“He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
The Law given to Israel plainly decreed that Israel”s king was to be chosen of the Lord; one who would read and meditate continually in the Divine Law, turning aside neither to the right nor to the left, that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren. Such a king was David.
Our first introduction to David is on the occasion of his anointing, when he was chosen of God to be king over Israel in place of Saul, who had proved himself unworthy. He was qualified for the position of Shepherd of Israel by his experience as a shepherd leading out, bringing in and feeding the flock. His courage had been proved in his protection of the flock from the ravages of lion and bear, endangering his own life for the deliverance of one that was lost.
Above all he showed himself of a meek and contrite spirit, trembling at the word of the Lord. It was the Lord who delivered him from the paw of the lion and bear—the Lord would deliver him also from the hand of the uncircumcised Philistine, that all the earth might share David’s faith that the God of Israel is the living God in contrast to heathen idols which exist only in the minds of their votaries.
These are essential qualities in him whom the Lord chooses to be ruler of His people. Because he demonstrated these qualities David is declared a man after God’s own heart to do His will, and Samuel was instructed, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he”. From that day forward the Spirit of God came mightily on him.
David’s potential as a Mighty Warrior is illustrated in his encounter with Goliath. Because of Israel’s iniquities their enemies were allowed to rise above them, so that during this period there is a constant background of Philistine oppression. On this occasion the armies of Israel and Philistia were drawn up in battle array, on opposite sides of the valley of Elah, about twelve miles from Bethlehem. Each army was in an impregnable position, though neither could advance. Saul”s strategy was purely passive. He had taken a defensive stand preventing any Philistine advance, hoping that they would be forced eventually to return to their own land.
David viewed the matter differently. This was not just a conflict for the possession of the fertile field of Israel. He who provided the harvest would see to its disposal amongst His faithful servants. Retention of the land whilst tolerating blasphemies against the Lord of the Harvest would result in the loss of the true harvest, for man does not live by bread alone. Israel had forgotten this lesson. Better to die now, faithfully upholding His honour, than to perish miserably later for unfaithfulness. Hearing the challenge, David took immediate action. The true shepherd was prepared to lay down his life protecting the flock against the Philistine dogs. Saul, who was the acknowledged Shepherd of Israel, revealed himself as merely a hireling. Encouraged by David’s example, the Israelites pursued the fleeing Philistines, driving them right out of Israel even as far as the gates of the Philistine cities of Gath and Ekron. Thus, through His faithful servant, God wrought a great salvation in Israel.
Returning from the battle, David displayed the head of the Philistine to the Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem, probably as a gesture of defiance to them that the battle is the Lord’s and that they in turn would be driven out. Perhaps in this incident he revealed his understanding that this was the place chosen of the Lord to place His name there: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.” He also deposited Goliath’s armour in the Tabernacle as a further acknowledgement that the battle was indeed the Lord”s.
Recognising David’s military ability, Saul gave him a position in his personal bodyguard, where he quickly rose to the position of armour-bearer. He also became a successful leader in Israel’s army and was enthusiastically welcomed as a popular hero! “Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands.” David’s popularity kindled Saul’s jealousy and he determined to destroy this one whom he suspected might one day wrest the throne from him. He made David a captain in the army, hoping the Philistines would destroy him, but David was preserved from these schemes.
Saul’s insane jealousy manifested itself in several murderous attempts on David’s life, forcing him to flee from home and take refuge with Samuel at Naioth. Being followed there by Saul he fled to Gath, where the Philistine king eyed him with suspicion. Finding no safety here he fled again to a cave in the vicinity of Adullam in the Judean wilderness.
In this wilderness retreat David was brought into contact with many other fugitives from Saul’s wrath, who made him their captain. By sharing in the sufferings of these men he gained a sympathetic insight into the problems of the people over whom he was to be king. Hounded by Saul, he found that only in the Rock of Israel could he trust for strength and help in time of need. Betrayed and forsaken by men we read of him, “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God”.
Thus his sufferings contributed to the development of his character.
David’s exile was brought to a dramatic end by Saul’s death at the hands of the Philistines. Characteristically, he enquired of the Lord and was instructed to return to Judah to the city of Hebron. He was accepted as king by the tribe of Judah, but not for another seven weary years of civil war did the remaining tribes acknowledge him.
David’s first act on becoming king over all Israel is perhaps the greatest revelation of his character. He went straight to Jerusalem and wrested it from the hands of the Jebusites. As a military exploit this must stand out prominently in the annals of warfare. This city had stood defiant like an island fortress in the midst of Israel for over 400 years. In the time of Joshua the men of Judah had taken the outskirts of the city, but were unable to conquer the Jebusites, who had remained there ever since. “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.”
But the real victory lay in his spiritual insight. Was it this that he had in mind so many years before when he had displayed to these Jebusites the head of the Philistine champion: “And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.”
Certainly, we find him at the first opportunity uniting Israel upon the basis of true worship centred on Jerusalem.
Before this mighty hope could be realized, the Philistines again attacked. A divided Israel was no threat Ito them, but with David the warrior king at the head of the armies of a united Israel, having demonstrated his power in the capture of the citadel of Zion, the Philistines knew they had much to fear. Without delay they attacked. But David had not spent his years of exile in Adullam and the surrouding wilderness for nothing. Under divine direction he eluded his enemies and attacked unexpectedly from behind, smiting them with great slaughter right into the heart of their own country.
Their idols were abandoned and destroyed and the fame of David went out into all lands. Having subdued the Philistines, David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with celebrations of great joy such as had not been known during Saul’s reign. David now set about establishing his Empire as the ruling power amongst the nations. In mighty campaigns he reduced the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Ammonites, Amalekites and Edomites, extending his dominion north and east to Zobah, Euphrates and Damascus; east of Jordan to Moab and Ammon; south to Edom and Amalek; and west to Philistia, receiving rich tribute from all these lands, including the valuable iron deposits of Edom.
David’s military conquests and spiritual rejuvenation of the people laid the foundation for Solomon’s reign of peace. Under Solomon the empire rose to its greatest glory, so that the fame thereof and the magnificence of the Temple and all its ceremonial were noised abroad. David had desired to build a house for the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel, but had been forbidden because of his acts of war. It was fitting that this work should be performed by a man of peace. Solomon did so, upon the foundation which his father had laid.
It is not possible for any one man to show forth, even in type, the mighty work to be performed by the all-powerful Son of God, the Prince of Peace. So we look forward today to the coming again of the Son of David, who with almighty power shall crush his enemies, subdue all nations, establish true and lasting peace and unite all nations on the basis of true worship emanating from Jerusalem.
“He shall sit upon the throne of his father David . . .”
“The uttermost part of the earth shall be his possession.”
“All families of the earth shall go up to Jerusalem to worship the king.”
“There shall be abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”
“Then shall the prayers of David the Son of Jesse be ended.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One