SNARE ALERT!


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Just when David thinks it is time to EXHALE  and move on with life, he finds himself embroiled in another prolonged ruckus of seven years with his own out-of-control nephews and Saul's surviving son, Ish-bosheth.  He has been crowned after the death of Saul.  David has been reigning from Hebron, and Ish-bosheth is reigning over the northern tribes of Israel. The intrigue continues and Ish-bosheth is betrayed and murdered by his own men who are commanders in his army. Finally, after battles, deaths, and funerals, David is anointed as king over both Israel and Judah in 2 Samuel 5.  Later in the same chapter, there is warfare again with the Philistines, but David and his men win this battle and his kingdom is more secure...for now. 

  Back in Chapter 3, his wives are listed along with the mention of sons born to him during the seven year reign in Hebron.  In Chapter 5:13, David takes more wives and concubines who will bare him more sons and daughters.    It is not obvious yet, but the choice to have numerous wives will be a snare to him spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  It is a direct violation of Deuteronomy 17:17, and polygamy is practiced as a convenient method of sealing alliances among the surrounding nations.  This practice will become a backstory and we will see the ensnarement played out in preceding chapters of reading.  

 It is too bad that we can't see hindsight in our foresight choices.  After it is all said and done, with DONE being the operative word, we are faced with the choices we may have made out of convenience or maybe out of the press of the hour or whatever our reasoning.  We certainly may never perceive that the choice, made eons ago, may prove a snare in the future.  I have found that ignoring God's Word in making a choice has always proven to be a snare.  I have also figured out that the choice usually attracts other careless choices which only compound and cause confusion further ensuring entrapment.  After confession of my sin and weariness of being snared, here is where I usually end up, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes."   Psalm 119:71.  Thank You, Lord God, that there is forgiveness for my foolish choices, and I choose to be obedient to Your Words of Truth.  Forever learning!  In process!  #IHAVETHREESONS  

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