2 Samuel 3:1-5: a reflection

1Now there was a long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker. 2Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; 4and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

As the struggle for the kingdom continues between the house of Saul and the house of David, the account marks the steady direction of things with a simple sentence: David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul's house grew weaker and weaker. God had chosen David; and though the transition was not sudden, though there was a long struggle, the outcome moved steadily and surely in the direction God had purposed. David's house grew stronger; the opposing house grew weaker; God's purpose advanced, not in a single dramatic moment, but steadily over time. This shows how God's purposes often advance: not always in sudden, decisive strokes, but steadily, surely, gradually, moving toward the end he has purposed. The struggle was long, but the direction was clear; God's chosen purpose grew stronger and stronger. God's purpose advances steadily and surely over time, even when it is not sudden. What God has purposed grows stronger; what opposes it grows weaker, over time.

Notice the steady direction the account marks: stronger and stronger for David, weaker and weaker for the opposing house. This was not a sudden victory but a gradual one, a steady movement over a long struggle toward the outcome God had purposed. God had chosen David; and though the transition took time and involved real conflict, the direction was clear and sure: David's house grew stronger, the opposing house weaker. This illustrates how God's purposes often work themselves out: not always in dramatic, decisive moments, but steadily, surely, over time, gradually prevailing. We can look for God's purposes to advance in sudden, unmistakable strokes, and grow discouraged when we see only slow, gradual movement; but God's purpose often grows stronger and stronger over time, surely if not suddenly. The long struggle did not mean God's purpose was failing; it was steadily advancing, David growing stronger and stronger. To trust that God's purpose advances steadily and surely, even gradually, is to be patient with the slow but certain working out of what he has purposed. God's cause grows stronger over time. The steady direction, not the sudden stroke, often marks God's advancing purpose.

That is worth resting in, for God's purpose advances steadily and surely over time, even when it is not sudden or dramatic. We can look for God's purposes to advance in sudden, decisive strokes, and grow discouraged when we see only slow, gradual movement; but the account marks how David grew stronger and stronger while the opposing house grew weaker, God's purpose advancing steadily over a long struggle. God's chosen purpose often grows stronger over time, surely if not suddenly. Slow movement does not mean God's purpose is failing. When God's purposes seem to advance only slowly, remember that his purpose can grow stronger and stronger over time, surely working toward the end he intends. Trust that God's purpose advances steadily and surely over time, even when it is gradual rather than sudden, as David grew stronger and stronger while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker, God's chosen purpose prevailing over a long struggle; for God's purposes often work themselves out not in dramatic, decisive moments but steadily and gradually, growing stronger over time, so that slow movement does not mean his purpose is failing but that it is advancing surely toward the end he has intended, and we can be patient with the slow but certain working out of what God has purposed.

Lord, as the struggle for the kingdom continues between the house of Saul and the house of David, the account marks the steady direction of things with a simple sentence: David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul's house grew weaker and weaker. You had chosen David; and though the transition was not sudden, though there was a long struggle, the outcome moved steadily and surely in the direction you had purposed. David's house grew stronger; the opposing house grew weaker; your purpose advanced, not in a single dramatic moment, but steadily over time. Show me the steady direction the account marks: stronger and stronger for David, weaker and weaker for the opposing house. This was not a sudden victory but a gradual one, a steady movement over a long struggle toward the outcome you had purposed. Though the transition took time and involved real conflict, the direction was clear and sure. This illustrates how your purposes often work themselves out: not always in dramatic, decisive moments, but steadily, surely, over time. I can look for your purposes to advance in sudden strokes, and grow discouraged when I see only slow movement; but your purpose often grows stronger and stronger over time. The long struggle did not mean your purpose was failing. Let me rest in that, for your purpose advances steadily and surely over time, even when it is not sudden or dramatic. I can look for your purposes to advance in sudden, decisive strokes, and grow discouraged at slow movement; but David grew stronger and stronger while the opposing house grew weaker, your purpose advancing steadily. Slow movement does not mean your purpose is failing. When your purposes seem to advance only slowly, help me remember that your purpose can grow stronger and stronger over time, Lord, surely working toward the end you intend, and be patient with the slow but certain working out of what you have purposed.