2 Samuel 22 - 23:7

Read 2 Samuel 22 - 23:7

Verse chosen for meditation: 2 Samuel 23: 1 ESV

Now these are the last words of David:

The oracle of David, the son of Jesse,

the oracle of the man who was raised on high,

the anointed of the God of Jacob,

the sweet psalmist of Israel

Reflect

Barring a few minor changes, 2 Samuel 22 is exactly the same as Psalm 18. But they couldn't have been written around the same time. Given the chronological incongruity, many years and events would, in fact, have come between the two writings. But how is it that they still bear the same descriptions and words?

Psalm 18, on the one hand, was written by a much fresher David at the time before his infamous adultery and not too long after his ascension to the throne. 2 Samuel 22, on the other, is a collection of reminiscences by a much older David who had been there, seen that, done that.

That said, however, can you spot any difference?  If so, what's the difference, and why? If not, what could be the plausible explanation?

Relate

Time is a great teacher, healer as well as revealer. But time is also a test. How often have we heard, or come across the phrase 'the test of time'? To stand the test of time means to be still as good after a long time. And one lifetime is a good gauge.

David has certainly changed over time. He's no longer the young shepherd boy, the son of Jesse, from a humble beginning. Through the years, he has risen, not through the ranks, but by standing on the shoulders of giants, the shoulders of none other’s than God's. Among all his talents and achievements, he is best known and remembered for his eloquence and honest expression of the inner life as the great psalmist. Although without exception, like the rest of us, he too had sinned and suffered the consequences of sin.

So, why is it that there seems to be little or no change between Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22 when in actuality, much had happened in the intervening years?

It could be that he was fully repentant of his sin by then. Psalm 51 carries an excellent confession of his sin. It puts him right back in the race to be the man after God's heart. And clinching the label from God, he eventually did.

However, I am more inclined to think that it is because of the immutability of God. In other words, God has not changed at all in the eyes of David since he was a shepherd boy.

For to David, the love, faithfulness and goodness of God have withstood the test of time, his lifetime. The shadow of God has continued to be the constant shelter in his life. The many pages of his dialogues with God, though they may have turned a sepia tone, the memories of them are still as fresh as they were yesterday.

It is evident and obvious that his relationship with God has remained warm and tight through the years. He has not forgotten a single thing that God has done. Even the shifting shadows of adversity could not hide from him the love and mercy of God. Just by looking at the mountains alone would remind him all over again of where his help comes from (Psalm 121: 1, 2).

The beauty of this relationship comes from the assurance that God will never leave us. For there is no growing old with God, only a growing closer. Though we will become weak, God will stay strong as ever. And he will be by our side always if we remain by his.

Could this be the one reason that David was called the man after God's heart? 

He saw the unchanging character of God. The God of his youth was the same as the God of his twilight years. More importantly, God saw in him, too, the same shepherd boy whom he chose.

Indeed, there is no need or reason for any change in our testimony of God. With the test of time, he will be found the same.

Rest

Lord, great is thy faithfulness. There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassion, they fail not. As thou has been, thou forever wilt be. (from the hymn ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ )

Naville Chia