God establishes David as King over all Israel for the sake of his people.
2 Samuel 5:6-16
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, ‘You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.’ They thought, ‘David cannot get in here.’ 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion – which is the City of David.
8 On that day David had said, ‘Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those “lame and blind” who are David’s enemies.’ That is why they say, ‘The “blind and lame” will not enter the palace.’
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces[b] inwards. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. 14 These are the names of the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada and Eliphelet.
It’s been a long journey for David. From Bethlehem to Jerusalem. From shepherd to king. From being anointed by Samuel to established by God. The journey from 1 Samuel 16 has been rocky to say the least! But here we reach a climax. David attacks Jerusalem- a city still inhabited by Jebusites who are in defiance against David’s rule as king (v6). Despite their taunts, God’s king overcomes them and takes the city. It’s a city that will be known as David’s city, Zion, Jerusalem. A city representative of God’s king and his rule.
It is clear that this victory comes from the Lord (v10, 12) and that God is the one establishing David as king for the sake of his people (v12). Things are looking good- it seems David is the king they’ve been waiting for!
But this victorious climax plummets into disappointment with the final lines of the story. In v13 we hear that “David took…” We are meant to remember God’s warnings that the people’s demand for a king would result in one who would “take,” and “take” and “take,” (1 Sam. 8:10-18). As David takes for himself concubines and wives, we realise that although God has established him as king, he’s not all we’d hoped he’d be. We’re still waiting for the best king.
The New Testament shows that King Jesus is the true and best king- David pales in comparison. And that David’s city, Jerusalem, will pale in comparison to the New Jerusalem where King Jesus will reign
with his people forever (see Revelation 21). David on his throne in Jerusalem should point us forward to this. Like David, King Jesus is established by God. And he won’t just rule Israel, but the whole earth. And like David he is king for the sake of his people. It’s for our good that Jesus is crowned king and we look forward to living in his holy city with him forever. But just as David brought the defiant Jebusites under his reign, so Jesus will bring everyone who defies him into submission.
Jesus is God’s king- either we acknowledge it now (and look forward to life in the New Jerusalem forever), or we live in defiance (but one day we’ll be compelled to submit).
Head: David as God’s king points us forward to Jesus as God’s king. David’s Jerusalem points us forward to the New Jerusalem. How is David like Jesus? How is he different? How is the Old Jerusalem like the New? How is it different?
Heart: Jesus is now established as God’s king for your good. He will bring anyone who is in defiance against him under the submission of his reign. Are you submitting to Jesus as King? Would someone looking at your life say that you are? Or are you trying to be your own king and live life however you want?
Hands: Think of an area of your life where you are not joyfully submitting to Jesus as King. Maybe your money? Work? A relationship? Your tv or internet habits? Ask God to help you submit these to Jesus as your king… it’s actually for your good!
Prayer:
Father, I give you thanks that you are the one who establishes kings. Thanks that although David was not the perfect king your people needed, you have provided the best king: Jesus. Thanks that he has begun his reign now and one day will bring all the earth under that rule as he sits on his throne in the New Jerusalem. Help me long for that day and submit now to Jesus as my King for my good. Amen
A song to listen to: Ancient of Days
Lucy Herd
Living Church City South
