2 Samuel Chapter 5

“So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”

2 Sam 5:12

Prior to his inauguration as king at thirty years of age (v4), David had to be trained. As an Olympian is trained to go ‘faster, higher, stronger’ such that he manifests his peak performance at the games, David went through some hard knocks in his early years.

His training was one that did not lack challenges.

Instead of being a carefree boy surrounded by playmates and friends (in real life and on IG), David spent many moments alone and unaided. To protect and guard the sheep under his care, he singlehandedly jostled and fended off wild animals as an unknown shepherd boy.

But it was when he was alone in the fields that David learnt to trust and rely on our almighty God, and understand that God loves His people, and will protect him just like David tries to protect his own flock. The young boy David must have wondered many thoughts, dreamt of a ‘better’ life occasionally, and said many prayers in solitude.

He matured gradually into a fine young man, but he was put through even more physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging trials.

He trusted in the strength of God and killed the troubler of Israel Goliath with wisdom and the barest minimum of tools.

As he progressed in life from an unknown boy to a notable leader in his own sphere of influence (v1-2), he faced king Saul daily, serving a master who became bitterly jealous of him to the point of placing every waking moment of his life in danger.

At one point, David lived the life of a fugitive, in constant stress and fear. We discuss about mental health and wellness today. What David had to endure was no mean feat, and there were moments when he had succumbed.

Today, despite all the challenges we meet with, be it dealing with difficult people, naysayers (v6, 7) or poverty, and sickness, we face each day with hope, joy and humility because we have God with us (v10). And God could be moulding us into His glorious image, just like He did David, so that His kingdom would be exalted for the sake of His people (v12).

The Olympian puts much effort into training for the value he hopes to attain when he receives the highest podium placing and hears his national anthem being played.

May we learn to find assurance in God (v19) no matter how difficult and ‘unbearable’ it gets (1 Sam 26:24), and be willing to be trained and refined, for the immeasurable value we will attain when He accepts us and receives us into His kingdom.

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