David's Wisdom

 2 Samuel 5-16

Today, if one is looking for a Chief Executive, first they may search from within the company ranks, or they may get what is called a headhunter, one who is used to find executive level placement.  One might say the tribes of Israel became headhunters.  This is the written account of the tribe coming to David king of Judah; “Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem, he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.”

It is essential that we do not forget the bitter civil war and some of King David’s wisdom in moving the capital to Jerusalem.  It was centrally located, and Hebron was not, and it was located in Benjamin, the tribe of Saul.  It was a great message to the northern tribes that David was not only the King of Judah but now Israel. 

One of the first things David did was rename the city calling it the city of David, and he began to put in supporting terraces.  The King of Hiram of Tyre was over a very prosperous port city, and he started to send David building materials, not only to build a home for David but also to build the city.  Unlike many leaders of our day David always was clear that it was not David but God who was his source and power.  I’m sure that Deuteronomy 32:4 is a verse David recalled; “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are Justice.  A God of faithfulness and without iniquity just and upright is He.”

Now often we think of King Solomon, the son of David as some over sexed guy with all those wives and concubines, but he was modeling dad, though he took it to a new level. 

This is the account; “And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice