2 Samuel 2:1-3:5, 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 3:1-4a, 11:10-47

The tribe of Judah crowns David as their king and David moves to Hebron.  Upon hearing of Saul’s burial David sends a message to the rest of Israel requesting that they accept him as their king.  However, the commander of Saul’s army, Abner, has already gone to Saul’s son and proclaimed him king.  This leads to conflict between the men of David and the men of Saul.  Eventually Israel and Judah descend into full scale war, which lasts for many years.  Over time, Saul’s dynasty begins to erode and David becomes more powerful.

This passage can serve as a powerful warning to the leaders of our churches.  If we are not listening to God and following his leading it affects many other people and it affects the future of the church after we have gone.  Saul’s failure to listen to God led to the division of the Israelites; it pitted those who supported David against those who supported Saul’s dynasty.

I have witnessed many church splits both up close and at a distance.  What usually happens is a central person or issue comes to the forefront.  The different cliques within the church gather their forces in either support or opposition to this person or issue.  Rather than seeking out God’s will and leading the two sides war against one another to defend their position.

There is a profound lack of humility within the churches of America.  we are not willing to accept that our opinion is not necessarily the will of God; rather we defend our point of view even if it means the destruction of our relationships, families, and churches.  We must listen to and embrace one another, especially when we disagree.  We may not always understand God’s will, but we still need to obey it.