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2 Samuel 5:11–16
So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel (v. 12).
David has spent nearly his entire adult life as a homeless man. Forced by Saul to flee for his life, he left the home he shared with his first wife, Michal (1 Sam. 19:11–12). He then spent years in exile in Philistia or wandering in wilderness areas of Judah, never really settling anywhere for long. But now, after all these years of rootlessness, God has fulfilled His promises to make David king over all Israel and has helped him gain Jerusalem as his capital city. And now, at last, David gets a home.
David’s coronation prompts Hiram, the king of Tyre, a city located to the north of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, to send congratulations to David, along with a gift: the materials and the workmen to build a house for David. Hiram probably has no real admiration for David or for David’s God. In all likelihood, he is trying to promote his own interests; it certainly behooves him to establish good relations with this new king who is showing signs of having enough strength to control the trade routes through Israel. However, neither a selfish motive on Hiram’s part nor the fact that he is a stranger to God’s covenant lessens the value of this gift to David. As Matthew Henry writes: “David’s house was never the worse, nor the less fit to be dedicated to God, for being built by the sons of the stranger. It is prophesied of the gospel church, The sons of the stranger shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee, Isa. 60:10.”
With this event, David perceives that God has fulfilled all His promises to bring him to the throne. The One who ordained him has now crowned him. Furthermore, David sees that God has made him king for the good of the people of Israel. It has always been God’s plan to give Israel a king in the proper time, as a blessing to His people. Now He has done so.
Despite this perception, David in some ways behaves as if the kingship is intended as a blessing for him. We’re told that in this period of peace, David takes more wives and concubines, a practice that is expressly forbidden for kings (Deut. 17:17), and that 11 more children come from these liaisons. David is beginning to manifest a serious character flaw—an inability to curb his sexual appetites. This trait, of course, will bring him into serious sin later in his life.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
David understood that God gave Israel a king for the good of the people. In the same way, He gives leaders to His church for the good of those in the pews. This fact implies that leaders are to be servants to their people, and that church members should willingly support their leaders. Take time today to think how you can excel in this area.
For Further Study
- Mark 10:35–45
- Luke 12:37
- Rom. 15:8
- 1 Cor. 9:19