The second mile

David had refused over and over again to lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. David recognized that God was in total control and would take care of Saul. He chose to take the high road and not inflict any harm on the Lord’s anointed. Now with Saul and his sons dead, the people of Judah begin to see the anointing God had already put onto His servant David years before. 

In 2 Samuel 2:1-32 there is a very obscure story that will have significant consequences for the nation of Israel. The seeds for Israel’s civil war and division were being sown. What would someday turn out to divide the nation into two states had its beginning in the mind of Saul. God’s anointing and blessing had been placed on David to be king over a united kingdom of Israel. Now, behind the scenes a spiritual battle was raging that would one day send the nation into some very dark days of bondage. 

As David declares his intentions to rule over the nation, Abner made Saul’s son Ishbosheth king over the Israelites living in the north.  Now the division between the houses of David and Saul are widening. Envy will lead to hatred, and hatred will eventually lead them to war with each other. In 2 Samuel 2:12 the stage is set for the first battle between the newly divided factions. 

Twelve young men from the tribe of Benjamin who represented Saul’s side faced off against twelve young men from the followers of David. Brother against brother sat poised to battle to the death at the pool of Gibeon.  We find in 2 Samuel 2:17 that after these twenty-four men kill themselves a fierce battle ensued between Ishbosheth’s and David’s men. In the end it was David’s men who came out on top. At the end of the day, three hundred and sixty of Ishbosheth’s men died to only twenty of David’s men.

Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth’s men, flees the battle.  Asahel, one of David’s men, chases after him with the hopes of striking him down. Eventually, the two men face off as Abner ends up killing Joab’s brother Asahel. The two groups line up for battle but cooler heads prevailed that day as a bloodbath is averted.

We can glean so much from reading our bibles. We have the privilege of having the story to read in its entirety right in our hands. We can learn from the mistakes of others and take the high road to freedom avoiding the pitfalls our flesh can lure us into. As we continue to study 2 Samuel we will see where all this strife, hatred and killing will lead.

Jesus once stood on a rolling hill above the Sea of Galilee and spoke to His disciples as well as a large multitude that were following Him. There He told everyone how God expects us to treat one another.  The law had been a very important part of each Israelite’s life for over fourteen hundred years but now this carpenter from Nazareth was changing the way that they were to treat one another.

In Matthew 5:38 Jesus tells everyone that they had been living by ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. But now He tells them not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on the right cheek then turn the other towards them. If someone wants your tunic give them your cloak also. And finally if asked to go one mile then go an extra mile with them. 

As the wind was blowing through his hair, Jesus faces the crowd gathered on that hillside and tells them “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

Just as in David’s case, if we obey God’s commands and follow Him then He will lead to safety. His rod and staff will comfort us and we will dwell with Him forever. David had refused to take out vengeance on Saul for himself but instead let God be the One to bring utter and complete destruction on his family.

All too often we want to be like Asahel and chase after our enemies causing them as much pain as we can heap upon them. But from our study of David we learn that it is far better to let God handle our enemies. After all He has more assets and infinite wisdom to get the job done. So make peace with your family, friends and everyone who spitefully uses you!