GOWNS PULPIT-CHOIR CONFIRMATION BAPTISMAL DOCTORS
south must have passed through the tableland of Jerusalem. But as David approached the city he was met with a sneering reproach. So confident were the Jebusites in the strength of their for tress that they boasted that a garrison of blind and lame men would be suf ficient to defend it. Nevertheless David was able to take the stronghold o f Zion, and he changed its name to “ the city of David” in memory of the victory. The Jebusites continued to live in the lower part of the city, but David became fully established at Jerusalem and under his influence and later that of Solomon the city grew in strength and beauty. The account tells us plainly that David’s victory was because “the Lord God of hosts was with him” (v. 10). King David’s Righteous Reign 2 Sam. 8:13-18 It was a reign of protection (vv. 13, 14). Quite likely, as Kirkpatrick suggests, while David was occupied with his campaign against the Syrians, Ammonites, etc. (v. 12), Edom seized the opportunity for invading the south of Judah, and succeeded in inflicting serious damage, until David repulsed their attack and completely subjugated them. Instead of “ Syrians” evidently Edomites are meant as is seen from verse 14 and as is rendered by the Septuagint. The Valley of Salt was nowhere near Syria but on the border between Judah and Edom. An error in transcription has probably crept in here. It was a reign of justice (v. 15). Evi dently David sought to deal in the
fairest possible way with his people. Notice that the people are referred to as “his people.” He felt an intimate re lationship with them and a solemn re sponsibility toward them. Thus he was fulfilling the word concerning him which the people of Israel uttered at the time of his anointing as king, “ Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel” (5:2 A.R.V.). This is the first time in Scripture that a ruler is likened to a shepherd. It was an organized reign (w . 16-18). David saw to it that his rulership should be “ decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). He put in places of re sponsibility some of the leading men of his day. He selected a good cabinet; thus he divided his responsibilities. He did not try to do everything himself. David, the shepherd boy, had at last become the king of Israel, chosen by God to rule His people. God’s Word says, “ And David went on and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.” Hiram, the king of a neigh boring land, sent carpenters and build ers and building material to build David a beautiful palace. David became the father of many sons and daughters. Be fore David went to battle against his enemies he asked the Lord what was His will. In all of his ruling David tried to please God in all things. David’s ene mies were taken as servants or killed because David prayed about each battle. David commenced to search throughout his kingdom to see if there was any member of Saul’s family left to whom he might show kindness. An old servant of Saul was brought to David. When he was asked if any of Saul’s family was yet alive, the servant told King David that a lame son of Jonathan still lived. David quickly sent for the young man whose name was Mephibosheth. When the crippled man came to the king, he fell upon his face and bowed to David. David told Mephibosheth not to fear any harm, for he was to return to him all the land of his grandfather Saul and to eat at the king’s table the rest of his life. How happy Mephibosheth was for David’s love and kindness to him be cause of his love for Jonathan. Although David was strong, he also remembered to show love and to be kind. David tried to rule his people by love and justice rather than by cruelty and force. Sometimes boys and girls who are given places of leadership soon become proud and hateful and selfish. They want to show off and make others obey them in all things. God says, “ Do that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord.” Those who honor Him in all things will be greatly blessed in what ever they do in His strength. T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S Helps for the Children When David Was King 2 Sam. 5:6-25; 8:1-9:13 Memory Verse: “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of . . . [the Lord] is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him” (2 Sam. 22:31 R.V.).
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