SCRIPTURE: 2 SAMUEL 5
DAVID BECOMES KING OVER ISARAEL (vs. 1-5)(
All the tribes of Israel came to Hebron and pledged their allegiance to David. The elders of Israel anointed David king over Israel. David was 30 years old when he became king and reigned for forty years. He reigned in Judah for 7 years and 6 months and in Jerusalem for 33 years.
DAVID CONQUERS JERUSALEM (vs. 6-16)
David and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites. He captured the fortress of Zion, the city of David and built up the area around it. He became more and more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
Hiram, king of Tyre sent messengers to David along with cedar logs, carpenters and stonemakers and built a palace for David. David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem with more children.
DAVID DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES (vs. 17-25)
The Philistines came to search David by spreading themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired from the Lord and the Lord assured him to go and attack the Philistines. So David defeated the Philistines at Baal Peragim. Again, the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. When David inquired from the Lord, the Lord instructed him not to go straight up but to circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. So David did as the Lord commanded and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.
THOUGHTS:
When all Israel submitted to David, there was unity and peace among them. When believers submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, there won’t be any division nor dissension among God’s people.
David became king of Judah when he was 30 years old. But he had to wait patiently for 7 years before he could become king over all Israel. Sometimes, God also make you wait to prepare you for an important task. The waiting period may help you to strengthen your character.
The Jebusites were Canaanite tribes that occupied the land. They boasted of the security but David entered the city through their water tunnel. They discovered that their walls could not protect them. Don’t ever think that you are secured with a comfortable house and a stable job. No one can predict what will happen tomorrow. Anything in this world is false security. Only in God can we be truly be safe and secured. Our relationship with God is the only security that cannot be taken away.
The pagan nations based their greatness on conquests, power, armies and wealth. But David knew that his greatness came from God. He kept a close relationship with God and served the people according to God’s purpose. In your ambition to be successful, do you seek greatness from God or from people? Remember to keep your ambition under God’s control.
THE SECRET OF DAVID’S SUCCESS:
- He sought God’s advice.
- He followed God’s instructions.
- He gave God the glory.
REASONS FOR FAILURES:
- Do what we want to do without consulting God.
- Ignore God’s word and do things our way.
- Take the glory ourselves or to someone without acknowledging God.