Back to 2 Samuel. Getting David crowned king of all Israel is no mean feat, and there’s a lot of bloodshed in the story:

David moves to Hebron and becomes king over Judah:

So David moved to Hebron, along with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David’s men, along with their families, also went with him and made their home in and around Hebron. The citizens of Judah came to Hebron, and then and there made David king over the clans of Judah. (2 Samuel 2.2 – 4, MSG)

In the meantime…

Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth to Mahanaim and made him king …over all Israel. (2 Samuel 2.8, 9, MSG)

So now we have civil war: David’s general, Joab, versus Abner. Starting with a contest where 12 men from each side kill each other, there is a battle in which David’s men are winning. However, in the process, Abner kills Joab’s brother Asahel as Asahel is pursuing him:

Abner turned and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It surely is,” he said. Abner said, “Let up on me. Pick on someone you have a chance of beating and be content with those spoils!” But Asahel wouldn’t let up. Abner tried again, “Turn back. Don’t force me to kill you. How would I face your brother Joab?” When he refused to quit, Abner struck him in the belly with the blunt end of his spear so hard that it came out his back. Asahel fell to the ground and died at once. Everyone who arrived at the spot where Asahel fell and died stood and gaped—Asahel dead! (2 Samuel 2.20 – 23, MSG)

As I say, it’s messy, and it gets worse. Stay tuned.

In the Bible and in life, there is often a delay between the promise and the fulfillment. Even now, as we pray “Your Kingdom come,” there is a delay. And while we wait, there’s a battle. Jesus will win, of course, just as David will win in our story, but not without cost.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10.36, ESV)

God is strong, and he wants you strong…This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. (Ephesians 6.10, 12, MSG)