(1) The power of David v.1-16
a. rulership v.1-6
Following the tribal leader's recognition of David's rulership he became the king over all Israel . Words like, "real leader" v.2, "shepherd" v.2, "rule over" v.2, "king" v.3, and "reign" v.4,5. repeated throughout this passage.
b. building of fortress v.6-10
米羅 or Millo (ESV) v.9 is translated as terrace.
(NAC) The Hebrew term translates literally as “the filling” (NIV, “supporting terraces”) and suggests that part of David’s project included bringing dirt and rock to the hilltop and depositing these inside massive cliffside retaining walls in order to create a larger, more level surface on which Jerusalem could be constructed.
c. international relationship v.11-16
People from the king of Tyre built a palace for David v.11
(NAC) One measure of David’s growing reputation is the fact that a regional monarch, “Hiram king of Tyre, sent” an ambassadorial delegation (Hb. malʾākîm) to David at Jerusalem (v. 11).
David married more concubines and wives v.13
David married more concubines and wives v.13
(ZIBBC) It was common practice among powerful kings in the ancient Near East to multiply wives and children; the biblical narrator withholds judgment for the time being on David’s “royal” behavior. But in the light of the instruction in Deuteronomy 17 to future kings of Israel—that they “must not take many
Both the author of the book and David himself draw the same reason for his growing power:
5:10 David’s power grew steadily, for the LORD God who commands armies was with him.
5:12 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
Reflection: Since David was a young man until the age of 30 David's life was in a constant danger. Finally, he gained power and succeeded in every area. It revealed that the God who was with him was the LORD God who commands armies. He was just the humble vessel that was established by the LORD. And, the reason for his success was for the sake of "his" people-the people of God.
Do other people see Who God is through us? What kind of God do they see through us? Is He kind, loving, and righteous?
Do we give glory to God when we are well established? Or we claim the credit to ourselves?
Do you see why God gives you success? How can your success help His people or the church?
(2) Challenge from the Philistines v.17-25
David believed that the LORD would indeed hand over the Philistines over to him v.19 and therefore he marched against them.
v.20 “The LORD has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.”
The second victory over the Philistine was more miraculous,
5:24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the LORD is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.”
5:25 David did just as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines from Gibeon all the way to Gezer.
In other words, the LORD struck down the Philistines first and then David finished the job. No one will have any doubt that the LORD was with him.
Reflection: Defending your own people is the role of a king. Thank God that He is our High King in Heaven and He is able to defeat all the enemies. No one can challenge His authority.
Audrey
2024
v.1-12
B:
1. The tribes described David as the the real leader in Israel, (NET) Heb “you were the one leading out and the one leading in Israel.” And they said the LORD said about him as the shepherd and the ruler over Israel. v.2.
3b King David made an agreement with them in Hebron before the LORD. They designated David as king over Israel.
If that was the ideal relationship btw the ruler and the people in God's model, then the king was made king under God's planning, but with the agreement/covenant with the people. The king would lead, protect, and ruler over the people.
R: Pray for our new president that he will keep such a relationship with God and men.
2. Jerusalem was the center of David's rulership v.5, but it was not easy to capture. Jebusites were confident that they would not be invade.
6b The Jebusites said to David, “You cannot invade this place! Even the blind and the lame will turn you back, saying, ‘David cannot invade this place!’ ”
Therefore, when David took over that place, the Scriptures concluded that,
10 David’s power grew steadily, for the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
Note here that the LORD's presence was the explanation from the author's eye of why David was so powerful.
3. 11b They built a palace for David. 12 David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that he had elevated his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
When the palace was built with the help of the workers sent by King Hiram of Tyre, David himself realized that the LORD had established him as king. There were probably no doubt in David's mind previously, but now he saw it materialized.
Second, he realized that the LORD had elevated not only him, but also his kingdom (over other nations) when the foreign came and built the palace for him.
R: Material success should not be seen just negatively. It materialized the blessings of God.
v.13-25
B:
When David defeated the P he said the LORD had done that. Why?
20 So David marched against Baal Perazim and defeated them there. Then he said, “The LORD has burst out against my enemies like water bursts out.” So he called the name of that place Baal Perazim. (NET) tn The name means “Lord of the outbursts.”
1. It was because David asked for help from God and He promised to do that. When things turned out the way he said then David knew it was God's work.
v.19 So David asked the LORD, “Should I march up against the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD said to David, “March up, for I will indeed hand the Philistines over to you.”
In other words, before the crisis came David asked God for help and He promised that, then when the outcome is exactly as what He said David knew that it was God's work.
2. It was because God told David the exact strategy how to fight. When David followed God's way and the enemy is defeated then David knew it was God's work.
23 So David asked the LORD what he should do. This time the LORD said to him, “Don’t march straight up. Instead, circle around behind them and come against them opposite the trees.
3. David heard the sound of God going before him to strike down the P. He knew it was God's work.
24 When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, act decisively. For at that moment the LORD is going before you to strike down the army of the Philistines
R: On one hand God helped David, but David also needed to do the work. Do not complain of the business or difficulties of ministries.
David must be joyful when the things happened just as what God had promised him. This is the kind of joy I will like, too.
Follow God's strategy and hearing the voice of God going before him was an intimate experience of David. He involved in our lives. He let us to see how His wisdom plan unfolds and wants to follow Him more. How do I experience this??
O:
1. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the real leader in Israel; The LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel; you will rule over Israel.’ ”
They did not believe what they said here.
2. I may complain the work load of ministries even I know it is God's will for me to do. It is out of my sinful nature of laziness.
3. The despised on David's strength
4. by going through the water tunnel
5. v.10 for the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him
v.11 the LORD had established him as king, and had elevated his kingdom
v.20 He inquired God whether he went up for battle, how to fight, and did just as the LORD commanded him.
6. Experience the greatness of God
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