THE KINGDOM OF DAVID ESTABLISHED If the previous chapter revealed to us the pure heart of David; Once he set Jerusalem as the capital of his kingdom, he intended to declare that the true king is God; and that every success he may achieve is but a grant from Him; Hence he put in his heart to bring the ark of the covenant, representing the divine presence, to the capital. Yet, because he did not act according to the divine statute concerning the lawful way to carry and to move it, the joyful celebration turned into a funeral for Uzzah who dared to touch the ark of the covenant, and died. Yet, because of the pure heart of David, God established his kingdom, and granted him success, growth, conquest, glory and awe among the nations around him. This success stirred up animosity and hate in the hearts of his enemies. After seeking the counsel of God, he fought against them and prevailed. 1- Hiram, king of Tyre sends workers and building-materials to build David a house 1 - 2 2- David and polygamy 3 - 7 3- The Philistines attack David 8 – 17 1- HIRAM KING OF TYRE SENDS WORKERS AND BUILDINGMATERIALS: “Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house” (1) This shows how David’s kingdom was established in Jerusalem; when a foreign king of the Gentiles, sends him a multitude of gifts. God manifested His grace to David, and granted him favor in the eyes of Hiram king of Tyre, who sent him messengers to seek his friendship, beside sending him masons, and carpenters to build him a house. That was the beginning of a strong friendship that lasted for a long time between David and Hiram king of Tyre, until the days of Solomon. David’s kingdom was great and stretching wide, while Hiram’s kingdom was tiny, compared to that of David. But God, who supported David in all his works, intended to lead him to love with humility. With all the possibilities of David, he could not build a palace for himself without the support of Hiram king of Tyre. That teaches us not to despise those inferior to us in possibilities and authority. For man, however successful he is, and whatever possibilities he may have, needs his neighbor, seeks his support, and gives him thanks for his favors and help, even if they are for a price. No one can live isolated from his neighbor; but whenever he has a chance, he would reveal to his neighbor that he is in need of his support and cooperation; to keep him from having feelings of inferiority. “And David perceived that the Lord had established him as king over Israel. For his kingdom was highly exalted because of his people Israel” (2) Leading his people, caring for them, satisfying their needs, and protecting them, David did not feel that the favor is his; for that is what expected of him, as a good shepherd, who loves the people of God. The first factor was that David’s eyes were concentrated upon God. He counted every success, prosperity, and honor, that dwelt upon him, as divine gifts; not on account of that he was more clever, able, or wise, than anyone else; but rather because God was with him. The second factor was that all what he got of success, glory, and greatness, were granted to him, not to enjoy as a person, but to serve the people of God….. That is how it is befitting of the believer not to be centered around his ego, but to count himself as being called by God for the sake of the happiness, comfort, glory of others, and their eternal salvation. … He who lives for his own sake, disregarding his neighbor, is not worthy of being born. The secret of the greatness and the establishment of the kingdom of David, is not because of his personal charisma, that made all the tribes gather together around him, nor of the others’ love, faithfulness, and zeal for the edification and the growth of the people; but is due to two main factors, which are: 1- What David enjoyed of spiritual growth, exaltation, glory, and joy, are but a gift from God 2- With God’s exalted love for His servant David, He granted him unique privileges, and even promised that his descendants will reign forever. David perceived that all these privileges are for the sake of God’s people, Israel. 3- DAVID AND POLYGAMY: “Then David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David begot more sons and daughters” (3) One of David’s weaknesses was adopting polygamy and having concubines, the customs common among the royal families in the Middle East at that time, and his non- commitment to the divine statute of one wife (Genesis 2: 24).. Some kings used this custom to enter into relationship with the surrounding kings, to have some kind of political peace. This custom, as expected, had often brought forth envy and jealousy in the royal household between the wives and between the children; because of which David entered into a multitude of familial problems, and controversies between his children; He did not have time enough to raise his children in the fear of God; as it happened between Absalom and Amnon; on account of that the later raped the sister of the former, who was also his own sister from his father, and not from his mother. David got bound to wives and concubines, among whom were: 1- Michal daughter of king Saul; She begot no children, probably because she despised David when she saw him dancing before the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6: 14). It so seem that she adopted five of her sister’s children, whom David delivered to the Gibeonites to kill for the sake of Saul’s sins. 2- Ahinoam of Jezreel: She begot Amnon, the firstborn. He raped his halfsister Tamar, whose brother killed him for revenge. 3- Maacha, daughter of king Talmai of Gishur; She begot Absalom, David’s third son, who killed his half-brother Amnon; then lived in a tent on the roof because his father David refused to meet him. He slept with the women of his father, rebelled against him, and was killed in battle against his father’s army. 4- Haggith: She begot Adonijah, David’s fourth son, who declared himself king before his father’s death; but his plot failed. David let him live, but Solomon killed him after being enthroned. 