2 Samuel 10

“Some time later the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hunan became king in his place. Then David said, ‘I’ll show kindness to Hunan son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.’ So David sent his emissaries to console Hunan concerning his father. However, when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites, the Ammonite leaders said to Hunan their lord, ‘Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn’t David sent the emissaries in order to scout out the city, spy on it, and overthrow it?’ So Hunan took David’s emissaries, shaved off half their beards, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.” 2 Samuel 10:1-4 (HCSB)

2 Samuel 10 functions as a prophetic lesson. As Hunan and Hadadezer’s Aramaean allies stir themselves up against David, so the kings and rulers of the world were still bent on resisting the sway of the Lord and His Messianic King, Jesus.

“Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His anointed One: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.’” Psalm 2:1-2 (HCSB)

It is far easier to see the fulfillment of Psalm 2 when we eavesdrop on the prayer of the Jerusalem church in Acts 4. Especially when we hear those early believers applying the Psalm 2 prayer to Herod and Pontius Pilate (and others).

“When they heard this, they raised their voices to God and said, ‘Master, You are the One who made heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of their father David Your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the people plot futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Messiah. For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” Acts 4:24-30 (HCSB)

In today’s passage, David is the Lord’s chosen king, with Hunan and Hadadezer against him. Those folks who conspired against the Lord’s anointed lost. 2 Samuel 10 is simply a miniature Psalm 2 and proclaims: Despite all resistance and hostility, the Davidic king will rule. If we don’t have that assurance, how could we (co-heirs with the One Matthew 1:1 calls “Son of David”) live in the hope of eternal security? How else could we endure persecution for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus? In light of the assured fulfillment of the Psalm 2 prophecy, let’s reaffirm our commitment to stand firm in the Lord!