PIVOTAL TURNING POINT IN DAVID’S LIFE
Today we note a pivotal turning point in the life of David. We’ve come to the time when Israel comes together to decide David should be their King. This is a pivotal turning point, both in David’s life and in the history of Israel.
David arrives at the moment for which he has been waiting. He has waited since he was a young shepherd boy. God told him he would be King during those early years. He knew he would one day rule Israel. David knew all the way back to the days when he was tending his father’s sheep.
This important pivotal turning point for David and Israel is also a a plan to further The Kingdom of God. A foundation is being laid. From this foundation the world will receive an even greater King. Messiah will come from this royal bloodline of David.
A PIVOTAL TURNING POINT
Are you at a pivotal turning point in your life? Have you ever walked into a position for which you knew you were created? If so, you might have a tiny taste of what David is experiencing. This is always a wonderful moment.
There is a time when the moment of destiny happens to all of us. We suddenly realize this is what God has been preparing for us throughout our whole life. Maybe it is the beginning of a lifelong career, one you studied hard to achieve. Perhaps, for some, it is the moment of their marriage. Maybe, for others, it is the birth of a child. Perhaps your most significant moment comes later in life. It happens when you realize God is steering you in a completely different direction than before.
We always remember these huge, life-changing moments. The world as a whole doesn’t seem to realize the significance, but we know. We know because God reveals them to us. These are times to hold close in our hearts. What could be more hopeful than reaching such a moment? This was THAT moment for David.
Many emotions are going through David’s mind, heart and spirit. His hopes and dreams are huge. The times of rejoicing before the Lord are joyful and great. At the same time, the heavy responsibility of being in charge of God’s special nation is almost overwhelming. David’s trust in the Lord’s guidance is tremendous. He knows he can not achieve any of the ruling of such a kingdom without the help of God.
STEPPING INTO THE PLAN
How will David handle this new part of the plan? Will he rule the nation of Israel in perfection? Can he be a King without a flaw? History has proven over and over again that no man is capable of such a thing. David did some wonderful and amazing things as the King of Israel. He also did some terrible and shameful things.
Regardless of David’s humanity, God chose David. God desired for David to be King. He was God’s anointed before he became Israel’s anointed. No matter how bad David’s mistakes, if he walked with God in humbleness, repentance and turning, God forgave him. Even in imperfections, God continued to bless him. Whenever David consulted with God about Israel’s destiny, God moved the nation in mighty ways.
If Chapter 5 of 2 Samuel explains anything, it is that God choses to bless imperfect humans. In this case the human is David. Today we will only be looking at the great beginning of the reign of Israel’s most historical and greatest King. However, over the course of our next few lessons we will see how human a King named David can be. On the other hand, we will also see how much God loves him. Time will prove how God blesses David in spite of his flaws and mistakes.
WHY WAS DAVID SO BLESSED?
Could this be because David was always quick to repent? Was it because his repentance was honest, raw and genuine? Maybe both things? Was it because in the end he always chose to return to obedience? God allows the bad things we do to show His hand in the good things He allows to transpire later.
Or, was David blessed simply because he carried the genes in his lineage to give us the perfect King. His lineage would bring the One we are always seeking. I wonder.
SAVORING THE MOMENT
So, today we just want to pause for a few moments. We need to let it all sink in. Kingship is a big event. We are about to look at how David’s rule over the whole nation began. First, let’s rejoice with him that the day of destiny has finally arrived. God’s will has prevailed in Israel! It is a great day to savor.
Let’s rest in the peace. This peace always happens when God begins to transform our human world. We’ve followed David for a long time now. This feels like a time to celebrate in a huge way. It is good to enjoy these rare and royal moments.
HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT
Much transpired when David was King of Judah. We’ve seen the kingdom of Saul (from the tribe of Benjamin) dying out. Their former King (Ish-Bosheth) Is murdered. All of their mighty military leaders either committed treason or were punished with death for their criminal actions. Saul’s kingdom is no longer strong. It is weak. The men left in place need to make decisions for the people. They are watching David as he rules over Judah. The leaders see his success. It impresses them.
Many of these elders are aware of the long ago anointing of David from Samuel. There is this memory of how Judah and Benjamin were once the closest of brothers. They remember how David once valiantly led Saul’s armies to victory.
These Benjamites remember how they are the tribe of Israel born to Rachel, the one whom Jacob loved the most. As they ponder their present state they think of their original heritage. They see how God placed David into a place of Kingship. Perhaps this divinely appointed man has the ability to make Israel one nation again. Many long for this to happen.
YOU WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE
The people come together. All the tribes of Israel discuss these things among themselves. Finally, they come to David at Hebron. Here are their words. “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
David made a covenant with the elders of Israel in Hebron. They made the covenant together, before the Lord. Then David was anointed King over all of Israel.
THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
I want to point out how David made a covenant with the elders of Israel. This fact is important. The scriptures of Chapter five do not go into detail about this covenant. Therefore I would like to take a brief little side-trip to discover what this covenant covered. We could write a book on this subject,. For the sake of time, we will be very brief and to the point.
THE GATHERING
The first thing I see is God is gathering. Have you noticed how God is always scattering, then gathering back together? It is a repeated pattern. This pattern has been repeated so many times in the Old Testament. It has become known by many as the 1-2-1 pattern. Until the moment that Israel made this covenant with David, the nation was fragmented and scattered. This covenant would unite the people. It would bring unity to a struggling nation. With this covenant the people of God who were scattered are now being gathered into one place.
