File No. 61

II SAMUEL 2:1–4; 5:1 — 6:19

II Samuel 1:1–11; 2:1–4, 8–11; 3:1–27; 4:5–12; I Chronicles 15:1 – 16:3

DAVID KING OVER ISRAEL / BRINGS COVENANT BOX TO JERUSALEM

Printable Version

(SBS Bk 2 Story Nos. 45 & 46)

Story Notes

Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle.

David knew his kingship was God’s doing and sought the Lord for his starting point. He returned to Hebron with 600 fighting men and their families and Judah as a tribe came forward willingly and anointed him as their king.

David’s rise to the throne illustrates how, in this egoistic and defensive world, the authority of the Lord’s Anointed will always be contested. But God himself has declared that his Son is Lord and Christ by raising him from the dead (Acts 2:36) and those who receive him do so because they see that God has sent him to bless them (Acts 3:26).

Two of David’s commanders presumed that power would be used under his reign as it was among other nations and killed their king to ensure their position in the new regime. How wrong they were! David’s heart had been well tutored against meeting anger with anger. The wrath of man would not work the righteousness of God (James 1:20). He had made this clear to his own people. Now he had made it plain to the Northern tribes. The scene was set for his kingship over all Israel.

For over seven years after his anointing as king, David exercised that responsibility in the South. Now the North was ready to acknowledge him. It was clear to all that God was King Maker in Israel. David was anointed as king for a second time (cf. 2:4).

The widened kingdom required a new base, and David selected an unconquered city—Jerusalem. The Jebusite inhabitants scornfully said blind and lame people could defend the city but David despised their scorn and defeated the city, perhaps by gaining entry through an aqueduct. The stronghold was called Zion. From here his kingdom was steadily strengthened. Israel knew once more that God was with their king, and with them.

This victory was symbolically essential for David’s reign and for the demonstration of God’s victory among the nations. The name of the citadel was ‘Zion’ but this became the name for the whole city, and especially for the temple site where the Lord revealed his presence and power (Ps. 48:2; Matt. 5:35). It is the name taken over by the church because she is the people and the ‘city’ secured by the victories of Christ (Heb. 12:22; I Peter 2:6; Rev. 14:1).

Tribute began to flow from a northern neighbour. It was this, rather than victory over all Israel, or even victory over local nations, that settled it in David’s mind that his kingship was established. A later prophet would say that it was too light a thing for the Lord’s Servant to raise up the tribes of Israel; he would be a light to the nations (Isa. 49:6). Here, already, there was a display of the Lord’s glory among the nations, in fulfilment of his promises to Israel (Deut. 15:6; 28:12, 44), and in readiness for Christ who would fulfil the prophecy.

David’s true loyalty was now clear to the Philistines. He retreated to his stronghold (at Jerusalem or Adullam?) and, under God’s direct leading, defeated them twice. David knew that idols could not protect a nation, and idols would fail and fall because of the Lord who cared for Israel.

King David knew his authority came from the Lord. He knew the Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence and his name could be invoked there. Saul had done nothing to make the ark central to Israel’s national life, but David desired that it should be with him at his capital.

Carrying the ark in a cart may have been all right for the Philistines when they returned it (I Sam. 6:7), but Israel had been given precise instructions about how to carry it. David had a lesson in reverence when God ‘broke out’ against Uzzah’s ‘breaking out’ in touching the ark. But this severity of God was with a view to blessing Israel, as he showed by blessing the home where the ark rested. As soon as David realised this, he was again eager to have the ark and came now with ‘bearers’ (as required in Exod. 37:5).

David’s joy was that God was king among his people. He dressed in priestly dress, like those who bore the ark, and unashamedly confessed his delight in the goodness of God to the nation. (Cf. Psalms 47; 68; 98.) He worshipped with burnt offerings and peace offerings. Being assured of God’s favour, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord (as represented by the ark) and celebrated the fellowship they enjoyed before the Lord by distributing food for all to eat. Here was true worship, a model for Israel to follow.

© Grant Thorpe 2000