299. FROM THE SHEEPCOTE TO THE THRONE
"Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron"
Many years had passed since David had been anointed by Samuel as King over the whole house of Israel. We might have imagined that the anointing meant David would immediately be placed on the throne. In stead of that, David the shepherd first became the popular head of the ar my, then the King's son-in-law, next an exile under royal disfavour, next a mountain chieftain, next a Philistine auxiliary. Finally he became the accepted monarch of a small section of the Kingdom of Israel, before the full development of the divine purpose was reached.
We learn the lesson that God is never in a hurry and time is at His com mand. David's patience was tried and David's faith was rewarded. "David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker" (2 Sam. 3:1), until at last the Kingdom of Saul col lapsed, and David's authority was established in all the land. The princi ple has not changed with the passing of time. "Tribulation worketh pa tience; and patience experience; and experience, hope" (Rom. 5:3, 4). "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22). A place on the same throne that David occupied is offered to the faithful, by the King who shall reign on it forever: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne" (Rev. 3:21; Luke 1:32-33).
Our aim in this lesson is to see how God rewards those who patiently endure to the end.
2 Samuel 2 to 5
DAVID, KING OVER JUDAH IN HEBRON (2 Sam. 2:1-7).
David took Saul's death as a sign that the time had come to take the throne (cp. 1 Sam. 26:10). Even so he did not take matters into his own hands but enquired of God, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" Having received an answer from God, he and his men went up to the cities of Hebron, where they then dwelt. Israel was without a king and in disarray. On hearing that David had returned from exile and knowing God's promise to him, the men of Judah anointed the popular hero as their king (v. 4).
The question now pressed itself in the mind of David: how would all Israel be gathered to him? When he learned that the men of Jabesh-Gilead were responsible for giving Saul an honourable burial, he blessed them in the name of God. He also reminded them that Saul was dead and he was now King in Judah. Plainly he was implying that they should take the lead and join forces with him. But such was not to be at that time.
DIVISION IN ISRAEL (2 Sam. 2:8-32).
Abner forestalled David's hopes of uniting Israel by installing Ishbosheth, Saul's son, upon the throne. Abner had been Saul's captain and was the real strength behind the feeble monarch. He seems to have known that David would eventually succeed Saul's house, yet he kept the kingdom apart, probably to preserve his own position (3:9-10, 17-18).
Civil war broke out between both houses of Israel. Joab, the son of Zeruiah, led the servants of David, and Abner the servants of Ishbosheth. Both sides faced each other on opposite sides of the pool in Gibeon and a force of 12 men from each group all perished in a token battle. As always happens when brethren fight, there is tragedy and both sides lose.
In the sore battle that followed, Abner's men were put to flight. Asahel, Joab's youngest brother, pursued the experienced Abner with the fleetness of a roe. Ignoring repeated warnings to turn aside, Asahel perished by the skilful spear of Abner. The sight of fallen Asahel ignited the fires of vengeance in his brethren, Joab and Abishai, so that they pur sued Abner and his host to the wilderness of Gibeon.
There Abner received help from the Benjamites. The battle was stalemated and, following Abner's call to remember that they were brethren and that the sword could only produce bitterness in the end, both sides ceased. When a count was made of casualties it was revealed that only 19 of David's men were lost, but 360 of Abner's had fallen. Clearly God was with David (3:1); Abner's folly, in refusing David the Kingdom, was manifesting itself. At length it would cost Abner his life. Refusal to obey God always leads to death (Prov. 8:34-36).
DAVID WAXES STRONGER AND ISHBOSHETH WEAKER (2 Sam. 3).
The strength of David's position is emphasized by a direct statement in the record (v. 1), and also by the fact that six sons were born to him in Hebron (vv. 2-5). But in the house of Saul there was division. Abner had taken Rizpah, Saul's concubine, to wife, probably to demonstrate that he was the strength behind Saul's house (cp. 16:22). When Ishbosheth, charged him with fault concerning the woman, it offended his pride and he vowed to give the northern kingdom into the hands of David. He also declared that in this he would be doing the will of Yahweh for He had sworn to give David the throne over Israel from Dan to Beersheba (vv. 6-11).
Accordingly he sent messengers to David with his intentions, but David refused to make a league until his wife Michal was restored to him (vv.12-16). Diplomatically Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and later the Benjamites. They were pleased with his decision to transfer the north ern kingdom into the strong hands of David. Abner could now speak to David with the confidence that all Israel endorsed his action. David received Abner and his men with festivity and they were sent away in peace with the purpose of uniting Israel under David (vv. 18-21).
But alas, Joab was not a party to the agreement. He was away fighting the king's battles. When he heard what had transpired, he rebuked David for making an alliance with his enemies. Unknown to David, Joab sent for Abner who, without suspecting his malicious intentions, perished by Joab's deceitful and deadly sword (vv. 22-27). He had exacted his vengeance for the death of his brother, Asahel. But God has declared, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay" (Rom. 12:19). At length, in the wisdom of God, he too, became the victim of the sword for his treachery (1 Kings 2:28-34).
