Meditations

Open line radio on Februrary 11, 2023 hour 1

Listener:

Hi, I have a question, 2 Samuel 21:17 tells us how David’s men made a determination for David not to go to battle, how does this incident compare with the other incidents when David was resting at home, for example in the incident with Bathsheba? Were both incidents related to the idea of preserving the lamp of Israel? (Listener was ambiguous in his asking of the question, so the question is paraphrased partially)

Dr Michael Rydelnik:

Well, it seems like to me when you look at the story in 2 Samuel 11, obviously, David, it said in 2 Samuel 11, one of the spring when the kings march out to war, David send Joab with his officers and all Israel but David sat around. This is implying in that passage in 2 Samuel 11 that David was really much more vibrant and strong enough to go out to battle, he was taking a little bit of sabbatical or not being as active as he should have been. I think by the time we come to chapter 21, he’s learnt that lesson and he’s still going out to battle, he was getting old by the time we get to chapter 21 and so David’s men swore to him that you must never again go out with us for battle, you must not extinguish the lamp of Israel, in order words, his role in leading Israel was so necessary, they did not want him to see him die on the battle field, they say we will take care of this, I think that’s just a bit of recognition of his age. I think in chapter 22, one of his thanksgiving songs about how God proved himself faithful in all his battles, so he’s sort of looking back on his career as a warrior and chapter 23 has his last words. By the way, the same song of thanksgiving is in psalm 18. I know I am still vibrant and strong, I have 2 adult sons and whenever it snows in Chicago, they don’t say, “Dad, you just stay inside, we will come and snow blow and clear the walks and do all that for you.” So, apparently, they don’t think I am too old. I know I am old when they say to me, “You know what, you stay inside, we will clear the walk and the driveway”. That’s sort of what happened with David here. You stay home, we don’t want you to die in battle. You’re weakening, you’re getting older.

Scripture:

2 Samuel 21

¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” -kjv

¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” -nkjv

¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “You shall not go out again with us to battle, so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel. -nasb

 ¹⁷ But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished. -niv