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David Crowned King at Last
This chapter is based on 2 Samuel 2 to 5:5.
The death of Saul removed the dangers that had made David an
exile. The way was now open for him to return to his own land.
“David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go up to any of the
cities of Judah?’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said,
‘Where shall I go up?’ And He said, ‘To Hebron.’”
David and his followers immediately prepared to obey. As the
caravan entered the city, the men of Judah were waiting to welcome
David as the future king of Israel. Arrangements were made at once
for his coronation. “And there they anointed David king over the
house of Judah.” No effort was made to establish his authority over
the other tribes.
When David heard of the brave deed of the men of Jabesh Gilead
in rescuing the bodies of Saul and Jonathan and giving them honor-
able burial, he sent the message, “You are blessed of the Lord, for
you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried
him. And now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you. I also
will repay you this kindness.”
The Philistines were not upset by Judah’s action in making David
a king. They hoped that because they had been kind to David, the
increase of his power would work to their advantage. But David’s
reign was not to be free from trouble.
God had chosen David to be king of Israel, yet hardly had the
people of Judah accepted his authority when Ishbosheth, the son of
Saul, was made king on a rival throne in Israel. Ishbosheth was a
weak, incompetent representative of the house of Saul, in contrast
to David who was supremely qualified. Abner, the chief agent in
raising Ishbosheth to kingly power, was the most distinguished man
in Israel. He knew that the Lord had appointed David to the throne,
but he was not willing for the son of Jesse to come into possession
of the kingdom.
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