to His Word. They acted as men of the world who pursue their own interests in a way that seems most expedient to them. Their plot was not in accord with the mind of the Messiah King at work in His servant David. It was just the way of the world.

David knew well that the Lord had redeemed his life out of every adversity. His trust was in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That trust had a very commendable force upon his thinking and his behavior.

By contrast, the murderous action of these former servants of Saul's son was both brutal and despicable. They did not have a Word from the Lord commanding them to behead Ish-bosheth in his sleep and then to deliver that head to David as a prize. This sort of plan is only pleasing to those who like a good story of treachery. It was not the way of the Lord.

Even though Ish-bosheth had set himself up as an enemy of David, the king of Judah could not rejoice in this murder of Saul's son. No words of flattery or talk of God's purposes could make this brutal action righteous. David ordered the execution of these men and buried the remains of Ish-bosheth with appropriate respect.

We follow a more righteous King than David. The Son of God did what His Father showed Him to do. He followed His Father's Word without sin. He calls us to spend time with Him and to take in His Word so that we will have a heart of obedience to both the Father and the Son.

The world will always say, “May it never be,” when the cross is presented as the wisdom and power of God. We have spent time with the Son of David. We know that His way is the only way for us. He has called us to be true followers of God.