Day 124: King David Rules

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 7-8, and Psalm 27.

I. 2 Samuel 5 recounts how all the tribes and elders of Israel went to Hebron and recognized David as king. He attacks Jerusalem, captures it from the Jebusites, and makes the city his capital. Then Hiram, king of Tyre, sends gifts and workers to build David a palace, essentially allying himself with the new Israelite king. David takes more wives and has more children, among whom is Solomon, who will become important later. He fights two battles with the Philistines after they attacked when they heard he had become king. David sought guidance from God before each battle and was victorious.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

When David becomes the king of Israel, he makes Jerusalem its capital, choosing it as his stronghold... The Philistines, when they learn that David has become king of Israel, want to fight him... In our lives, we should pray for God's guidance whether we should fight a certain battle or not. In Deuteronomy 17:17, the Law says that a king should not have multiple wives "lest his heart turn away." In disobedience to this command of the Lord, David takes many wives and concubines (see 2 Samuel 5:13). As a result, the majority of David's problems will come not from external enemies, but from his own family. (p. 10)

That does seem to be one of David's greatest weaknesses, which will lead to his greatest known sin later with Bathsheba. Not to put it too crudely, he tended to think with his smaller "head" instead of the one between his shoulders. He's not the only one, as even a cursory look at human history shows.

II. 1 Chronicles 7 continues the genealogies of the tribes of Israel, focusing on several northern tribes. These genealogies emphasize God's preservation of His people and identify families that would later inherit land or serve in Israel.

The next chapter gives even more genealogy, this time a more detailed one for the tribe of Benjamin, especially the family of the late King Saul.

III. Psalm 27 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm with elements of a psalm of trust. The speaker has supreme confidence in the Lord, and delights in God's presence in the Temple. However, he has been disowned by family and dogged by enemies making false accusations against him. (p. 851)

That's it for today!