This week’s reading was very interesting. So much was going on in these few chapters, along with different stories, but I think there is a common thread. The word that comes to mind to summarize our reading for this week is the word “transition.”
The tribe of Judah was experiencing a very large transition. Because of their rebellion and disobedience to God, they had been defeated by their enemies and taken into exile. They were removed from their land and from everything they knew and loved. But now, they were slowly coming back to their own land. What an amazingly good transition! It’s almost as if they had been released from prison and were now coming home. I know how that feels.
Another transition that occurred was the change in leadership for the nation of Israel. Sadly, King Saul took his own life in battle. If you remember, he was the very first King of Israel. He was supposed to be the model and representative of God to the people of Israel. He started out good, but it ended badly for him. He was not a man after God’s own heart and that had negative effects on himself, his family, the nation of Israel, and many others.
Because the king was now dead, David became king. David transitioned from being on the run from Saul as a “rogue wannabe king” to the king of Israel. What a relief it was for him! And how good it would be for Israel as well.
We all go through transitions in our lives. Some are positive, some are neutral, and some are negative. Some are our fault, some are not. Life will always be full of changes and transitions. But these transitions are not only changes in circumstances, but opportunities to grow. Judah had to learn how to be a nation again. David had to learn how to be king. And when we go through transitions, it’s our opportunity to learn and grow into better versions of ourselves for the glory of God.
