REIGN OF DAVID

1. As soon as David learned of Saul's death he went by God's direction to Hebron, where he was anointed by the men of Judah to be king over them. It is true that he had already been divinely appointed to this position, but the tribe now formally recognized him as their king. He was not yet accepted as king over all the tribes, for the son of Saul had been chosen to succeed his father by the commander of Saul's army, Abner, and under the lead of the latter all the tribes of Israel except Judah rallied about Ishbosheth and opposed the rule of David; but the latter continued to become stronger and the other became weaker. There was a general lack of sympathy between the northern tribes and Judah, and the rivalry between the kings threatened a complete disruption of the people; this, however, was postponed for three -quarters of a century. Saul had done much to unite the tribes, but what success he gained in this seems to have been due to the fact that the tribes had a common enemy rather than to the kingly qualities of Saul.

2. It might have been expected that the rest of the tribes would prevail over the single tribe of Judah, but it was Jehovah's will that David should be king over his people, and different things aided to bring this about after David had ruled seven years and a half at Hebron. Abner aroused the jealousy of his king, and when censured by him, be came angry and threatened to turn the kingdom over to David. He made known to David that he was ready to deliver the kingdom to him, reminded the Israelites that they had before desired to have David as their king, and when making final arrangements for fulfilling his threat was killed by the treacherous Joab. When his death was followed by the assassination of Saul's son, nothing stood in the way of Israel's recognizing David as their king. They came to him at Hebron and expressed their own desire in the matter, and admitted that God had designated him to be king. Thus David began his magnificent reign over Israel. He captured Jerusalem and made it his capital and by so doing avoiding any tribal jealousy by choosing a city outside the territory of Judah (Josh. 18:16), no doubt selecting it especially because of its choice situation, already an ancient stronghold and easily defended. The Philistines learning that David was king attempted twice to subdue him and in each instance signally failed.

3. The first great work that David undertook as king was to provide a place for the ark and to bring it to Jerusalem. It had been in Kirjath-jearim since it was returned by the Philistines. All the people gladly joined in this religious movement. The king himself was most prominent in manifesting an interest in the worship of Jehovah. Even after the ark was safely housed in its new tabernacle David desired to make for it a temple of stone, but was not allowed to do so, as his great work was to be the subduing of Israel's enemies, while his son, whose reign would be one of peace, should build the temple for Israel's worship.

The religious character of David is shown in his care for the ark at the very outset of his reign. His delight was in God's will rather than in his own gratification. And thus he is promised that his sons shall continue to reign, that the kingdom shall not be taken from him as from Saul. The promise involves more than Solomon, it looks forward to the coming of Christ.

4. One thing that led to the magnificence of the kingdom of Israel under David was the subjection of the surrounding peoples. David went against the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, the Edomites, and the Ammonites, and was victorious over them all. The purpose of his conflict with these peoples was not that he might take possession of their territory, but that he might defend his people from destruction by them; it was for self-defense. As a result of his victories, Israel had peace during the later portion of his reign and that of Solomon. The booty that David secured in these wars was consecrated to the service of Jehovah.

The power of the Philistines was first thoroughly checked by David's victory over them. They were not destroyed, and indeed were influential in Israel's history in after years, but the nation of Israel was too mighty for them to subdue again. David's conflict with the Syrians was brought about by their making an alliance with the enemies that were nearer to the borders of Canaan. Garrisons were established in the countries conquered that they might be held in subjection and be compelled to pay tribute. In 2 Sam. 8:13 the word “Syrians” should without doubt be read Edom.

5. The darkest spot in the life of David is the record of his sin with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite. The blackness of this sin appears all the greater because of the character of David manifested at other times. Our estimate of his character is of course not to be determined by this one act, nor indeed by any series of acts, but by his own estimate of his deed when its real nature was brought home to his conscience by the prophet. His act affected not only himself but also the nation; his exalted position made it all the more necessary that God should show his displeasure with his chosen king. David's punishment was severe.

The author of Chronicles does not mention the sin of David, not because he did not know of it, nor because he wanted to make David appear better than he was, but be cause his purpose did not involve the presentation of those features of the history. It is generally admitted that Psalms 32 and 51 were occasioned by this event in David's life.

