2 Samuel 12:26-31 The new covenant believers rule by the authority of the resurrected Christ.

2 Samuel 12:26-31  The New Covenant believers rule by the authority of the resurrected Christ.

Meanwhile, Joab was fighting against Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, and he captured the royal fortifications. 27 Joab sent messengers to tell David, “I have fought against Rabbah and captured its water supply. 28 Now bring the rest of the army and capture the city. Otherwise, I will capture it and get credit for the victory.”

29 So David gathered the rest of the army and went to Rabbah, and he fought against it and captured it. 30 David removed the crown from the king’s head, and it was placed on his own head. The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and it weighed seventy- five pounds. David took a vast amount of plunder from the city. 31 He also made slaves of the people of Rabbah and forced them to labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to work in the brick kilns. That is how he dealt with the people of all the Ammonite towns. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.

Background

Joab is entrusted with the seige of Rabbah, the capital of Ammon. Having made some headway, he sent for David when the city’s fall is imminent. As it is fitting for a king to personally take possession of the city, David wasted no time in plundering the city and made slaves of the people of Rabbah. In today’s passage, we learn about the believer’s call to conquer and to rule with Christ. Hence, we must not be entangled with the cares of life and with the sins that ensnares us.

Observation

Now bring the rest of the army and capture the city

Joab leads the charge against Rabbah, the capital of Ammon. Having strategically captured of its water supply, the fall of Rabbah becomes imminent. Joab expresses concern for David’s reputation, and not to take for granted the city’s submission under the king, called for David’s leadership at the final blow. It is customary that the conquered city be named after the conqueror. Zion became known as the City of David after he personally led his men and conquered it (2 Samuel 5:7).

The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and it weighed seventy- five pounds

The transfer of the crown, the symbol of superiority to David consummates his rule over the people of Ammon. The gems and the precious materials that comprises the crown signify glory in connection with supremacy. David’s position of authority has gained him vast amount of plunder as well as human resources.

Truth

All sons of God are called to lead the charge against the powers of darkness and to conquer, and not to be rutted by the cares of life.

As sons, we possess the power within to conquer. However, many believers have been deceived into thinking that they are slaves and are powerless against the realities of life. Hence, they are perpetually stuck with the cares of backroom logistics that is reserved for the less resolute. Sons are called to conquer, not to dabble in the cares of life and the sins that so easily ensnares. David’s absence from the battle hints at a decline perhaps because of age, but Joab’s message carries a noticeable sarcasm: Otherwise, I will capture it and get credit for the victory. Nevertheless, David rises to the occasion and captures the city to his credit.

Therefore, as sons of God, we have to be single minded in pursuing the kingdom’s course. Many believers are oblivious to their call and destiny; hence, they remain sublime and passive in their daily endeavors. They shy away from challenges and prefer to ride on the coat tails of others. God has determined that no one can establish a territory as part of God’s kingdom except His own sons:

You have crowned him (a son of God) with glory and honor, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet. Hebrews 2:7-8

David is fit to wear the victor’s crown, worthy of glory and honor. Angels can battle against evil spirits and prevail over them, but they are not called to preside over a territory and establish God’s rule over it: For He did not subject to angels the world to come (Hebrews 2:5). David is an archetype of a son, whereas Joab is a servant. Hence, as opposed to a son, a servant cannot preside over a territory and establish the kingdom’s rule over it. Sons are called to be kings and rule the earth with Christ. If sons do not conquer, then what do they rule over? And what glory and honor do they have?

Therefore, as sons of God, we must be ready to conquer. How then should we conquer?

• We tear down values systems that are contrary to the truth of God. We conquer by establishing godly behavior in the family, work place and the community.
• We educate the young to regenerate their hearts and minds according to the God’s values system. We help them excel in their academic pursuits and give them a vision.
• We prepare and develop the next generation with the necessary instincts to help the country progress into the next stage of nation building.
• We engage in charity work to provide for the poor so that they may have daily necessities to live comfortably.
• We participate in mission work and church planting, to bring the gospel to places yet reached by the gospel.

The New Covenant believers rule by the authority of the resurrected Christ.

King David is a type of Christ whom new covenant believers model after. David possessed authority to charge over his army and the angels. Likewise, Jesus after He forgave His tormentors was exalted as King taking charge over creation and the angels:

Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him. – 1 Peter 3:21b-22.

With His authority, Jesus empowered faithful believers over the angels so that we may rule with Him. Paul said,

Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 2:4-7

God’s surpassing riches of His grace towards us is revealed through our exaltation to the level of authority in Jesus Christ… so that we may rule creation with Him.

The New Covenant believers conquer by influencing people with truth and love.

In the days of old, David conquers by fear and by slavery. But in the last days, we conquer by regenerating people’s hearts by the truth and love in the power of the Spirit. Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” As believers live Spirit-filled lives, we win people over by transforming them in the likeness of Christ. Paul said,

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

Therefore, in the era of the New Covenant (unlike the Old Covenant) we do not seek to destroy those who persecute us, but rather the evil spirit behind them. In response to the disciples’ suggestion to destroy their persecutors with fire front heaven, Jesus said,

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” – Luke 9:55-56

Application

Do we spend time thinking how to get ahead in the company to rule with fear and political might? Or do we conscientiously build love and trust at the work place? Believers must not battle against flesh and blood. But seek to overcome hostile elements by destroying the evil spirits working behind them through the angels.

Dear Lord, I ask you to give me a clear mind to discern what is right and what is wrong. Help me to fear you and not to fear men. Enable me to speak the truth in love, to make even my enemies to be at peace with me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.