5- Bathsheba (or Bathshua); with whom David sinned, then plotted to have her husband Uriah the Hittite killed to conceal his crime. She begot a son whose name was not known, and died while still a child. Then she begot Solomon who reigned after his father. But unfortunately he married many heathen wives, who drew him to idol-worship. “And these are the names of his children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon” (4) “Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet” (5) “Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia” (6) “Elishama, Beeliada, and Eliphelet” (7) The genealogies of the Lord Christ mentioned only two sons begotten by Bathsheba: The first was Nathan (Luke 3: 31), from whose descendants came St. Mary; and the second was Solomon (Matthew 1: 6), from whose descendants came St. Joseph her betrothed man. 4- THE PHILISTINES ATTACK DAVID: God confirmed to David His support. After Hiram king of Tyre showed him his submission, and appreciation, God granted him conquests over the Philistines, and awe among all nations. “Now when the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David; And David heard of it and went out against them” (8) “Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the valley of Rephaim” (9) While in Hebron, the Philistines did not feel that David represented danger against them; But while in Jerusalem they did, and intended to destroy him. Yet David sought God’s counsel before entering in any battle. “And David inquired of God, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to him, ‘Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand’” (10) The author intended in an indirect way to present to us a comparison between the behavior of Saul and that of David. The former, before his battle against the Philistines in Mount Gilboa, sought the counsel of the medium (10: 3), and not of the Lord (10: 14) Whereas David sought God’s counsel in his battle against them in Baal Perazim. David, before going to war sought the company of God and His counsel. About which the historian Josephus says: [David did not allow himself to do anything without seeking a prophecy and a command from God, and without leaning upon Him. …. We often resort to God, once afflictions and troubles dwell upon us; but David, on the other hand, used to seek God’s counsel before moving. … I wish, seeking God’s counsel, do not come late but early, to avoid a multitude of serious troubles]. + Since he killed Goliath, David never entered into war without seeking God’s counsel; by which he conquered in all his battles, even at the end of his life when he fought against the violent hosts of the philistines. We count the abidance of believers as glorious, by whose great faith “they stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword; and out of weakness were made strong” (Hebrew 11: 33-34). Although they were not supported by a multitude of warriors; yet they acquired their conquests on their own against their deceptive enemies, by the courage of their souls. (St. Ambrose) “So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, ‘God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water’. Therefore they called the name of the place Baal Perazim” (11) “And when they left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned by fire” (12) Resorting to the living God, David got a great conquest on the pagans, and firmly burned their gods by fire, so as not to leave any trace of evil in his life, in that of his brethren, and in the society in which he lived. … It is befitting of us not to leave anything to take the place of God in our hearts or minds. For fear that some of his men might probably admire the little idols made of gold or silver; he therefore, did not give them the chance to keep any of them. He consummated the divine commandment with his whole strength (Deuteronomy 7: 5); contrary to many of the kings of his descendants who followed him and were slothful in destroying the idols. “Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley” (13) Therefore David inquired again from God, and God said to him, ‘You shall not go up after them, circle around them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees” (14) The secret of David’s success and greatness, was that in every new situation, he did not trust in his past experience or his possibilities, but he sought the counsel of God, to spare himself any unforeseen dangers that could probably dwell upon him. It is befitting of us, likewise, with every situation, to consider it a new chance to seek God’s counsel; for He wants us to have a perpetual encounter with Him.. Let the new raid done by the Philistine against David, who sought again the counsel of God, be a lesson to us, to recognize God, to flee to Him in time of tribulations, to resort to Him when we are oppressed, and when we do not know what we should do; to seek His counsel, to put our will under His, and to seek his help fervently to show us the way. “And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines” (15) Let hearing a sound in the tops of the mulberry trees, guides us to hear God’s marching in His divine inspiration, and the impact of His Holy Spirit. “So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer” (16) When the Philistines made a new raid, David again got conquest in another form from God. “Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations” (17) David’s fear came upon all nations, and his fame went out into all lands (16-17). By that, the divine promise was realized, saying: “Therefore the Lord God of Israel says, ‘Far be it from Me, for those who honor Me, I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2: 30). ------------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM 1 CHRONICLES 14 LET YOUR KINGDOM BE ESTABLISHED IN MY DEPTHS, O SON OF DAVID + You set David from shepherding the sheep; To shepherd You people, whom You have chosen for Yourself; You gave him favor in the sight of all the tribes; You granted him success and conquest in every task to which his hand stretched; + You, O Son of David came to our world; To set Your kingdom in the depths of our hearts; To make our hearts, Jerusalem, glittering by Your splendor; And to turn our dust to what is almost like a new heaven; + You gave David favor in the eyes of Hiram king of Tyre; Who sent messengers to him seeking his friendship; And sent to him masons and carpenters to build a house for him; You came down Yourself to me, O King of kings; And sent to me Your Mighty Holy Spirit; Not to build a palace for me, but to set me a temple for You; Come, O the only begotten Son, together with Your Father, and Your Holy Spirit; Come and dwell in me, and proclaim Your kingdom in me. + You granted David children in Hebron, as well as in Jerusalem; And behold, You grant us the spirit of sonhood to the Holy Father; You no longer call us servants, but beloved children; We, who are not worthy to be counted as Your servants; Out of us, Your love set God’s heirs, and heirs together with You; What is our inheritance but Your love and compassion?! + Let the enemy stir up against us, for we would hide in You; You are our refuge, and the stronghold of our life; You are the Leader of our procession, and the Grantor of our conquest; You destroy the devil, and cast him under foot + With every morning, Your image glitters in our life; To restore to us our spiritual beauty, and to take away our corruption; To give us the spirit of strength and authority; To let us be filled with the reflection of Your splendor; And to make our souls exult by Your amazing conquest.
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