I have often pondered why King David of the Old Testament was considered one of the greatest kings in Israel. Although he did many obedient things during his lifetime, he also did some not so hot things too. While studying in 2 Samuel this past week I believe I have found a reason why David was so special.
Saul, who started out strong as the king of Israel and the Lord’s anointed, simply went down hill fast. He became obsessed with David and jealous of David’s popularity with the people, and with the Lord himself. Pride and disobedience soon became the downfall of Saul, and the Lord withdrew from him. Most of Saul’s life was spent in pursuit of David, resulting in many attempts at David’s life. One amazing thing about David was his respect for the Lord’s anointed even when he didn't deserve it really, but I don’t think this is the true reason he was considered great.
After the death of Saul, Ishbosheth, who was the son of Saul, became ruler over the kingdom the Israel but David ruled Judah.
2 Samuel 2:8 ¶ But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel.
10 Ish-bosheth Saul’s son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
These two rulers created a division in the kingdom, or in the Children of Israel. The division lasted seven years and six months. Upon the death of Ishbosheth, the tribes of Israel then came to David, and in his mercy and grace, he united the kingdom which was divided for the first time.
2 Samuel 5:1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2 Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 ¶ David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
This unification of the Children of Israel has never occurred again since. It was a great accomplishment and will only be repeated by Jesus Christ himself. In this way David is truly an Elias for Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings.
I believe that is what made David so great. What do you think?
2 comments:
That is a good insight about Israel being scattered and gathered under David and the Lord.
I think the thing that made David great, when he was great, is something unseen to the world, but can happen to anyone. It is that his own heart was after the heart of the Lord (Acts 13:22). What a great thing to have the Lord say. So we ought to ask ourselves, “Can I hear Him saying that about me?”
Hi Warden,
That is certainly an incredible tribute to David as well. I hope someday the Lord may say the same thing about me. That would be "glorious"!
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