The people in the kingdom of Israel saw David’s actions of caring for Ishbosheth’s remains and the punishment of the captains that killed him as honorable. Because of this, David earns yet more of their loyalty. These acts were in a series of bold actions that were godly and in alignment with what is best for God’s people. Because of this, the people come to David and anoint him as king in verses 1 – 3:
“Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel.”
David had been reigning as king in Judah only, and this had been going on for the past seven years. Prior to this, we should remember that as a young man, David had been anointed as the future king of Israel in I Samuel 16 by the prophet Samuel. Even though David did not officially become king until this many years later, the scripture says that “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.” David, as God’s anointed king of Israel, was to reign as a righteous king, but still a man with faults. The arc of his forty-year kingship demonstrates this and underscores the idea that God was showing the people that they did not need an earthly king; they need only serve the one true and living God.
One of the first things David did as king was to complete God’s request to remove the native people from the land and he went with the Jebusites first in Jerusalem. The Jebusites were in a strategic location for a siege, as they had a water source as well as mountainous boundaries to defend. Because of this, the Jebusites taunted David, saying, “the lame and the blind will repel you.” David, having cunning skills as a warrior, was able to defeat the Jebusites. After this, David stayed in Jerusalem and Hiram king of Tyre had a house built for David there.
David took more concubines and wives at this time. David’s additional wives reflect the custom of the time for kings to marry daughters of other participants in treaties. Concubines were also a sign of the times, the size of a harem often reflecting the prestige of the king. We should recall Deuteronomy 17:17 if we attempt to look favorably at David’s exploits here: “Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.” We can count these indiscretions among David’s faults. Again, as an earthly king, David was the best, but he would never be perfect. That was to be for the Christ yet to come.
The philistines hear of David’s kingship and they seek to defeat him. Two battles follow. In the first, David seeks God’s guidance on whether or not he should proceed to fight the Philistines. God advises David to proceed and David and his army defeat them and take their idols in the process. We know from elsewhere in the Word of God that David would burn these idols (I Chronicles 14:12).
But the Philistines were not done and they went into the Valley of Rephaim as a threat once more. Again, David inquires of God what he should do and God instructs David to wait until “you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees.” At that point, David attacked and he and the Israelite army was victorious over the Philistines once more.
We can see from this chapter that God intended David to have been king since the first anointing he had as a young man. Saul was chosen by God to be Israel’s first king and he failed in a very public and embarrassing way. David, as the counterpoint, behaved with respect, righteousness, and in good faith at every stage as he inched closer to the throne. Now that David has made it to the kingship, he does not let his meager pride overtake him. Instead, he takes Jerusalem, expelling the Jebusites. He then responds in an exemplary manner to the threat of the Philistines by seeking and following the counsel of God. David, although imperfect, provides a shining example of how a leader not only acts decisively but also seeks God’s help when the path and footing ahead are unclear.
Monday Night Bible Study 