Will you call the God of angel armies into battle for you?
Abner’s death means he cannot safely deliver Israel to David. Two brothers who serve Ish-Bosheth, Recab and Baanah, see which way the wind is blowing and decide to be traitors to him. They murder Ish-Bosheth in his bed, cut off his head, and bring it to David, thinking they will receive a reward. Instead, as with Saul’s murderer, David has them put to death.
However, as a result of Ish-Bosheth’s death, the elders of Israel come to David, proclaim their loyalty, and anoint him king. This civil war is ended. David rules all Israel. He even conquers a Jebusite city, Jerusalem, and makes it his new capital, building himself a palace on Mount Zion. Because the Lord is with David, his family increases, his kingdom grows in power and prestige, and he again is victorious over the Philistines. The victory comes solely through the power of God, since David consults him and relies on the unseen army of the Lord to march through the tops of the trees to attack the Philistines.
Next Steps
What unseen armies are fighting for you? Have you ever called these troops into battle for you?
Prayer
God of heaven’s armies, may we trust you to fight our battles.
DR. GARY HOLLOWAY
Gary Holloway is Executive Director of the World Convention. Holding degrees from Freed-Hardeman, Harding, The University of Texas, and Emory University, he has written or edited thirty books, including (with Douglas Foster) Renewing God’s World: A Concise Global History of the Stone-Campbell Movement from ACU Press. He is married to Deb Rogers Holloway.
God of angel armies is always by my side. Thanks