2 Samuel 2
Polarized is the order of the day. It doesn’t much matter where your look: the world, the country, the church — on every hand strident voices dominate. Extreme views prevail. Finger-pointing seems to have become the national pastime. In such an environment, foes multiply. And those who are foes attack and demonize each other, painting their opposition in the worst possible light.
And then we come to 2 Samuel 2. Can something written three thousand years ago speak into our current situation? Can a man who lived during that time speak a timely word of wisdom to us today?I think so …
First, two reminders. One, remember that King Saul, for an extended period of time, had been intent on doing away with David. David, Saul knew, was a threat to his kingly power, so he wanted him gone. Two, it was now Saul who was gone, dead and buried, killed in battle with the Philistines. And David has been elevated to the throne of Judah, with the rest of the tribes of Israel yet to come under his kingship. He is seeking to extend the reach of his throne to include the other tribes, when, in the midst of that process, he makes a discovery.
“When David was told that it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, he sent messengers to them to say to them, ‘The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this’”(2 Samuel 2:4b–6, TNIV).
As would have been common at the time, the bodies of fallen enemy leaders would have been desecrated, treated with the ultimate disrespect. The men of Jabesh Gilead, at cost to themselves, no doubt, had stepped up and given Saul’s body an honorable burial. And now David — the man Saul had been trying to kill — wants to show them favor for that act of respect toward his foe!
What if we moderns were to conduct ourselves in such a manner? What if, when given the opportunity, we were to honorpeople with whom we disagree? What if we were to treat them with respect, with dignity? What if, rather than striking back, we were to offer a hand of friendship?
In fact, what if we were to live out the similar but very pointed directives of the apostle Paul, another ancient biblical figure with timely wisdom? He wrote: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse … Do not repay anyone evil for evil … If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:14, 17, 18, 21, TNIV).
Can you imagine how such an approach would change our relationships with one another? Can you imagine how surprised our “foes” would be if we responded in this fashion? Can you imagine how the love of Jesus would work to unify those who are currently so divided?
It’s worth a try … Today … In your circle.
—Randy Roberts, DMin, is vice president for spiritual life and mission at Loma Linda University Health.
