II Samuel 4-5

“As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble ...” (4:9). David objected to the revenge-killings and assassinations his supporters carried out, knowing that they were against the ways of the Lord who was his true deliverer. Joab murdered Abner (general of the opposing army) in revenge for killing Joab’s brother, and then Ish-Bosheth son of Saul was killed, leaving the tribes that followed him leaderless. These actions – even killing a man “on his own bed” (4:11) – brought no glory to God.

“David inquired of the Lord” (5:19). Charisma and human power achieve results, yet not God’s glory. If we want our lives to bring honor to Jesus, we choose his ways over the world’s.