It must not be supposed that the characters presented to us in the Bible are intended for models that we might imitate them. The histories of the different persons are given simply that we may see how they were connected with God's plan of redemption. Some of them are cited as examples of faith, but they are not held up as perfect models having the endorsement of the Bible.

6. Nathan had declared to David that he would have trouble because of his sin. Six chapters in 2 Samuel are taken up with the events leading to the revolt of Absalom and its results. The evils described were due in part at least to the system of polygamy that prevailed. When Amnon had sinned against Tamar, Absalom had him killed by his servants, and then fled to his mother's relatives in Bashan. Through the intercession of Joab, after three years David permitted him to return, but he was not allowed to see the face of the king for two years more. Afterward Absalom secretly gained the favor of the people, and when he proclaimed his treason against his father large numbers gathered to him and thus rejected David. The latter fled before the advance of his son, crossed to the east of the Jordan, fought and defeated Absalom's army, and then deeply grieved because of his death.

Even though the kingdom of Israel attained to such pre eminence by the prowess of David there very soon appear indications of dangerous tendencies that led to the punishment of the chosen people. The actual decline of the nation did not begin till after the period of magnificence under Solomon.

The fact that the Israelites so easily exchanged David for Absalom as their king may perhaps be accounted for by the fact that David had already shown a lack of care for the people, that he had lost some of his ability as a king. The fact also shows that the people exercised a right to choose whom they would for their king. That the people's will was not to be ignored is shown in David's waiting to return from Bashan until he was requested to come back by the Israelites. The lack of unity among the tribes begins to show itself again at this period; Judah is not in full accord with the northern tribes.

The conduct of David in this sore trial is worthy of note. He regards all his trouble as coming from God, and will not permit anything to be done for his own interests simply. He would not allow the ark to be taken from the city, nor did he resent the curses of Shimei. His grief over Absalom shows the forgiving father's heart, though it came near turning from him the allegiance of the tribes of Israel.

7. In the closing chapters of 2 Samuel there are recorded a few events that throw some light upon the last days of David's reign. The famine that was sent because of the wrong done by Saul, and the plague that resulted from the numbering of the people by David are significant, as they show how the whole nation was affected by the act of its king. The wrong in having the people numbered seems to have been that David wished to know what he had to rely upon in case of war, thinking his safety depended upon large numbers instead of upon God. David's provision for the temple building is given most fully in Chronicles. If he was not allowed to construct the building itself, he at least left little for his son to do in the way of collecting material. He also gave Solomon full instructions about the manner of the building, repeating what he had received from God. He both gave of his own property and also induced the people to offer willingly.

When Solomon erected the temple he employed skilled workmen from the Phœnicians, but we are not to suppose that these followed their own ideas in constructing the building. The pattern was given by the Lord himself. The total amount of material provided for the temple seems great, especially the precious metals, but there is no good reason for doubting the correctness of the amounts given.

8. The reign of David may be estimated in three ways: First, the results of his rule within the nation itself; there was more perfect unity among the tribes, the people came to be more nearly one than ever before; they had become strong and prosperous; they were more than ordinarily faithful to Jehovah. Second, the relations existing between Israel and its neighbors; all the surrounding peoples that had shown hostility had been subdued; Israel had come to be at the head of all the powers in that part of the country; this supremacy of Israel had been more easy than it might have been owing to the decline of the Assyrian power at this time Third, the religious condition of Israel due to David's influence; at no time was the nation more free from idolatrous practices than during this period; religious matters were of most importance in the estimation of David; before his death he arranged for the worship by classifying the Levites who were to take part in the public temple ser vice. David's personal religious condition is shown most fully in the psalm she wrote.

SUMMARY

1. David anointed as king over Judah. Conflict with Saul's son.

2. All the tribes accept David as king. Jerusalem made capital.

3. David's interest in the worship of Jehovah. The ark brought to Jerusalem. Not permitted to build the temple. Indications of David's character.

4. Enemies of Israel subdued in self-defense. Power of Philistines checked. Conflict with Syrians.

5. David's terrible sin. How we should estimate his character. Effect of this upon the nation. Account omitted from Chronicles. Men of the Bible not given as models.

6. Absalom's revolt and death. Evil tendencies shown in this period. David's probable failures. Popular election. The submissive spirit of David.
7. Famine and plague as punishments. Material for the temple. The pattern for this from God.
8. Estimate of David's reign. Internal condition of Israel. Relations with other peoples. Advancement of religious matters.