ripple effect: vacaville

Read 2 Samuel 9:1-13.

[Stuff we're skipping:

* David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem and had more sons and daughters: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.

* David defeats the Philistines twice.

* David also brought the ark to Jerusalem from Abinadab's house. Ahibadab's sons, Uzzah and Ahio guided the ark on a cart, while David and all of Israel sang and played instruments alongside. The oxen dragging the ark stumbled, and Uzzah reached out to steady the ark...and God killed Uzzah right there for an irreverant act. Then David got mad and scared at God, so he placed the ark in the house of a guy named Obed-Edom. Since the ark's presence blessed his household, David brought the ark to Jerusalem. This time they carried it properly (on poles...not a cart) and offered sacrifices every six steps. David even wore a linen ephod, which is a priestly garment. Meanwhile, David's wife, Michal was looking out the window and thought that it was "below" a king to be dancing like a common priest. David offered sacrifices and gave free food to the people. When David got home, Michal gave him a hard time; and David said that he would "become even more undignified than this" in front of God. Right after that it says that Michal had no kids till she died. Was it because God struck her barren or David wouldn't sleep with her?

* David wants to build a temple for God, but Nathan (his prophet) is told by God that it will not be David's task to build the temple--it will be his son's. God also promises David that He will never take his love away from David's household, and He will be with his descendents. David offers up a prayer of thanks to God.

* David goes on to defeat the Philistines, the Moabites, the Zobahites, the Edomites, and the Arameans. He also got a ton of booty (treasures) and tributes from kings who were afraid of him. He dedicated all his winnings to the Lord.

* We also get a look at David's officials: Joab (commander), Jehoshaphat (recorder), Zadok and Ahimelech (priests), Seraiah (secretary), Benaiah (supervisor), and his sons were royal advisors. David was getting organized!]

1. After all David has been through with Saul, trying to avoid death and live up to his anointing, he still remembers the promise he made to be kind to Jonathan’s family. What kind of man does that make David?
2. It’s sad that almost all of Saul’s family is dead. Then again, wasn’t that the consequence of all the wrong things Saul did in his life?
3. OK, so Ziba says there is one family member left– Mephibosheth, the cripple. Can you imagine how scared Mephibosheth would be to meet with David? Tradition would be to kill all the heirs of your enemy.
4. The mighty king David bows to Jonathan’s crippled son. Not only that, he gives him his inheritance. All the land of his dad and the priviledge to have a place at the king’s table.
5. Mephibosheth receives “God’s kindness” through David. And I love his response. Because the truth is that my response is the same when I stand before a holy God–”What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
6. David then has Ziba’s family work for Mephibosheth so that he doesn’t just exist, but he actually has a life. So, he lived as a son of David. How cool is that?