Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, "Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel." So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
The king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, even the blind and the lame will turn you back" — thinking, "David cannot come in here." Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David. David had said on that day, "Whoever would strike down the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack the lame and the blind, those whom David hates." Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house." David occupied the stronghold, and named it the city of David. David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.
King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar trees, and carpenters and masons who built David a house. David then perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
2 Samuel 5:1-12 – NRSV
After so many years of difficulty, this course of events had to be so affirming to David. First, the civil war ends when the people of Israel come and say, “We are your people. We have always loved you and always longed to have been your people.” This is more than polite politics; remember that the people so loved David, and so sang his praises that it drove Saul insane with jealousy. Literally.
Peace is confirmed with covenant. King David, both people and scriptures call him. That respect had to compensate in some real ways for the years of disrespect spent in the wilderness. Now David is anointed by God and anointed by all of his people to lead.
And lead he does. He attacks a gentile stronghold set in the central highlands of his country, a city that had resisted capture since the days of Joshua, and claims it for his own. Even today, people call Jerusalem the “city of David.” God confirms David’s leadership with victory, victory unparalleled in many years of Israel’s history.
Then there is the palace. King Hiram wishes for peace with his neighbor, this new and aggressive young king. So, as a proactive gesture of goodwill, Hiram helps David feel like a king. The palace is good. Life is good. Being king is good.
Then comes the most interesting statement: “David then perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.” David well understands, as do we, that he is king. From that fact, he makes the most extraordinary leap of logic: God did this for his people.
Somehow David understands that “it’s not all about David.” God doesn’t decide one day that David has won the royal lottery; God has deeper purpose. The people have asked for a king (1 Sam 8), and even though the first king was not an unqualified success, God gives the experiment another chance. God makes David king for the sake of the people.
The people hope for safety. The people seek some unifying symbol, some mark of God’s presence with them. The people need a leader who understands this nation’s unique relationship with one, and only one, God. For the people, David becomes king.
Just as God uniquely gifted and prepared David for his time and place, so, I believe, God has uniquely gifted and prepared us for our time and place in his kingdom. Here’s the good news: it’s not all about us either. We have a king, the son of David, but better than David. The good news is about that king, Immanuel, “God is with us.”
Just as David respected all whom God chose to anoint, so ought we. Just as David respected his gift and calling so ought we. Will what we perceive to be our calling always be consistent with how others perceive their calling? Probably not. When that happens, we have to live in the tension of the moment. We do that through an abiding trust in the providence and purpose of God. God will take care of his people. So ought we.
May God give us the strength and wisdom to make it so.
Blessings,
Ron
