DAVID'S HOUSE ESTABLISHED: 2 SAMUEL 6:16-7:17

 David & Michal

6:16-23

There are always some people, even religious people, who completely miss the blessing of an event because they focus on the wrong things. While others are caught up in joy, those people are trapped in disapproval.

 

So it happened with David and Michal. David was overjoyed to bring the ark to Jerusalem. He worshipped God intently. He danced, whirling and leaping. He offered extravagant sacrifices, both burnt offerings and peace offerings. 

The burnt offering turns away (propitiates) God’s wrath for sin. (Leviticus 1:4)

The peace offering was a voluntary offering given either for thanksgiving, upon the payment of a vow, or as a free expression of the worshiper’s love for God. (Leviticus 7:11–18)

When it was done, he extravagantly fed all of the people, giving each one bread, meat, and cake. He served God and he served his people.

Michal, on the other hand, was more concerned with appearances than with worship or celebration. She had seen David dancing and wearing the ephod. She greeted him with sarcastic criticism. She said he dishonored himself, especially by dancing in the ephod and not wearing his royal attire. 

But David was undeterred! He said God chose him to lead Israel (and rejected Saul’s house, of which Michal was a part) and he would make merry before the LORD. Not only that, he would not cater to her need for royal dignity, but was do more things she would find contemptible. 

But, he said, those servants she thought saw him debased, would hold him in honor. They would see his love for the Lord and his service to Israel and would honor him for the very things Michal despised. He would not act like he was better than the common people. 

The writer added that Michal never had a child. It is a short statement, but it appears to imply that God judged her for her contempt of God’s anointed one. 

So we see David here as devoted to the Lord and the House of Saul spiritually bankrupt.  

David’s Desire

7:1-3

With this passage, we move forward an unspecified amount of time. David has finished building his house and lives in it. His enemies are subdued and he lives in peace. 

Having time to contemplate things, David decided that it was not right for him to live in a luxurious house while the ark resides in a tent. He discussed it with Nathan the prophet. Nathan spoke “off the cuff” and tells David to do whatever he wants, because the Lord was with him. 

It was a reasonable thought. After all, David was God’s man and had God’s favor. But, God had other plans.

The Lord Speaks To Nathan

7:4-7

That night God spoke to Nathan. And he told Nathan what to tell David. 

First, God said he had dwelt in the tent (tabernacle) for a long time as it moved from place to place during the time of the Exodus and the judges. He never commanded any of them to build him a house. 

And, as the martyr Stephen pointed out, God does not need a house and is not constrained by it. He pointed out that “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands”. (Acts 7:48) He cited Isaiah 66:1-2, quoting God as saying: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?” 

God seems to be saying, if I needed or wanted a house, I would make one.

What God Has Done For David

7:8-9

Now, as opposed to what David wants to do for God, God says what he has already done for David. He elevated him from the pasture to the throne. H had also been with David every step of the way and had defeated David’s enemies. 

What God Will Do For David

7:10-17

Again, as opposed to what David wants to do for God, God now tells David what he will do for him. 

First, he will make David’s name as a great as the great ones of history. 

Second, he will plant Israel and give them peace. 

Third, God will establish the kingdom of David’s son. And that son will build the house for God. Though God will discipline him if he sins, he will not withdraw his steadfast love from David’s line. 

Fourth, instead of David building God a house (meaning a structure), God will build David a house (a dynasty). It is a nice play on the word house. God will establish David’s throne forever. 

Nathan relayed all of God’s words to David. Notice that God kept the offices separate. David was king, but not a prophet. God spoke to David through the prophet, who was Nathan. 

Thus, we have the Davidic Covenant, God’s covenant with David. 

So, let’s think about redemptive history a little. 

God made a covenant with Abraham that he would bless all nations through him and his descendants. (Genesis 121:1-3) 

Then he spoke through Jacob to show us that the offspring of Abraham that would bless the nations would come through the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:8-10) Now God has further narrowed the prophesy to show that savior will be a descendant of David. 

The Jews clung to that promise, looking for a messiah would be a descendant of David and fulfill the promises of God.

That descendant is Jesus. Matthew began his gospel by tracing the lineage of Jesus back to David, calling Jesus the son of David, referring back to the covenant language of God. (Matthew 1:1) 

The angel Gabriel told Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of his father David and he will reign forever and of his kingdom there will be no end, again referring back to the covenant language. (Luke 1:26-33)

God kept his word!

DAVID, THE PHILISTINES & THE ARK: 2 SAMUEL 5:17- 6:15 & 1 CHRONICLES 14

 David And The Philistines, Round 1

5:17-25; 1 Chronicles 14:8-12

In David’s ascension, he came to the attention of the Philistines. He was no longer a warlord under their protection. He was not just a tribal leader. He was now king of the nation that was their enemy. And as that king, he had conquered Jebus, an old city state, and made it his capitol. 

