Thy Kingdom Come…Dynasty Sequel

One Year Bible (May 23)

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39

Dynasty Part 2: "Thy Kingdom Come"

Welcome to the new Reboot of the Dynasty nighttime soap opera series with all new actors, and actresses... Complete with Glitz, Glamour, and Gain… Power, Prestige, and Prominence.

It seems that people just can’t get enough of watching wealthy, powerful people living out their dysfunction in front of the whole world. Thus, the world is anxiously watching the new Dynasty sequel…” Second verse. Could get worse!” I have no doubt that it will, indeed, do just that!

Today we begin the “Reboot Sequel” for Saul’s Dynasty. It will come through his son, Ishbosheth, who is much like his father. He is forty years old when his people make him king over Mahanaim for two years. His plan is to “give David a run for his money” and to avenge his father, Saul’s death.

Have you ever seen the Allstate "Mayhem" commercial? It's a classic; this guy just brings "Mayhem" on everyone and they wreck their cars and get into all kinds of insurance problems. Anyway, I have a word picture for you. When I read this passage I think of Ishbosheth as "The King of Mayhem" because that is what he brings...

“That was the beginning of a long war between those who were loyal to Saul and those loyal to David. As time passed, David became STRONGER and STRONGER., while SAUL’S DYNASTY became WEAKER and WEAKER!” ( 2 Samuel 3:1)

There were battles and they were so fierce that they called them “The Field of Swords”. Abner, who had been Ishbosheth’s confident as he supported Saul turned against Ishbosheth. This silenced Ishbosheth because he had sinned and was afraid of what Abner might do. (3:11)

Abner becomes a “Turn-Coat” and makes a pact with David, but is killed in the process by Joab and his brother, Abishai. David mourns Abner’s death and says, “Don’t you realize that a great commander has fallen today in Israel?” (3:38)

Everything that David did pleased the people very much. His heart of kindness, forgiveness, and dedication to God was observed by all of Israel.

This mess of violence ends with David saying, “So, may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.” (3:39)

This entire story today reminds me of the world we are presently living in today.

The enemy, Satan, has been defeated on the cross.

Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

He is the rightful heir to the throne appointed and anointed by God.

Can we see how much fighting is still going on in the evil realm today to try and stop what the Lord has appointed to happen?

There are still casualties of war that are happening right now before our very eyes.

Like David, we cry out, “Why Jonathan, my beloved brother?” Why not Ishboheth (the 40-year-old reboot of his father Saul)?

The war for him was painful and the losses were great.

He continued to walk by faith when he could not see the promise being accomplished in a timely manner. How could any of this make sense?

With each twist in the road, and in spite of seeming defeats and setbacks, David pressed ahead.

He praised God for His unfailing love and he turned over to the hand of God those who harmed him and those he loved.

How do we live when life seems to be “out of control” and we can’t see God’s perfect plan coming true? What do we pray for?

I am amazed by David’s running conversations with God. They generally follow a path worthy of our consideration. “What do you want me to see? What do you want me to do? What outcome do you desire?

What I find missing in David’s conversations with God in these passages is a focus on himself.

In Jesus’ modeled prayer in Matthew 6:10, he instructs us to pray like this,

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

David was a man who was promised an earthly kingdom that seemed like it would never come. David knew a powerful truth, God’s Kingdom trumps all earthly kingdoms!

So, each day he sought out the will of his Father in Heaven and prayed…“Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done.”

How would our prayer lives change if we asked God each day what He wants in, through, and for our lives?