David moves me with his hesitance to take control of things. I see it in the phrase so often used of him, "David inquired of the Lord." Even though David had been anointed king by Samuel, even though God had dealt with Saul, even though the opportunity seemed right with an opening for a king, "David inquired of the Lord." (2 Samuel 2:1) David knew that hearing God was more than just grabbing a word from him and doing whatever seemed right. He knew that the Lord not only has a truth to give, but also a way of seeing it carried out.
At the heart of the way of the Lord is communication and relationship. In David I see that God doesn't just want someone to follow orders nor someone afraid to do anything on his own (David did not alway inquire directly), but someone who would talk and share and obey him from his heart. This was conversation, which comes out so well in David's prayers:
O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.
You care for the land and water it
you enrich it adundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
(Psalm 65:2, 5, 9)
David's God hears. He answers. He cares and provides. Such is the One David asks. Do I inquire of this hearing, answering, caring God or just complain at him?
God Next Door
Such is the way of Jesus and his church. God moves into communities, workplaces, offices, and homes, so he can be next door to others. Jesus became the friend and neighbor of sinners before he became their savior. He does not push, he wants to invite.
David continues to show the God's kindness by starting his reign slowly, but also with blessing. He honors those people who have honored God by their care for Saul, the Lord's anointed. "The Lord bless you," says David. (2 Samuel 2:5) He follows the Lord's kindness with his own, almost as an afterthought. He sees the kingdom as not belonging to Saul or himself, but to God. He understands that he is the Lord's servant, blessing as he blesses.
This seems to be God's way. The first thing he does to Adam is bless him (Genesis 1:28). Similarly, Jesus begins his ministry with blessing as well (Matthew 5:3-12). The Lord begins his reign with blessing, not threats or false promises. How very unlike this world. The quiet invitation goes out from David as well, but is supported by the truth, "the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." The Lord's blessing is inseparable from his rule. What do I think of a God that moves in next door to me and announces his blessing on me? How do I feel about that? Does it move me to ask of him or to discount him?
The Response of Threatened Desires
I suppose that such gentleness from the Lord as shown in David brings some people to think they can somehow avoid or take advantage of him. This is the way of the flesh and the way of the world. Rather than accept David's kingship, Abner gathers a rebellion. Perhaps he appealed to the lineage of Saul or the traditions of typical kingdoms that continue rule in this way. Perhaps he really believed that David would not be good to him. Probably at the heart of it, Abner wanted to maintain and increase his position of honor and power no matter what.
In defiance of God's gracious invitation shown by coming alongside and announcing his blessing, the flesh controlled by desire sees only a threat to its position. Above all else, it will not submit. When desire controls the flesh, it gathers its own resources to operate without God, which always ends up being against God. There is nowhere else to go. With God's invitation, there is always a challenge because he allows it. How eager am I to retain or bolster my life and position in this life? Does God's invitation to rule with blessing bring relief or resistance in me?
The Cost of Resistance
This challenge is the cost that God decided to bear. In order to let people do (and see) what they want he orchestrates such situations which will winnow the wheat from the chaff. The cost for David is a battle between brothers, a civil conflict within Israel. I imagine David may have been tempted to think it could have gone better if he has seized control outright and quelled any resistance. But this is not God's way. It was costly to David and his men to do it God's way, for the sake of God's goodness to everyone.
Although the cost is high, it is always much greater on the side of those who oppose God. In this case, it came out in terms of casualties: David's men lost 19, while Abner's men lost 360 (2 Samuel 2:30). Abner has to retreat an ask for mercy. He is beaten and decides not to fight anymore.
I am amazed at how God longs to move in next door to us in order to come alongside us. He announces blessing even as he announces his reign. He allows the flesh, the world, and Satan to have their way for a time, so that we can see that we are indeed getting what we want and choose. We see that his way is costly, but he is willing to pay the cost so that some might be saved. Christ shows me a God who wants me to seek him and ask of him and be with him.