So, the Philistines came for him. David got word they were coming and went down to a stronghold. We are not told where this is. We know that David stayed in several strongholds while Saul pursued him. But, Jerusalem was also referred to as the Stronghold of Zion. He may have been there, because the Philistines gathered in the Valley of Rephaim, which is west of Jerusalem. 

David again inquired of God whether he should engage them in battle and if God would give him victory. (10) God told him yes to both questions. So, David engaged the Philistines in battle and won. He said “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a bursting flood”. (11) As a result, they named the site of the battle “Baal-perazim”, which means lord of bursting through. 

The word “baal” means “lord”. Sometimes it is used a a proper noun as the name of a Canaanite deity. But it can be used simply as lord, but in reference to God. 

Then we have a small piece of irony. In an earlier battle, the Israelites brought the Ark of the Covenant to battle and the Philistines had taken the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites and placed it in their pagan temple. Here, the Philistines took their idols to battle and abandoned them when they fled. The Israelites took them and burned them. (1 Chronicles 14:12)

David & The Philistines, Round 2

5:22-25

The Philistines were done yet, though. They regathered in the valley to attack Israel. Maybe they wanted their idols back. 

David again inquired of the LORD. He was told not to go straight at them, but to circle around and attack the rear of the Philistine army. In fact, he was to wait until he heard the sound of marching in the top of the balsam trees, then attack, for the LORD had gone before him. 

So, David did as instructed. He routed the Philistines and struck them down all the way to Gezer. That was close to the Philistine border, so David may have stopped there to avoid actually taking his army into Philistia. 

David Attempts To Retrieve The Ark

6:1-4

Next on David’s agenda is to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He wants Jerusalem to be the center of all things, the center of political power and the center of worship.

David made this a very big deal. He chose 30,000 men from the different tribes of Israel to go with them. They went to retrieve the Ark from Baale-judah, which was previously known as Keriath-jearim. It was about 10 miles from Jerusalem. “Baale-judah” means “Lord of Judah”. It was likely renamed after the ark was taken there.

1 Samuel 4-7 tells the story of the Philistines defeating the Israelites in battle. As the Israelites realized they were losing, the brought the Ark from Shiloh, believing the the Ark would save them. It did not. And the Philistines captured the ark and took it to their pagan temple. It symbolized the victory of their god over Israel’s God. 

However, that did not go well, so they returned it to Israel, taking it to Keriath-jearim. It stayed there about many years. 

So, David had a new cart made. He loaded the ark in it, and had the two sons of Abinadab drive it. Evidently, he did this because this is how the Philistines moved it to Israel. 

That all sounds good until you go back to the Lord’s instructions regarding the transportation of the ark. Those instructions were very specific. On each of the four feet of the ark was placed ring made of gold. Two poles made of acacia wood and covered with gold were put through the rings for carrying. The poles were never to be removed. (Exodus 25:12-15; 37:1-9)

The Levites were charged with the care of the Tabernacle. A sub-tribe, the Kohathites were to guard it and take care of the furnishings. To move the ark, it was covered with goatskins, then blue cloth. Only the Kohathites were to move the ark. They were to carry it with the poles. They were not to touch it. If they did, they would die. (numbers 3-4)

The Death of Huzzah

6:5-11

So the procession began. The people sang and played instruments. It was a big celebration. But, then, tragedy struck. One of the oxen stumbled, the ark teetered, and Uzzah put his hand on the ark to steady it. The LORD was angry and struck him dead. 

This made David angry and scared. He stopped the process and put the ark in a man’s home. 

Why did this happen? After all, the man was only trying to help. And David was only trying to help. This event tells us two things.

First, when God says to do something a certain way, he means do it that way and that way only. Although all of this was done with good intentions, it was not done according to God’s commands. 

This is an important concept. Sometimes, people will justify their actions by saying the Bible does not specifically say we cannot do it that way. But, if God has told us how to do it, it does mean do it only that way. If you do not believe this, read about the “strange fire” episode. (Leviticus10)

Here is what God says: “You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32). 

Also, “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, the you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God the I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2) 

Second, God takes his holiness seriously. He said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.” (Leviticus 10:3)

David should have know these things. Either he did not or he ignored them. He could also have consulted the Levites. It makes you think the Israelites had given up on the tabernacle in the absence of the ark. 

David Finally Retrieves The Ark

6:12-15

After hearing that the Lord blessed the family in whose house the ark was left, David went to get it. Evidently, this time he did it correctly. Verse 13 refers to “those who bore the ark”. They were probably the Kohathites.

