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In I Samuel we learned that the Spirit
of God was on David, but the Spirit would never override
David's free-will.
David had a deep respect for God's appointed
leaders (good or bad)...and a sensitive heart. He mourns for his
king (Saul) and his friend (Jonathan).
God told David to make his home in Hebron (Judah). The
people of Judah made him their king, but there was trouble
between the families of Saul and David. David's house became
stronger, while Saul's house became weaker.
Saul's son Ish-bosheth was made king over Israel, but
he was a weak, foolish man. When Ish-bosheth was murdered, David was
anointed king over Judah and Israel. This is
historically called the United King, but we find they are far from
united.
David captured Jerusalem and it became the
capital city. One of the first things he did was bring the Ark of
God to Jerusalem. David was a good and just king,
and showed kindness to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth.
The enemies of God misjudged David's strength and paid
the price. But, one Spring when kings traditionally went out to war,
David stayed home. The events surrounding Bathsheba
changed the rest of David's life. Calamities would plague
him.
When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin
with Bathsheba, he repented...and, the calamities on the house of
David began.
The son of David and Bathsheba died.
Another son raped his sister and was killed by another
brother.
David's son Absalom rebelled against him and was
killed.
David almost loses his army.
Sheba rebelled against David.
There was famine in the land.
The Philistines just kept coming.
Adonijah, another son of David's conspires to be king.
We are not told why, but the anger of God burned
against the people, and God incited David to count the people. But,
David did a foolish thing and counting the fighting men instead of
the people. Because of this, a plague came on Israel and 70,000
died.
David's song of delivery from his enemies gives
us insight into a "Man after God's own heart".
When David is old, Adonijah (another son) conspires to
become king. The problem was that Solomon was supposed to be the
king after David. Another part of David's life ends tragically.
Solomon is anointed king.
David cannot build the temple of God, but he makes
plans for the temple. |