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Samuel chapter 5 illustrates the difficulty we all face honoring God
in our whole life. Even as David experienced personal triumph and
failure, God remained always faithful. The chapter begins, “All
the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘We are your
own flesh and blood’… the king made a compact with them at Hebron
before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel“.
Finally the entire nation is united once again. Then we read
something cool. “David
was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years…
he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he
reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years“.
Kind of interesting that God does not give David partial credit, He
counts all the time David served as king, not just the time over all
of Israel. God is so generous toward His own.
Next
it is time for David to take the city of Jerusalem. “The
king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who
lived there“.
After 400 years defeating the Israelites, the Jebusites were
arrogant, “You
will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off“.
It is noted that David did not attack the city at the stronghold,
but through a weakness “Anyone
who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft“.
No matter how strong or proud we might be, we all have
vulnerabilities. “David
then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of
David… And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God
Almighty was with him“.
Sadly we see the evidence of fame and fortune accumulate in his life
as well, “they
built a palace for David… David took more concubines and wives in
Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him“.
This did not disqualify David, but it will cause him troubles down
the road. A good warning to us; it is when we are fat and happy that
we begin to rely on our own wisdom.
Next
King David must deal with the powerful Philistines. “When
the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel,
they went up in full force to search for him“.
David wisely inquired of the Lord, “Shall
I go and attack the Philistines?” The
Lord answered him, “Go,
for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you“.
And there he defeated them, “The
Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men
carried them off“.
Then we read something very interesting. “Once
more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of
Rephaim“.
It seems they are baiting David, inviting him to attack again, but
once again David is wise enough to consult God. “Do
not go straight up, but circle around behind them… as soon as you
hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move
quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you
to strike the Philistine army“.
And we read the words that made David a great king “So
David did as the Lord commanded him“.
God seldom does things the same way, God is not boring! Are you
stuck in a rut? Lamentations 3:23 says of God’s great love for us
and His endless compassions: “They
are new every morning: Great is Your faithfulness.”
I pray you would receive the newness of God today.