2 SAMUEL 7:12-29 GOD’S COVENANT WITH DAVID Day 14
Saul showed himself unfit to be Israel’s king; David showed a different spirit.
After Saul died in battle against the Philistines, David mourned Saul and Jonathan and urged Israel to mourn for Saul. He did not rejoice in Saul’s death, though this opened the way for him to become king.
“After this David inquired of the LORD” as to what he should do (2 Sam 2:1). This was characteristic of David as he moved to take up the kingship. God told him to go up to Hebron in Judah. The Judeans came to him there and made him their king.
Meanwhile, Abner (Saul’s general) set Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, up as king over the rest of Israel. A civil war followed with the house of Saul growing weaker and David growing stronger. After a falling out between Abner and Ish-bosheth, Abner defected to David, but was treacherously killed by Joab, David’s cousin and commander. David demoted Joab for what he had done and mourned for Abner’s death. “And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people” (2 Sam 3:36).
After this, all Israel came to David to anoint him as their king (2 Sam 5:3). Now that all Israel accepted David, he turned his attention to external enemies, first taking Jerusalem and the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites. He made his home there, not in Hebron (the main city of Judah at that time) nor in Gibeah, where Saul had made his headquarters. Jerusalem, newly claimed by Israel under David, was neutral in the civil war. David did not treat the northern tribes as vanquished enemies but as equals, and won their allegiance.
When the Philistines came against David, he inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?” (2 Sam 5:19). When the Philistines came again, he again inquired, “Shall I go up?” This time the LORD told him to circle behind them and attack their rear, which led to a second, greater victory.
The matter of Uzzah dying for touching the ark affected David. He accepted blame for not inquiring of the LORD about this. He continued only after consulting the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 15:11-15), and had the Levites carry the ark as Moses commanded.
Now, secure in his new capitol, David decided to build a house for the LORD. He informed Nathan, the prophet, of what he intended. Nathan (being a preacher) immediately said go ahead! That night, God spoke to Nathan and sent him to David with another message.
David could not build a temple for God (the reason is in 1 Chronicles 28:3); but God would give David a son who would build a great Temple for Him. Moreover, the LORD said,
I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son…. but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul…. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever. (1 Sam 7:13-16; cf. Luke 2:30-33)
David responded with humility and praise:
Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? ….Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you…. (1 Sam 7:18, 22)