2 Samuel 5:2 uses language which implies divine leadership from God. This wording tells us what type of King David is destined to be. These words say; “’Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
THE SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL
The word that stands out in my mind is “shepherd.” It is acknowledged that God made David a shepherd over Israel. The people being gathered will not be left without a leader. What does a shepherd do? He looks after and tends to the sheep.
Saul ruled by tending to himself. His rule was self-focused. With Ish-Bosheth’s rule, the pattern continued. David will bring a different type of rulership. His focus is based upon the welfare of the people, not his own gain.
A shepherd makes sure his flock is well fed, nourished, healthy and healed. He keeps the whole flock together in one place. David has a huge task before him. The brokenness of the nation must be healed. The whole flock must stay together and move in sync with one another. This new focus of Israel must be one. They must be united in bringing about God’s will for the whole nation. The people must stay gathered.
This symbolism of the shepherd pre-figures Jesus as The Good Shepherd. David had this characteristic in common with the Messiah. They both laid down their lives as a servant, though they both held the title of King.
The servant named David began the keeping of this covenant. He began to rule Israel. His rule began by bandaging up their wounds and nurturing them with the healing balm of God’s divine rule. How does all healing begin? With the recognition of the Great Healer, who is God Almighty.
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
The covenant the elders made with David recognized the sovereignty of God over the nation of Israel. This realization and complete understanding was vitally important for their future. Without God’s leadership Israel would fail. This fact had been proven with the kingship of Saul who was chosen by the people instead of God.
When one realizes how critical it was for Israel to be One with God, the Shema comes to mind. The people were accustomed to reciting this prayer on a regular basis daily. It begins “Hear O Israel, The Lord Our God is One.” This was the same prayer Jesus used to answer the scribe asking Jesus to name the greatest commandment. (Mark 12:28-30.) The first mention of this prayer can be found in Deuteronomy 6:4-7. If you are unfamiliar with the Shema, you might enjoy this excellent article published by Crosswalk: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/christians-learn-from-shema-prayer-bible.html,
Thus, the covenant of David and Israel acknowledges it was God’s divinity that anointed David. This time God was choosing the King. The people were simply saying Amen. As it should be. The covenant established this truth. It was a great turning point for the destiny of the nation. Here the nation of Israel seems to be turning from their own ways and seeking God’s ways.
THE MONARCH BEGINS
The Davidic Covenant is the beginning of a new monarch. Once again all tribes became part of one nation walking in unison with one another. David understood the fact that a house divided could not stand. His kingship brings all of the tribes under one umbrella of God’s protection.
We hear this covenant was made “before the Lord.” It wasn’t simply a political contract. This was a sacred covenant with God as witness that David would rule over Israel with God’s guidance. God’s will was placed first above all other things for the Kingdom.
This shows a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. He will establish an eternal kingdom which will be established on justice and righteousness. This is the covenant that the men of Israel are asking of David. Nothing is to be done without justice and righteousness.
The important Davidic Covenant reflects God’s providential hand in history. It establishes a united Israel. This covenant gives identity to the nation of God’s chosen people. It establishes Israel’s relationship with God. The Davidic Covenant reconfirms Israel’s heart to be led only by Godly leaders.
THE SIXTH COVENANT IS ESTABLISHED
David was only 30 years old. He reigned forty years all together. His reign was seven years and six months over Judah, and thirty-three years over all of Israel from Jerusalem.
Over the course of human history, God established seven covenants. These covenants are: The Adamic Covenant, The Noahic Covenant, The Abrahamic Covenant, The Mosaic Covenant, The Aaronic (Priestly) Covenant, The Davidic Covenant, and The New Covenant. Each covenant shows a progression of God’s unfailing love for mankind.
The fact that The Davidic Covenant is the sixth covenant might also be significant. Six is the number of the day mankind was created. Seven is symbolic of the 7th Day when all the creation work of God is completed. Seven implies a time of peace and rest.
The Sixth Covenant, given to David, is symbolic of man’s rule over the earth. Man’s rule at the time of David was imperfect, yet anointed of God. God is using this sixth covenant to establish the foundation for the seventh covenant. The seventh covenant will be that of the New Covenant rule of Jesus Christ as Messiah. The Messiah’s reign over the earth will bring perfection to the government which has been given to mankind. His reign will perfect the reign of David and bring it into completion.
A KINGDOM THAT TRANSCENDS TIME
The Davidic Covenant isn’t just about David. It is about a Kingdom that transcends time. This covenant is a living testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness. David waited a long time for the promises from God to come forth. Now the moment is at hand.
Those living today are also waiting. This part of David’s story reminds us God always keeps His promises. Never give up on that fact. He has something for you to do for the Kingdom. Even in this very chaotic world today, God will come through for His people. He hasn’t forgotten His Covenant with us. Like David, we will see the day that all He has promised is fulfilled.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for establishing a kingdom through David. Thank You that this kingdom gave the bloodline which brought Yeshua. We thank you for helping David establish unity among your people. Please help your people of today to learn to live in love and unity. Send the leaders You desire to lead us. Help us to have the discernment to know and follow Your will for all nations. More than that, help us to overcome the world. Teach us how to progress into the ways of The Kingdom of Heaven. Thank you for Your covenants. They show us Your never-ending love. We know your promises are sure. Amen.