March 25 A READ 2 SAMUEL 5 –7
David’s Reign over a United Nation
OVERVIEW
Initially, David’s rule extends only over the tribe of Judah. But with the death of Ishbosheth, all Israel transfers her allegiance to David as the rightful ruler. After making Jerusalem his new capital, David wastes no time in bringing the Ark of God back from Baalah of Judah (otherwise known as Kiriath-jearim), where it had sat for years. Intent on building a beautiful house for God, David learns that God has promised to build an everlasting house for him instead: his throne, family, and kingdom will be established forever, and he will take his place among the great men of history.
MY DAILY WALK
The motto “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God” would aptly summarize David’s early years in office as king. He moved speedily to implement his godly convictions both politically and religiously, reversing the godless influences of King Saul. And though God would not permit him to fulfill his dream of building the Temple, he never discouraged David from attempting other great enterprises for him.
Building projects for God are costly. They demand vision, time, sacrifice, and perseverance. The great Christian schools, the majestic churches, and the missionary organizations that touch millions of lives spiritually and physically—each began with a dream in the heart of a committed child of God.
Do you have a dream of how God might want to use you, your family, your church, your skills, or your resources to impact your world for him? If not, allow God to implant a dream for his glory; then dream it, plan it, pursue it, and—as God enables—achieve it!
ONE PERSON WITH A DREAM IS EQUAL TO NINETY-NINE WHO HAVE ONLY INTERESTS.
INSIGHT
Capturing a Capital | 2 Sam. 5:6-7
Early in his reign as king, David conquered Jerusalem (5:6-7), a city that had been conquered and then lost again during the conquest of Canaan (Judges 1:8, 21). During the reign of Solomon, Jerusalem was solidified as the political and spiritual capital of the united kingdom of Israel. Sadly, the nation’s unity didn’t last, and Jerusalem was eventually sacked by the Babylonians.
INSIGHT
In the Eye of the Beholder | 2 Sam. 6:20-21
To Michal, David’s exuberant worship was for show (6:20-21)—to impress the ladies present. If that were true, God would have hated his worship as much as Michal did. But in David’s eyes, his dance was exclusively for the Lord. In the eyes of the God who distinguishes motives, David’s worship was accepted, and Michal was rejected for her judgment.
INSIGHT
Covenant Love | 2 Sam. 7:15
The interaction between David and God in chapter 7 is a beautiful picture of a covenant relationship. Each expressed the kind of love that desires to lavish gifts on the other. (And God’s gifts are always greater!)
David Becomes King of All Israel
1Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2In the past,* when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the LORD told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”
3So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the LORD with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.
4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. 5He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years.
David Captures Jerusalem
6David then led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there. The Jebusites taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” For the Jebusites thought they were safe. 7But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.
8On the day of the attack, David said to his troops, “I hate those ‘lame’ and ‘blind’ Jebusites.* Whoever attacks them should strike by going into the city through the water tunnel.*” That is the origin of the saying, “The blind and the lame may not enter the house.”*
9So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces* and working inward. 10And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
11Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. 12And David realized that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13After moving from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more concubines and wives, and they had more sons and daughters. 14These are the names of David’s sons who were born in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
David Conquers the Philistines
17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. 18The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. 19So David asked the LORD, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”
The LORD replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”
20So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The LORD did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). 21The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.
22But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. 23And again David asked the LORD what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the LORD replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar* trees. 24When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the LORD is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 25So David did what the LORD commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon* to Gezer.