We might have expected, after the death of Saul, that all the tribes of Israel would automatically come over to David. But this discounts the fact that two decades under Saul had created a momentum in a certain direction that would not cease with his death. Once the seed of division is sown, and especially after it is allowed to grow, it becomes like a weed that is very difficult to remove. This situation here in 2 Samuel 3 is like that of the parable that Jesus told of the weeds and the wheat. When God planted good seed in his field, the enemy came and planted weeds in the same soil to frustrate the plans of God (Matthew 13:24-30). It is the same conflict predicted in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” David is God’s chosen one, a precursor to Jesus himself, and here we see the efforts to thwart David’s accession. These are not just political battles; they are spiritual battles. The weeds always grow up to overshadow the wheat. Whenever you see the fruition of God’s purpose you should also expect weeds to appear in opposition. But, as Jesus taught, don’t try to uproot the weeds. Joab in this story is trying to uproot weeds, as do the sons of Rimmon in the next chapter when they kill David’s rival Ish-Bosheth. Focus on your own fruitfulness, not the opposition. God will deal with the weeds. You focus on the health of the wheat.
Ask God to give you strength today to stand firm in faith.
Read 2 Samuel 3.