With much fanfare and rejoicing, the ark was brought to Jerusalem. David led the way, dancing with al his might while waring a linen ephod like a priest would wear. Young Samuel wore one when he ministered at the tabernacle. (1 Samuel 2:18) 

So, the ark came to Jerusalem. But, the tabernacle was not there and the ark was not placed in the tabernacle. 

“If we have any humanity in us, seeing men going to perdition, …ought we not be moved by pity, to rescue the poor souls from hell, and teach them the way of salvation? (from sermon 196 on Deut. 33:18-19;)

…nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than that deadness which would lead a man to disregard his brethren, and to keep the light of knowledge choked up within his own breast. (from commentary on Is. 2:3;)

When we know God to be our Father, should we not desire that he be known as such by all? And if we do not have this passion, that all creatures do him homage, is it not a sign that his glory means little to us? (from sermon 196 on Deut. 33:18-19; taken from Ref 21 article)

Since we do not know who belongs to the number of the predestined and who does not, it befits us so to feel as to wish that all be saved. So it will come about that, whoever we come across, we shall study to make him a sharer of peace . . . even severe rebuke will be administered like medicine, lest they should perish or cause others to perish. But it will be for God to make it effective in those whom He foreknew and predestined. 

DAVID TAKES JERUSALEM (AND MORE WIVES): 2 SAMUEL 5:6-16

 

David Takes Jerusalem

5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9

2 Samuel 5 contains several stories of David’s life after he became king. They may not be in chronological order. 

The first story is a short rendition of David conquering Jerusalem and defeating the Jebusites that lived there. 

The Jebusites were Canaanites, descendants of Noah’s Grandson, Caanan. (Genesis 10:15-16)

Noah

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Ham

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Canaan

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Jebusites

Jerusalem was an old city. It is believed to have been the “Salem” of Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18) Psalm 76:2 says "God’s abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion”. 

The Jebusites took over the city around 1850 B.C. They built a wall around it and named the city Jebus.  It became a city state. It was influenced by Egypt and its leaders corresponded with Egyptian leaders. It is mentioned in some Egyptian texts that still exist.  

The Israelites had never driven the Jebusites out of the land as they were supposed to. Joshua 15:63 says the the people of Judah could not drive them out. The city was built on a mountain and was fortified by a wall. It was sometimes called the Fortress of Zion. The steepness of the hill and the strength of the wall had protected the people. Eventually, the Israelites left them alone.

However, David wanted the city for his capitol. It was a good political choice. The northern tribes would not have accepted Hebron as the capital. It was too far south and right in the middle of the territory of Judah.

Jerusalem was further north. It also had at times been considered to be in the territory of Benjamin. But, in reality, it did not belong to anyone in Israel because the Jebusites held it. 

So, David and his men went there to attack it. The Jebusites were confident their city could not be taken. They taunted David, saying he could not come in. They said even the blind and lame would defeat David. 

The city did have a weakness, however. There was a shaft that brought water from a spring into the city. 

David gave his men a challenge. Whoever was the first of the army to go up the water shaft and attack would become chief and commander of the army. Joab answered the challenge and went first. So, he became commander of the army of Israel. 

After conquering the stronghold, David moved in and made it his city. It was called the City of David. Joab repaired the damage caused by the attack. He built terraces on the slope to level it for houses and other buildings.  

David became greater and greater because the LORD was with him. 

Tyre Sends Gifts To David

5:11-12; 1 Chronicles 11:1-2

Hiram, who was king of Tyre, sent gifts to David to help him build a grand house. He sent cedar trees, carpenters, and stone masons. This is a foreign government acknowledging the new king and trying to obtain favor with its new king. So David knew the LORD established him as king and exalted his kingdom. 

But the exaltation was not for David’s benefit. It was for the benefit of the people of Israel, God’s people. David’s purpose was to take care of the people and lead them in obedience to God. 

It is the same with leaders in the church. They are not raised to leadership for their personal exaltation, but to take care of (shepherd) the people and lead them in obedience to God. 

David Collects Women and Children

5:13-16; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9

Once settled in Jerusalem, David began to collect wives and concubines. That was a customary thing for kings to do at the time. Deuteronomy 17:15-17 instructed kings not to take many wives. Certainly pagan wives could turn the king away from God to idols. 

These multiple wives produced multiple children for David. They are listed in verses14-16. Some of these may have been “treaty wives” who were the daughters of kings in other countries. The theory is a king would not attack a country if his daughter lived there as a wife of the king. 

 So David is acting as a king would, according to the standards of the world around him. Having many wives would show his wealth and success. Having many children would demonstrate his strength.

But, it is not what the Lord commanded. In this matter, David has succumbed to culture over command. It is the first stain on his reign. 

Now, back to the Jebusites! David’s defeat of the Jebusites fulfills another promise of God. God promised the territory of the Jebusites to Abraham. Read Genesis 14:18-21. It has been about 800 years, but God kept his promise and his word was proven true!