“Avner immediately sent envoys to David with this message: ‘Who is going to control the land? If you make yourself my ally, I will use my power to bring all Israel over to you.‘ David sent this reply: ‘Very well, I will be your ally — on one condition: you will not come into my presence unless at the same time you bring with you Mikhal Sha’ul’s daughter.’”-2 Samuel 3:12
In verse 12, we’re told Avner quickly acted on his promise that if he failed to install David as king over northern Israel, the Lord should bring terrible curses upon him.
So, Avner sends messengers to David, the King of Judah, asking if he’s open to a peace covenant.
David says he is but only under one condition.
Michal, the bride whom Saul stole from him, must be returned!
David uses a phrase quite common in the Middle East back then but has a deeper meaning.
He says…
“You will not come into my presence…”
But the original Hebrew here for “presence” here is PANIM or פָּנִים.
PANIM means “face.”
Now, here’s something most homies don’t know.
Only folks in power or royalty would use that term.
Lemme say that again because this is important.
Only royalty or an individual who possessed great authority would use the word PANIM.
I hope you’re feeling me here.
David was telling Avner he wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near his royal presence unless the great insult Saul committed by stealing his wife was rectified.
Now, here’s what’s interesting.
Yeshua essentially said the same thing about his “bride” Israel.
Check out these verses:
“Yerushalayim! Yerushalayim!
You kill the prophets!
You stone those who are sent to you!
How often I wanted to gather your children,
just as a hen gathers her chickens
under her wings, but you refused!
Look! God is abandoning your
house to you, leaving it desolate.
For I tell you, from now on,
you will not see me again until you say,
‘Blessed is he who comes
in the name of Adonai.’”
-Matthew 23:37-39
Remember, properly understanding Scripture means understanding the patterns embedded in Scripture.
Let’s close today’s post with three patterns that connect David with the Messiah, the son of David.
Pattern One:
David came as Israel’s king, chosen and put in place by God.
Yeshua, the son of David, also came as Israel’s King, chosen and put in place by God.
Pattern Two:
David wanted his bride returned to him by Saul’s men, who had taken her away.
Yeshua wants His bride (all of redeemed Israel) to return to him after being taken captive by Satan’s forces.
Pattern Three:
David would not make peace with his people until his bride was returned to show trust and respect.
Yeshua will not make peace with His people until His bride returns to show trust and respect.
So those are three patterns.
But if you can discern any more, lemme know in the comments.
See ya all next time!
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“I was sent only to
the lost sheep of Israel.”
-Matthew 15:24
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