Reading For Monday 2 Samuel 2:1-4; 5:1-10
After David had been anointed at Bethlehem, he made no effort to seize the throne by force. He patiently waited for the prophecy of Samuel to be fulfilled because he trusted God. Finally, the elders of the tribes came to Hebron after the death of Ish-bosheth, and they acknowledged that they were David’s family, David had been their military leader, and God had promised David that he would be the ruler of Israel. David made a covenant with them, and the elders responded by anointing David to be king of Israel. David was thirty when he became king.
Perhaps as a result of the covenant with the elders, David’s first order of business was to establish a new capital for the united nation. Jerusalem, which was strategically situated on the border of Judah and Benjamin, was selected. The fortress of this city was still occupied by Jebusites. They were so confident of the impregnability of their city that they boasted that even blind and lame men could defend the place against David. David challenged his men to capture Zion, explained that the way into the fortress was through the water tunnel, and proclaimed that whoever struck down a Jebusite first would be commander of the entire army. Joab was the first to scale the vertical water tunnel and enter Jerusalem and became commanding officer of the military. Once the city was secure, David took up residence in the stronghold, and because the place had been conquered by David’s men and David resided there, the place was called, “the city of David.” Jerusalem’s fortifications were repaired and extended and after establishing his new capital David became greater and greater because God was with him.
Thing To Consider:
- How had David's patience paid off?
- How had David's limited leadership roles brought him to this place of highest leadership?
- How are faith and obedience related?
- Why must our every accomplishment be tempered with humility?
- How do we measure what makes someone great?