Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 5:2
Read 2 Samuel 5:1-5
According to verse 1, who came to David at Hebron?
According to verse 3, what did the elders of Israel do after David made a compact with them?
Don't miss the significance of David's age when he became king. In Israel, 30 years of age was significant for several reasons. According to Numbers 4:3,21 a Levite could begin his service to the Lord as priest or servant at age 30.
Obviously God sees significance in age 30, although we cannot know for certain God's reasons, we can reflect on this general season of a person's life. Why do you think 30 might be a prime time to begin serious ministry?
In 2 Samuel 5:3, we see for the first time a title attributed to David that represents the culmination of God's promise.
According to 2 Samuel 5:2, what did God call David to do in this wonderful affirmation of his commission?
A shepherd and a king have more than a little in common. God chose David in many ways because he was a shepherd. God often referred to Himself as a shepherd and His people as sheep. He also considered every earthly leader over His children to be a shepherd.
Read 1 Peter 5:2-4. In what ways does God continue to draw an analogy to shepherds and sheep in the present age?
We don't have the benefit of David's experience with real sheep, but God no doubt believed David's qualifications as a shepherd would enhance his leadership. We can certainly learn from David's example.
We don't have to be pastor of a church to shepherd a flock.
Virtually all of us are leaders in some capacity whether you are a mother, preschool helper, or a Christian witness in the workplace. Find out what happened after David became king over all Israel
Read 2 Samuel 5:6-25
What attitude did the Jebusites display toward David?
Why did David become 'more and more powerful' (v. 10)
In 2 Samue1 5:12 David knew! Many things must have confused David in his previous 15 years. So many things he did not know:
Why had God chosen him?
Why did Saul turn on him?
Why did Jonathan have to die?
When would God's promise of the kingdom ever be fulfilled?
David did not know how he would ever live to be king. But when God handed over the most fortified city in all Israel to David and placed favor in the heart of the king of Tyre toward him, David knew the Lord had established him.
If we are going through confusing times, we can be encouraged and strengthened by recalling what we know about God in the midst of uncertainties.
David still had many unanswered questions. He would never know for sure why God allowed certain things to happen, but he knew God had done exactly what He promised. You may never know why or how, but you can always know who is faithful.
The last verses of 2 Samuel 5 represent the fulfillment of God's promise to David as stated by Abner in chapter 3..
Strangely David had come so far, yet he was back where he started. The hand that wrapped around his weapon as he waited for God's signal to overcome the Philistines looked far different from the hand that had searched for a smooth stone many years before. The first time he ever used his hands in battle was against the Philistines. Now he stood against them once more. To a man on the run, the Philistines had been a temporary refuge. They had taken advantage of his homeless estate by enjoying his strength. To a king on his rightful throne, they were clearly an enemy once more. Perhaps God inspired David to write the words of Psalm 144:1-2 on this day.
David knew without a doubt that God had given him the victory and subdued the people under his leadership. He still didn't know why. He simply knew who.
The names David called his God fell from the lips of experience, from the things he knew. Sometimes we stand to learn the most about God from the situations we understand the least.
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