04.29.2015 Old Testament: 2Sa 21.15–17

To read the Bible in a year, read Second Samuel 21–22 on April 29, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

David won every battle he fought, and he probably thought he could always do that, but age started to settle in, and he simply could not do what he had done as a younger man,

When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. Then Ishbi-benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David.  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” (2 Samuel 21.15–17). 

David had already established himself as a warrior and a leader. Therefore, if he had lost in battle and died, its affect upon Israel would have been far reaching. His men wisely told him that he was not to fight anymore. He does not seem to have disagreed. He knew that he needed to make a change, because he almost lost his life. You should change when your defeat could hurt those around you.