2 Samuel 9:7

2 Samuel 9:7 says, And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.  David assured Mephibosheth that he was not going to harm him, but that he was going to restore all the land that belonged to Saul to him, who was his grandfather though he was referred to as simply his father here.  This was to be done for Jonathan's sake.  He was also told that he would eat at David’s table continually.  We need to do all that we can to help the children of our friends if they are in need if our friends die, especially our Christian friends, and as children of God, and never grandchildren, we will eat at His table forever spiritually.  Verse eight adds, And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?  Mephibosheth asked David who he was that David should show him this kindness, referring to himself as a dog. Though he was ths son of a prince and the grandson of a king, Mephibosheth didn't see himself as being worthy of the honor David was bestowing on him.   As followers of Christ, we are children, but never grandchildren, of God, the only real King, and we will never be worthy of that honor.   Verse nine continues, Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all is house.  Next, David called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him that he had restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth.  Verse ten adds, Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  David told Ziba that he and his sons would till the land for Mephibosheth so that he would have food to eat, even though the Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table.  Even though God meets all our needs spiritually once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, He still expects us to be at work for Him.  I believe he also expects us to provide help to the less fortunate, especially our fellow Christians.  Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, though he himself was a servant of Saul.  Verse eleven states, Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.  Ziba said that he would do as his lord the king commanded, just as we must do as God our Lord and king commands.  It was again stated that Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table as one of David's sons.  As followers of Christ, we may come from different statuses in life, but we are all God's children at His table.  Verse twelve adds,  And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth had a young son and Ziba and everyone who dwelt at his house were servants to Mephibosheth.  Verse thirteen adds, So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.  Though Saul’s land had been restored to him, Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem and ate at the king’s table.  Though we are promised an everlasting home in heaven, in the meantime we must continue to do God's work here on earth, and we are especially to help the less fortunate I believe. 

2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1 says, And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  David sought out anyone that remained of the house of Saul so that he could show kindness to him for Jonathan's sake.  Though he might have been doing it for Jonathan and not Saul, he was still looking to help someone who could claim to be an heir to the throne.  Still, he was doing what he felt was the right thing to do, and so should we even if in the eyes of the world it is possibly dangerous.  Verse two adds, And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.  They called Ziba, one of Saul's servants to David, and David asked him if he had been Saul’s servant.  Since Saul had been attempting to kill David,  this could have put Ziba in a bad situation, but he answered honestly that he had been Saul’s servant.  Even if it might be dangerous to us, we as Christians should always answer honestly when questioned, especially if we are asked if we are a servant of God.  Verse three continues, And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  When David asked Ziba if any of Saul's house remained, he said Jonathan had one son who was lame.  His being Jonathan's son was likely especially good news to David, though his being unable to walk probably wasn't.   Sometimes, we have mixed blessings in life.  Verse four states, And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.  David asked Ziba where Jonathan's son was, and he told him.  He still could have been putting Jonathan's son in danger if David was lying about why he wanted to find him, but we have to assume that he trusted David.  Sometimes, we just have to assume that people, especially our fellow Christians, are telling us the truth and want what is best for others, even those who have been their enemies.  Verse five adds, Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  David sent for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.  David brought him to his house.  What we as Christians need to do is bring others, not to our house, but to God's house.  There, we should all be equals.  Verse six continues, Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  When Mephibosheth came to David, he fell on his face before him, whether out or respect or fear.  David called him by name and Mephibosheth said he was David’s servant.   He wasn't there to attemptto claim the throne or believingthat he was superior to David because of who his father and grandfather were..  We as Christians are called on not to be lords of others but to be a servant to them.

2 Samuel 8:9

 2 Samuel 8:9 says, When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,  Verse ten adds, Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:  After Toi, king if Hamath, heard about David defeating all the army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to David with gifts of vessels of silver, gold and brass,  This was in part because Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.  Since God through Jesus's sacrifice of Himself on the cross for our sins has defeated all our enemies as long as we accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord and live by faith in Him, we should give to God all that we have.  Verse eleven continues, Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;  David dedicated all these gifts to God, since God was really the One responsible for David’s victory.  I believe that since God is responsible for all our victories as Christians that we should dedicate everything that we have to Him.  Verse twelve concludes,  Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.  David had always dedicated the spoils gained by victory over his enemies to God, and so must we.  I don't believe that there should ever come a time when we think that what God blesses us with is ours to do with as we please.  Everything that we are and have should be dedicated to God.  Verse thirteen states, And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.  David became famous we would say for defeating the Syrians, who had numbered about eighteen thousand men.  We may never become famous for defeating our spiritual enemies today, but we shouldn't be doing it for our glory anyway.  We should always give God the glory for any success we have if we are living by faith in Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.  David established garrisons throughout Edom, and the people of Edom became his servants.  When we defeat sin in our life today, we should establish strongholds through the power of the Holy Spirit to make sure that it never again has any power over us.  Verse fifteen continues, And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.  David now ruled over all of Israel, and he executed judgment and justice over the people of Israel under God's guidance.  We need to pray that the rulers over us today execute judgment and justice over us by God's guidance, even if we don't see it happening.  Verse sixteen says, And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;  We are told that Joab was over the host, or army, and that Jehoshaphat was the recorder.  David organized his people to help the kingdom run smoothly, and we should be organized as God's people today so that we all work together to accomplish God's work.  Verse seventeen adds, And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;  Next, we are told who the priests and scribe were.  We may not have much control over the civil authorities today, but we certainly should appoint leaders of the church under God's guidance.  Verse eighteen continues, And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.  Matthew Henry says these were either what he called city train-bands, who were the archers and those who used slings, or they were lifeguards, a standing force to protect David himself.  Though we are told Benaiah was appointed as their leader, we are also told that David’s sons were the chief rulers of them.  Matthew Henry says this kept David’s sons close to him so he could keep an eye on them.  As Christians, we should always be close to God as He keeps His eye on us.

