September 6, 2020
What does it say?
David won the hearts of the people of Judah and returned to Jerusalem. However, the kingdom still struggled with a lack of unity.
What does it mean?
The controversy created by David and Absalom had caused great division in the kingdom. Even though David was returning to Jerusalem as king, the people throughout Israel argued about the kingship among themselves. David worked to restore relationships with individual people to promote healing and unity. But the men of Judah and Israel increased tension between the tribes by arguing about who had a greater claim to David as king. If they truly wanted to serve their king, both sides should have followed his example to seek peace for the nation rather than focus on tribal rights
How should I respond?
Staying calm can be challenging when tensions are high. You might be tempted to choose sides and influence others to agree with you. In those situations, are you someone who causes division or one who helps build unity? Working toward a solution that serves God’s purposes will minimize stress and restore peace. What tense situation are you facing in your family or place of work? Regardless of how others respond, decide to follow David’s example: stay focused on relationships with people and God’s plan. Today, will you determine to cultivate unity rather than division?