2 Samuel 5:1-10

2 Samuel 5:1-10 has the official transition of David to the throne.  “All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron”.  He had been doing some leading of certain parts of the people of God, but Saul had remained king and now is dead.  So the people come and say “we are your bone and flesh”.  They are ready for David to take the reigns.  “You shall be prince over Israel”.  The torch is officially passed and the elders are ready to make David King.  God had decreed it much earlier, and now the people are finally catching up.

So “King David made a covenant with them….they anointed David king”.  This is not some simple thing – it became a covenant relationship.  David accepting the role and responsibility that goes with being king, and the people receiving him in that role.  Covenant relationships are significant.  They are not just words – it is a permanent bond.  A covenant refers to two or more parties bound together.  Not for some period of time, but forever.  Covenants aren’t broken except through death.  It’s why God calls marriage a covenant relationship – it is to last forever.  We have lost the impact of a covenant.  We see relationships as temporary and disposable.  That is not what happens here between the elders, the people of Israel and their King David.

He takes the helm and reins for 40.5 years.  First at Hebron, and later in Jerusalem which he went and captured and took back.  David rebuilt that great city and “called it the city of David”.  It became his fortress and the center of his kingdom.  David certainly didn’t receive the kingdom on a silver platter.  From the time God anointed him king, until this time when the people finally get around to it, was a very difficult period.  He was constantly being chased by Saul who didn’t want to allow the transition.  He faced numerous enemies who wanted to wipe him out.  He had to sleep with his eyes open to be sure he wasn’t killed. It was a tough ride to get to this day.

But scripture tells us that “David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him”.  God enabled him to endure.  God gave him grace so he could survive.  David became more ready to really take the throne as he endured the challenges along the path.  And now, scripture tells us that David has become greater – but it isn’t of his own ability.  Greatness happens because God was with him.  David becomes who he is because God poured into him.  We need to keep that in mind as we see these larger than life people in scripture.  It isn’t them, it is God in them that makes them stand out.  And the same God that worked in and through David wants to do the same in you and me.  The only question is our willingness to let Him have control and be obedient as He leads.  We too can become great in God’s eyes.  We just have to choose to follow and obey!  

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