2 Samuel 8:1

2 Samuel 8'1 says, And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.  David began to subdue the enemies of Israel, starting with the Philistines.  He began to take back the land of Israel and some of their enemies land.  If we have surrendered something that God has given us spiritually to the enemy today, if we agree put our faith in Him, He will restore it, as it was really God through David’s faith in Him that was giving David victory.  Verse two adds, And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.  Next, David  defeated the Moabites killing half of them.  He then drew a line down the middle of them and killed those on one side of the line and kept those on the other side as his servants.  Matthew Henry says that two*thirds were destroyed and one third was kept alive but that it was a full measure of mercy.  We must never be short in extending God's mercy to those we meet, even our enemies.  Verse three continues, David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.  David next defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah as he continued to reclaim the land of Israel.  As followers of Christ we may not always recover things taken from us in this lifetime, but our everlasting victory is assured.  Verse four concludes, And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.  Hadadezer  had been well armed, with a thousand chariots and at least seven hundred horsemen, though chapter eighteen, verse four puts the total number at seven thousand and twenty thousand foot soldiers, which David took.  He made the horses lame and the destroyed all but a hundred of the chariots.  Matthew Henry says David destroyed most of the chariots because his faith was in God and not the things of this world. Though Christians may be outnumbered and even outgunned, the victory is already ours daily if we remain faithful to Jesus Christ.  Of course, our everlasting victory can never be taken away from us.  Verse five states, And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.  When the Syrians came to the aid of Hadadezer, David killed twenty-two thousand of them.  We should not be surprised when those who are enemies of God come to the aid of one another, but we must also never forget that the everlasting victory is ours through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse six adds, Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.  David put garrisons in Syria and the Syrians became his servants while also bringing him gifts.  David was successful because God preserved him wherever he went.  As Christians, God has already preserved us as His, so we simply need to live by faith in Him.  Verse seven continues, And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.  David took the shields of gold from the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.  Verse eight concludes, And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.  David also took a lot of brass from the cities of Hadadezer.  These were now his by right of the spoils of war.  Still, we are never to be at war with the world today as Christians for material gains.  We are to do everything for the glory of God and His eternal kingdom instead.

2 Samuel 7:18

2 Samuel 7:18 says, Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?   David went in and sat before God and questioned Him, as we may at times do as Christiaans.  Still, if we do have questions it is best to go to God for the answers.  David asked who was he and who was his house that God had brought him before Him.  Like David, we need to acknowledge that we have never done anything to deserve God's calling us into His family and making a way for it to be possible for us to get there.  Verse nineteen adds, And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD?  David then said that even beyond what God had done for him so far, He promised much more.  God has done much for us in this lifetime if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, but He promises so much more.  David also asked God if people usually dealt this way with each other  and the answer was no.  We are called to a higher standard in dealing with people as Christians than the way people of the world normally deal with each other.  Verse twenty continues, And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.  David asked God what more he could say to Him, because God knew His servant David.  There is still nothing that we can say to God to justify ourselves, because He already knows everything about us.  Verse twenty-one states, For thy word’s sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them.  David said that it was according to God's word and after God's heart that He had done these things for David.  Whatever we may be called to do as Christiaans, it will always be according to God's word and because of His love for us.  Verse twenty-two adds, Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.  David then proclaimed God to be the only God according to what they had heard Him say.  We must acknowledge this same fact today.  We must come to God by faith in His Word and not by our own ability to prove His existence, and we must acknowledge that He is the only God that exists.  Verse twenty-three continues, And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?   David then took the question from just himself to the nation of Israel,. What had they done to receive God's call to be His people and their deliverance from Egypt where they had been redeemed,  and the answer was nothing.  We could ask the same thing today as to what we have done to deserve God's deliverance into His family and out of our bandage to sin, and the answer is still nothing.  Verse twenty-four says, For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.  Just as David said God had called Israel to be His people forever through a covenant relationship with them, He calls us to be His people forever through establishing a covenant relationship by faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-five adds, And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. Though David had proposed building a house for God, he said let it be according to God's word.  If our plans do not align with God's plans, we need to submit to His will.  Verse twenty-six continues, And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.  David said that whatever the people of Israel and he himself did should magnify God, and so must all our actions as followers of Christ today.  David asked that God let his house be established forever and through Jesus Christ it was.   When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we establish an everlasting relationship with God.  Verse twenty-seven states, For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.  David said that because God had said He would build His house, David felt that he could come to God in prayer.  God has already built His house in heaven, and He calls us to come and share it, but it is all for His glory.  Verse twenty-eight adds, And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:  As God's word was true then, it is still true today.  Verse twenty-nine continues, Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. Just as David asked of God, if we today are Christians then our relationship with God is everlasting.