Joab's action was foolish indeed. Israel was about to unite under David. Matters were delicate and crucial. And now the chief negotiator from Israel had perished in Judah. David pronounced a bitter curse upon the house of Joab and wisely made it plain that he disapproved of Joab's action and was not party to it. He caused the people to rend their clothes and personally accompanied the bier. He made a public lamentation over Abner, extolling his virtues, and refusing to eat till the sun went down. David was a king with a wise and understanding heart. His subjects were impressed and pleased. Moreover, it was obvious to all Israel that he deplored Joab's brutality (vv. 28-39).
ISRAEL CRUMBLES WITH ABNER'S DEATH (2 Sam. 4).
Upon hearing the news of Abner's death, Ishbosheth's "courage fail ed" (v. 1, RSV). Israel was confused. Perceiving this and the need to unite quickly with David, two brothers, Rechab and Baanah, contrived to bring unity about in a way which they thought would secure their honour. They slew Ishbosheth while he slept on his bed and conveyed his head to David as the evidence that the day of Yahweh's vengeance upon the house of Saul had come. But David was not impressed. He was a just man, believing the law, "thou shall not kill". Rechab and Baanah had slain a righteous man asleep on his bed (v. 11). (Ishbosheth had actually been forward in returning Michal to David (3:15), and had, no doubt, hoped that the Kingdom would have been transferred to David peaceably).
David was troubled. The two brothers would be rewarded with shame not honour. They were quickly slain and hung over the pool at Hebron as a public witness that King David would not tolerate iniquity (w. 9-12). Their hands and feet were cut off, for "hands that shed innocent blood... and feet that be swift in running to mischief" are an "abomination" to Yahweh (Prov. 6:16-18).
How severe will be the judgements of God upon this world for its violence and crimes? True disciples of Yahweh can have no part in physical violence and vengeance to attain their ends. Their Lord has com manded them to amputate their hands and feet should these limbs become a stumbling block (Mark 9:42-45).
ISRAEL AND JUDAH UNITED UNDER THE ANOINTED (2 Sam. 5:1-10).
David's firm but merciful rulership attracted the northern tribes which were now in disarray. Without coercion all the tribes rallied to David in Hebron and willingly offered allegiance. They pleaded three points:
1. "We are bone of thy bone'';
2. "Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel"; and
3. "Yahweh said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be captain over Israel" (vv. 1-2).
With such ready homage, a covenant was made in Hebron and David was anointed king over Israel. David was 30 when anointed King over Judah and it was seven and a half years later when he was made King over all Israel (vv. 4-5). Thus God's word of promise came to pass in a remarkable way € without David presuming to grasp power. Truly God could later say, "I gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah" (2 Sam. 12:8).
David next took the city of Jerusalem from the hands of the Gentiles. Jerusalem (or Jebus) was situated in Benjamin on the border with Judah and so it was an appropriate place for him to reign over all the tribes. The nation of Israel was now about to move into the most glorious period of its history.
DAVID A TYPE OF CHRIST.
In many ways the accession of David to the throne is typical of The Lord Jesus Christ € the one who is to occupy the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). The table on the following page shows a number of points in this comparison.
DAVID € A TYPE OF CHRIST
DAVID CHRIST
1. Both were shepherds of their people. Ps. 78:70-72 Matt. 26:31
2. Both were exiled and rejected by their countrymen. 1 Sam. 26:19 John 11:53-54;
Isa. 53:3
3. Both were honoured and loved for their integrity and righteousness and were follow ed by men. 1 Sam. 18:16,30 Mark 3:7-9
4. Both were promised the throne of Israel. 1 Sam. 16:1, 13 Luke 1:30-33
5. The Lord Jesus will, like David, save Judah first. 2 Sam. 2:1-4 Zech. 12:7
6. The Lord Jesus will, like David, unite both houses of Israel.
2 Sam. 5:3 Ezek. 37:22
7. Like David, Christ will redeem Jerusalem from the treading down of the Gentiles (Jebus = 'trodden down') and rule there from, 2 Sam. 5:7 Luke 21:24;
Jer. 3:17;
Joel 3:16
LESSONS FOR US:
€ David's prospects were never darker than when he returned to Ziklag to find it burnt with fire and all the families missing. Yet he was on the verge of day-break.
€ Like David we are tried in the furnace of affliction, but in due season we will reap if we faint not.
€ Now is not the day of our exaltation and glory. We must submit to the yoke of Christ by putting aside the prizes this world has to offer, yet sacrifice and self denial for Christ's sake shall give way to glory, honour and immortality in the Kingdom soon to dawn.
€ A worthy end does not justify unscrupulous means. Though Abner and Ishbosheth had to be moved aside to make way for David, he lamented the violence men used to hasten these events.
€ Righteousness and justice became keynotes of David's reign (cp. Psa. 72:2).
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Ways of Providence" (R. Roberts) € Chapter 17
"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield) € Vol. 3, No. 12
"The Man David" (H. Tennant) € Pages 88-105
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. Why did David punish Rechab and Baanah for slaying Ishbosheth?
2. Why did David disassociate himself from Joab, when he slew Abner?
3. On what occasions was David anointed king in Hebron?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. 1.
2. 3.
1. Describe how God brought both Judah and Israel under the rulership of David.
2. In what ways was David a type of Christ?
3. David had to patiently wait for many years before he was made king over all Israel. How was his character developed in these years? What lessons can we learn from this?