July 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
449
hand of God he was guided from the sheepfold with a shepherd’s staff, to the seat of a sovereign with scepter in hand. (1-b) THE CITY OF .DAVID, vs. 6-12, “Nevertheless David took **** the stronghold of Zion” v. 7. The first recorded act of David, after his anointing as king over all Israel and Judah, was one of provision for the future stability of the kingdom. The Jebusites occupied the strategic position essential for Israel’s future welfare. In the long list of cities taken by the tribe of Judah and described in the 15th chapter of Joshua, there is one ex ception (15:63). “As tor the Jebusites,' the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, the chil dren of Judah eonld not drive them out; hut the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.” The site of the city is spectacular; in the heart of the country, separated from the great roads which communi cated with the East, on a table-land clustered with hills, it was the stronghold on the border line between Judah and Benjamin, belonging to both parts of the United Kingdom. God had promised that Israel should possess it (Deut. 12:5) “But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither shalt thou come.” The Jebusites taunted David by saying that their lame and blind were more than a match for his warriors, but by following the tunnels which had been built Joab succeeded in securing an entrance and the city was taken (1 Chron. 11:5, 6). David then named it “ The City of David” and made extensive improvements in the strengthening of it against any enemy that might arise, and this was the in troduction of a new era in the life of Israel. (1-c) THE CONQUERED ENEMY, vs. 17-25. “ And David smote the Philistines” v. 25. David’s victory over the Jebusites aroused the Philis tines who had been friendly with him so long as Saul was at enmity with him. But now he has become a menace. His position is perilous to their best interests and they imme diately gathered their forces at the borders for a fray. David proceeded prudently. He inquired of the Lord, “ Shall I go up against the Philistines” ? Wise David! Suc cess has not separated him from the Lord nor has it spoiled his sense of dependence upon Him. He was not dismayed nor afraid as was Saul under like circumstances (1 Sam. 17:11). “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philis tine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” The enemies of God are never silent, nor are they at rest. We know this. We need to know God’s will and God’s purpose and approach them as provided in God’s law of warfare (Deut. 20:3) “And It shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies; let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; for the Lord your God Is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” David had his answer from the Lord, “ Go up” ---not “ give up.” When we are in God’s will, the battle is His not ours, and we are to give Him the glory. David smote the Philistines from Geba to Gazer. The order of proceeding for God’s soldiers is plain: Look to God for orders. Listen to His command. Lean by faith upon His promise. Let your eyes be upon your Leader. Loiter not by the way. Lay at His feet the tro phies. Remember, the conflict is His; the contest is for Him; the consequences are with Him; the congratulations are to Him. (2-a) SEEKING THE ARK, 6:1-6 “ And David arose *** to bring up from thence the ark of God” v. 2. David was conscious that the time had come when Israel gathered the chosen leaders— thirty thousand— and with
should restore the ark to its place in their midst, and so this great army marched to the house of Abinadab, in Gib- eah, where it had rested. The ark had been in the possession of the Philistines (1 Samuel 4). They had been cursed by its presence and had sent it away. The men of Bethshemesh had been cursed for looking into it, and the men of Kirjath-jearim had taken it to the house of Abinadab, where it had rested. In the judgments imposed upon those who trifled with the ark, Jehovah manifested His own majesty. The ark was His abiding-place. His honor and glory must be maintained. Men trifle with God and with His laws at their peril. The Philistines were not under the Mosaic law. Israel was. (2-b) THE STARTLING JUDGMENT, vs. 7-11. “ The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah” v. 7. Uzzah'put his hand upon the ark which was shaken by the movement of the oxen. God smote him and he died. God is jealous of His glory. He must teach men and na tions. Violations of His law must be met with the outpour ing of His wrath. He is long-suffering, but there are oc casions when His wrath is immediate. God would teach men lessons through His judgments (Heb. 10:31). God is love, but God is also holy, and will manifest His wrath against those who trifle with His holy person (Heb. 12:29). “For our God is a consuming: fire.” God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Let all of those who trifle with the person of Jesus Christ beware! He is God manifest in the flesh and in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (2-c) SETTING THE ARK IN ITS PLACE, vs. 12-23. “ And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place” v. 17. The judgment upon Uzzah delayed the moving of the ark to Jerusalem for a season, but the story of God’s blessing upon the household of Obed-edom, the Gittite, moved the heart and conscience of David and he procteded to carry out the original plan, and with much ceremony, sacrifices and dancing, the voice of the trumpet and shouts of the people, it was placed in the tabernacle which had .been prepared by David, and burnt offerings and peace offerings were made. What a feast of joy it must have been for Israel! God at home with His people! David, the chosen of God, as king! The city of David— Jerusalem— the center of the kingdom! How the heart of any child of God should fill with joy at the promised prospect that some good, glad day Christ will be here; we with Him; Jerusalem the center of His operations for the world and the universe! Topics for Study (1) Was the crowning of David as king over all Israel the culmination of God’s plan and purpose for him? (1 Sam. 16:1). (2) Was it a time of feasting, or fasting, and why? (1 Chron. 12:38-40). (3) Is there danger of our robbing God by reason of suc cess in service? (2 Cor. 12:7). (4) In seasons of uncertainty concerning God’s will for us, what should we do? (1 Sam. 23:1-12). (5) What is the secret of greatness in God’s service? (James 4 :6). (6) What assurance have we, as individuals, and as a church, of final victory? (Eph. 6:10-13). (7) What Psalm pictures to us the joy which awaits the church? (8) Does v. 11, in Chapter 6, teach us any needed lesson for our homes? (Psa. 91:1-11).
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