2 Samuel 7:5

2 Samuel 7:5 says, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Nathan was told by God to deliver a message to David.  The message was a question as to whether David would build God a house.  This was God's question delivered through His prophet.  If we decide to do something for God today, we should first make sure that it is something that He wants us to do, and by praying sincerely the Holy Spirit should give us the answer, but it is always good to have our fellow believers praying for us as well.  Verse six adds, Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.  God said that since He had delivered the people of Israel out of Egypt, He had never lived in a house, but had walked in a tent and a tabernacle, leading the people along the way.  He had been in the midst of the people and not confined to one place.  Though it is nice to have a good meeting place as Christians, I don't believe that we should ever see this as the only place where we will find God and can worship Him.  He expects us to be out among the people.  Of course, this doesn't mean we aren't to gather together, but that the emphasis shouldn't be on the building we gather in.  Verse seven continues, In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?  God told Nathan to ask David if in all the years when He had commanded the people of Israel to feed His people if He had ever asked them to build Him a house of cedar.  We do know that God's command to us today is to share the gospel and help the less fortunate, and I believe that we can sometimes put too much emphasis on church buildings.  Verse eight states, Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:  God told Nathan to remind David that he had been a shepherd when God called him to be king.  David had given nothing to God to deserve this honor, and we today can give nothing to God but our self, and then God will call us to our position of service in the church.  Verse nine adds,  And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.  God said that He had cut off all af David’s enemies and made his name great among people.  As Christians, whatever we accomplish should be done under the authority and by the power of God.  Verse ten continues,  Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,  God then said that He was going to plant the people of Israel in a place that He chose where the would be cutoff from all their enemies.  What we need to understand is that in this would that place will never exist and that we are just traveling through on our way to Heaven, where it does.  No matter how beautiful a church building may be, it will one day be left behind.  Verse eleven says, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.  God told David through Nathan that He had said he would make David, and his descendants, a house of God.  It was the people and not the building that was important, and it still is.  Verse twelve adds,And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  God said that after David was dead that He would establish His kingdom through David’s descendants.  We knew this culminated with Jesus Christ, Who is the only One Who is capable of establishing an everlasting place in God's kingdom for us.  The physical temple is long gone, but the spiritual one never will be.  Verse thirteen continues, He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.  God told David one of his descendants would build His house and establish His kingdom and that it would last forever.  Though Solomon would build a temple, it was Jesus Christ Who established God's everlasting kingdom.  The earthly Temple was never meant to last, and neither are church buildings today.  Verse fourteen states, I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:  This is referring to God chastising the earthly descendants of David if they sin against Him.  If God is not chastising us at times today, either we have reached a state of perfection or we are so far away from God that we do not recognize His chastisement.  Verse fifteen adds, But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.  God then said He would never depart from David’s descendants as He had from Saul because of Saul's disobedience.  If we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, God will never leave us.  Verse sixteen continues, And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.  This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ, One of David's descendants came to live, die and be resurrected to establish God's kingdom forever, and it still had nothing to do with a physical building.  Verse seventeen concludes. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Nathan delivered God's message to David.  God had said that David himself would not build the Temple, but that one of his descendants would.  Again, though Solomon built the earthly Temple, this was a reference to Jesus Christ Who would build the everlasting spiritual temple.  We are still to be more concerned with the spiritual kingdom than with the earthly temple.

2 Samuel 7:1

2 Samuel 7:1 says, And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;  At this point, God had given David rest from all his enemies and if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, He has already given us victory over all our enemies, so we should be at peace in the world.  Verse two adds, That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.  David spoke to Nathan the prophet about the fact that he was living in a hose made of cedar while the Ark of God was kept in a tent made of cloth.  We should be careful that we don't spend all that God blesses us with on our own comfort while ignoring the work of God.  Verse three continues, And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.  Nathan told David to go and do all that he felt led to do and that the LORD was with him.  Still, we aren't really told that he consulted God about this.  If feel that we should do something for God leads today, we simply need to do it, but we must first pray about it and make sure we are doing what God wants.  Verse four states, And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying,  Though as stated, we aren't told that  Nathan consulted God before, that night God's word came to him.  If we are open to his word,God will never leave us confused about what He would have us to do.  God had a long message for David, and he delivered it through the prophet Nathan so David there would be no confusion on David’s part.  God will never leave us confused about what He wants us to do if we are listening to Him prayfully.