April 4, 2022: Day 72 – II Samuel 1-5 and Psalm 13

King Saul has died but the path before David as king is not as easy as it would seem.  In fact, as you read through these first five chapters until David gets to Jerusalem it seems as if things are a bit out of control.  Saul’s son takes over and for a brief time there is a divided Israelite kingdom.  There is war between the houses of David and Saul.  Just when it seemed as if there would be peace and a unification of the houses with the general Abner who was going to bring Saul’s family over to David’s side, two of David’s soldiers kill him for vengeance over the death of their brother.

Soon after the son of Saul who was ruling the family is killed by a couple of rogue soldiers who thought David would be pleased.  He kills them just like he killed the messenger who told him about the death of Saul.  Finally David enters Jerusalem and it seems as if the infighting is over, the civil war aspect is finally now complete and they can go back to attacking the Philistines.  That seems normal enough.

Psalm 13 is another psalm of lament where you hear the author crying out to God.  Again, like in most Psalms of lament it ends with: I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.  That’s a good way to end a psalm of lament.