After the end of the civil war (see Israelite Monarchy - The Civil War), David's royal dynasty (see Israelite Dynasties) was secure, politically and militarily (see Israelite Monarchy - The United Kingdom). One important matter remained however - to bring The Ark Of The Covenant to Jerusalem from the house of Abinadab (see notes for 1 Samuel 6-10).
"And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name of The Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim [see also Christ's Mercy Seat]. And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were making merry before The Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres [see Lyre] and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals." (2 Samuel 6:2-5 RSV)The rules for the sacred Ark were very clear. No one but specific Levites were allowed to touch it, for any reason; anyone else would face God's wrath (see also Raiders Of The Lost Ark).
"And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of The Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God." (2 Samuel 6:6-7 RSV)The death of Uzzah made King David reconsider bringing the Ark into his palace. Instead, David had the Ark redirected to the house of Obed-edom, a Levite (see also The Lines Of Eleazar and Ithamar). The Ark remained there for a few months before David brought it safely, this time, to Jerusalem.
"And David was afraid of The Lord that day; and he said, "How can the ark of The Lord come to me?" So David was not willing to take the ark of The Lord into the city of David; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of The Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months; and The Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household. And it was told King David, "The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to The City of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of The Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. And David danced before The Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod." (2 Samuel 6:9-14 RSV)The Ark was successfully transferred to Jerusalem amidst much rejoicing. David's estranged wife Michal did not approve of the king's behavior however; the confrontation effectively ended their marriage.
"As the ark of The Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before The Lord; and she despised him in her heart." (2 Samuel 6:16 RSV) "And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' maids, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" (2 Samuel 6:20 RSV)2 Samuel Chapter 7
"And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death." (2 Samuel 6:23 RSV)
Prophets of The Lord were present though most of Bible History. In the time of King David, Nathan was in the service of God.
"Now when the king dwelt in his house, and The Lord had given him rest from all his enemies round about, the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent." And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for The Lord is with you." (2 Samuel 7:1-3 RSV)Shepherds were often called "to shepherd My people Israel." David was a shepherd, just as Moses ("Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro" Exodus 3:1 RSV; see also The Education Of Moses) and others had been. Jesus Christ was and is also the "good shepherd" (see The Shepherd's Voice).
"But that same night the word of The Lord came to Nathan, "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says The Lord: Would you build Me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day [see also 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 and Why Did Christ Put Moses To Death?], but I have been moving about in a tent for My dwelling. In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' (2 Samuel 7:4-7 RSV)The Lord also provided a Prophecy about David's yet-unborn son Solomon who would be the one to build The Lord's Temple (see Temples) in Jerusalem.
"Moreover The Lord declares to you that The Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers [see What Happens When You Die?], I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men; but I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul [see also Israelite Monarchy - The Origin], whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before Me; your throne shall be established for ever.'" In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David." (2 Samuel 7:11-17 RSV)2 Samuel Chapter 8
The Lord then provided military success over all of Israel's enemies. David's son Solomon would be a man of peace because David made peace, by victory (a principle that the Messiah will also apply at His return; see Christ the Conqueror For Peace).
First the Philistines, who would later become known as "Palestinians" (see The Truth About Israel and the "Palestinians")."After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines." (2 Samuel 8:1 RSV)Then the Moabites, whose territory was east of The Jordan River in part of what is today the Kingdom of Jordan.
"And he defeated Moab, and measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground; two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute." (2 Samuel 8:2 RSV)David made peace all the way to the Euphrates River in what is today Iraq (see also Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, Euphrates).
"David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates." (2 Samuel 8:3 RSV)David also made peace with Syria.
"And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew twenty-two thousand men of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute [see Custom and Tribute. And The Lord gave victory to David wherever he went." (2 Samuel 8:5-6 RSV)
No comments:
Post a Comment