Doing Things God's Way

David’s place in Scripture matters because his line leads to Jesus, the Son of David. David’s life also shows why God could entrust him with that place. David was not a man who assumed that being anointed meant he could now do whatever he wanted. David had been told that he would be king, Saul was dead, the nation was falling apart, and yet his first move was simple: “David inquired of the Lord.”

The text in 2 Samuel 2 puts that right out front. David asks if he should go to Judah, and then he asks where in Judah he should go. God sends him to Hebron, and Hebron turns out to be exactly where David needs to be. Hebron is a city of refuge, a place of priestly connection, and a place where David has favor through his marriage into Caleb’s line. God does not just tell David to move. God puts David in the right spot.

David’s obedience matters just as much as his inquiry. David does not hear “go up” and then sit around waddling home like Kierkegaard’s tame geese. The geese hear all about their wings and their high calling, bow their heads respectfully, and then never fly. David hears God’s direction and acts on it. Saul had asked God questions while already planning to do what he wanted. David asks because he intends to follow.

David’s kingship also comes with a very different kind of strength. David blesses the men of Jabesh Gilead, even though they had been loyal to Saul. David respects their loyalty because they risked their lives to honor the king who had once saved them. David does not walk in demanding that everybody recognize him as the anointed one. David finds common ground, honors what is good, and offers steadfast love rather than retaliation.

The contrast between David and the house of Saul becomes clear in the civil war. Abner puts Ish-bosheth on the throne through a power play, while David waits on God. Joab murders Abner for David, and later men murder Ish-bosheth and bring David his head, expecting a reward. David rejects every shortcut. David refuses to build God’s kingdom through treachery, murder, lies, or cutting corners. God had redeemed David out of every adversity, and David trusts God to do it again.

God’s way is not always easy, but God’s way is the place of security and peace. David’s example calls God’s people to inquire of the Lord, trust His Word, refuse sinful shortcuts, and follow through when God says, “Go up.”

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Inquire before making the move [06:15] David had a clear calling to be king, but even a clear calling did not remove the need to ask God for direction. God’s will is not a permission slip for self-rule. God calls His people to keep bringing the next step before Him, trusting that His view of the future is better than their own logic. [06:15]
• 2. God has a Hebron prepared [12:21] Hebron was not a random location on a map. God placed David in a city of refuge, among priestly connections, and in a place where he could be received. God may lead His people into places they never would have picked, only to show that His placement was wiser and safer than their own plans. [12:21]
• 3. Do not waddle when God says go [17:04] The tame geese had wings but never used them. Spiritual agreement without obedience can make people feel full while leaving them unable to live out what God has given them. David’s faith had feet because he acted when God spoke. [17:04]
• 4. Honor loyalty, even among opponents [21:32] David saw the men of Jabesh Gilead as people who had shown real loyalty, not merely as supporters of Saul. Godly leadership does not flatten every disagreement into hostility. David’s respect for their costly devotion revealed a heart that could recognize good even in people who might have stood against him. [21:32]
• 5. Refuse shortcuts to God’s promises [30:32] David would not let murderers secure his throne for him. God’s promises never require sin to make them happen, and God’s servants cannot excuse evil because it seems useful to the cause. David trusted the Lord to redeem him instead of allowing treachery to do the work.
  
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Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Why David Matters
• [01:34] - Doing Things God’s Way
• [02:11] - David and Goliath’s True Lesson
• [03:22] - Israel Falls Apart After Saul
• [05:23] - David Inquires of the Lord
• [07:14] - Seeking God Instead of Shortcuts
• [10:47] - God Sends David to Hebron
• [13:49] - Obedience When God Says Go
• [15:18] - The Story of the Tame Geese
• [18:26] - David Anointed King of Judah
• [19:43] - David Honors Jabesh Gilead
• [25:23] - A Civil War and Two Kings
• [27:13] - David Grows Stronger
• [29:36] - David Rejects Treachery and Murder
• [32:13] - Trusting God’s Way

Bible Reading

2 Samuel 2:1-4
“After this David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ And the LORD said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ And he said, ‘To Hebron.’ So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.” [05:23] [05:33] [10:47] [18:26]

2 Samuel 2:4-7
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. When they told David, ‘It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,’ David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, ‘May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing.’” [19:10] [19:43] [21:32]

2 Samuel 4:9-12
“But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, ‘As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, when one told me, “Behold, Saul is dead,” and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?’” [30:30] [30:32]

Observation questions

1. What two questions does David ask the LORD before moving back into Judah, and what specific place does God name? [10:47]
2. After David receives God’s direction, what actions show that he does not merely agree with God’s command but actually obeys it?
3. What does David say about the men of Jabesh-gilead, and what does he promise to do for them even though they had honored Saul? [21:32]
4. In 2 Samuel 4, what kind of “help” do Rechab and Baanah expect David to reward, and how does David respond to their actions? [30:23]

Interpretation questions

1. David had already been anointed to become king, yet he still asked the LORD whether and where to go. What does this show about the difference between knowing God’s larger calling and seeking His direction for the next step? [06:15]
2. Hebron was a place of refuge, priestly connection, and favor for David. How does God’s choice of Hebron show that His guidance can be wiser than what appears most obvious or comfortable? [11:10]
3. David honors the loyalty of the men of Jabesh-gilead instead of treating everyone connected to Saul as an enemy. What does this reveal about godly strength and leadership when dealing with people on the other side of a disagreement? [22:25]
4. David refuses to let murder and treachery secure his throne. Why is it important that God’s promises are never an excuse for sinful methods? [31:15]

Application questions

1. Is there a decision in front of you—a relationship, job, move, ministry opportunity, conflict, or family matter—where you have been relying mostly on your own logic? What would it look like to truly inquire of the Lord before making the move? [07:14]
2. God may lead His people to a “Hebron,” a place they would not have chosen but where He has prepared safety, help, and purpose. Is there an unexpected place or season in your life where you may need to trust God’s placement more fully? [12:47]
3. It is possible to hear God’s Word, agree with it, and still “waddle home” without obeying. What is one clear area where you know God has called you to act, forgive, serve, change, or speak—and what practical step could you take this week? [17:28]
4. David recognized and honored costly loyalty in people who had been connected to Saul. Is there someone you tend to view mainly as an opponent, competitor, or difficult person? What good, faithfulness, or courage might you be able to recognize in that person?
5. Shortcuts can look tempting when the goal seems good. Where might you be tempted to bend the truth, pressure someone, hold bitterness, ignore God’s Word, or take an easier path in order to get the result you want? [31:33]
6. David trusted that the LORD had redeemed him from every adversity and would continue to care for him. What current pressure makes you feel as if you need to take matters into your own hands? How can remembering God’s past faithfulness help you wait and obey now? [30:30]