David Reigns Over All of Israel
August 8, 2019
Commentary
After the death of Ishbosheth, all the tribes of Israel sent their leaders to David at Hebron. There they made a covenant with him, and in a sacred ceremony, they anointed David as king over all Israel (5:1–5). After more than seven years of civil war, the nation was reunited under David’s leadership. David now ruled over a united people, and for the first time, he possessed a permanent capital. The city was known as Jebus, but from this point forward it be-came Jerusalem, the “city of David.” This marked a new beginning for the nation.
Jerusalem had been controlled by the Jebusites, a Canaanite people de-scended from Canaan (GEN 10:6, 15–16). David captured the city by entering through the water tunnel and driving out its defenders (5:6–10). With this victory, David established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of the nation. Soon after, Hiram, king of Tyre, sent cedar, craftsmen, and builders to construct David a house, confirming that the LORD had established his kingdom and exalted him for the sake of Israel (5:11–16). Some nations welcomed David as an ally, while others were prepared to resist him.
The Philistines responded to David’s rise by attacking him (5:17–25). Un-like Saul, David did not rush into battle. He asked the LORD for direction, and God gave him clear guidance. The LORD confused the Philistines with the sound in the tops of the mulberry trees, and David defeated them completely (5:24–25). This chapter shows that David’s success came not from strength alone, but from obedience and dependence on God. When Israel followed God’s chosen king, unity and victory followed. Victory came because David listened before acting.
Application
When God opens a new season in my life, how do I respond? Do I seek His guidance first, or do I rush ahead on my own? When I face opposition, do I depend on my strength or on the LORD? Today I ask God to help me listen before acting, trust His direction, and walk in obedience so He can bring unity and growth through my life.
2 Samuel 5:1–25 (NET)
1 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron saying, “Look, we are your very flesh and blood! 2 In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the real leader in Israel. The Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over Israel.’”
3 When all the leaders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, King David made an agreement with them in Hebron before the Lord. They designated David as king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign and he reigned for forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned for thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
6 Then the king and his men advanced to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who lived in the land. The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot invade this place! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back, saying, ‘David cannot invade this place!’”
7 But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8 David said on that day, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must approach the ‘lame’ and the ‘blind’ who are David’s enemies by going through the water tunnel.” For this reason it is said, “The blind and the lame cannot enter the palace.”
9 So David lived in the fortress and called it the City of David. David built all around it, from the terrace inwards. 10 David’s power grew steadily, for the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
11 King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons. They built a palace for David. 12 David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 David married more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he arrived from Hebron. Even more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 These are the names of children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been designated king over Israel, they all went up to search for David. When David heard about it, he went down to the fortress. 18 Now the Philistines had arrived and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 19 So David asked the Lord, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord said to David, “March up, for I will indeed hand the Philistines over to you.”
20 So David marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, “The Lord has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. 21 The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men picked them up.
22 The Philistines again came up and spread out in the valley of Rephaim. 23 So David asked the Lord what he should do. This time the Lord said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees. 24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the Lord is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 David did just as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.
Praying For Patience And I Want it Now
Prayer of the modern American: Dear God, I pray for patience, And I want it right now!" (Oren Arnold – in Who said that? by George Sweeting p. 349).