Bible Studies
David’s Kingdom Consolidated (2 Sam. 5:1-5)
Series: Studies in Second SamuelIntroduction:
1. David had already been anointed as king in Judah, but this gave him no claim of legitimacy in the northern kingdom of Israel. 2. Saul and Jonathan had been slain. 3. Ishbosheth had been placed on the throne in Israel by Abner, Saul’s military general. 4. 2 Samuel chapters 3-4-5 describe a series of events that led to the consolidation of David’s throne. 5. All of his rivals will be eliminated, yet David will not put forth his hand to strike down any of them, instead his actions lead to the people giving him more and more allegiance. 6. In the previous lesson we learned that David’s approach was not to take power for himself, but to allow it to be granted by God. Again in this lesson we will see this same dynamic unfolding.Discussion:
I. When Isbosheth questioned Abner about having taken Saul’s concubine Abner cast his powerful influence to David (3:12fff). David responded by treating Abner kindly and sending him away in peace (3:20-21).A. Abner sent messengers to David with an invitation to covenant with David (3:12-13).
B. Abner consulted with the leaders of Israel about David being king (3:17-19).
C. He and twenty men from Israel came to David at Hebron and invited him to be their king (20-21).
D. David sent Abner away in peace (21).
1. “So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
2. Christ, our king, made peace with his sacrifice on the cross (Eph. 2:14ff).
3. The message of His kingdom is a message of peace (Eph. 2:17), modern denominationalism notwithstanding.
II. Joab killed Abner (3:22-30). David responded by grieving for Abner and giving the complete responsibility for Abner’s death to Joab (3:28, 31-35).A. Joab was away while Abner was in Hebron. Upon returning Joab questioned David and presented Abner as a deceiver and spy (22-25).
1. In negotiating relationships you have to be careful what people tell you about others.
2. They may have personal motives for telling you what they tell you.
3. Joab had a personal problem with Abner and so presented Abner to David as a deceiver.
B. Joab came up with a plan to kill Abner (26-27).
1. David knew nothing of it.
2. Joab killed Abner because of his brother Asahel, evidently Abishai was involved too (v. 30).
C. David proclaimed himself innocent (28-29).
1. But he did not execute Joab.
2. He described himself as weak and Joab and Abishai as “too difficult for me.”
3. He called upon God to repay the evildoer according to his evil (39).
4. Again we see the dynamics of power playing a role in the kingdom of God.
D. David mourned Abner (31-38).
1. Through this mourning it was clear that it was not David’s desire to put Abner to death.
2. Yet he was not powerful enough to execute Joab.
3. The people understood the circumstance and what David did pleased them.
4. God’s people are not always in the powerful position. People can appreciate such a circumstance and even love you for it.
5. Bitterness, hatred and attempting to get even are not respectable qualities (Rom. 12:19-21). Even in the case of grave injustices we must reign in our passions.
6. The world tends to approach things from Joab’s perspective and view his vengeance as commendable. David’s confession of weakness is undesirable by the world’s standards. But then the kingdom of God is countercultural.
III. Rechab and Baanah killed Isbosheth. David executed them, just as he had the Amalekite who said that he had killed Saul (4:1-12).A. With the death of Abner, Ishbosheth’s position was in danger.
1. He had two commanders who saw an opportunity.
2. They would assassinate Isbosheth and present his head to David.
3. They expected David to rejoice at the “good news” they were bringing.
B. Instead David executed them for having killed a righteous man.
1. Observe that David is not a man to take control by killing his competition.
2. Such is not the basis upon which the kingdom of God is founded.
3. Instead it is founded upon justice and equity for all. Even the lives of David’s rivals (Saul and Ishbosheth) are protected and honored.
IV. David alone is left as the only viable candidate for king (5:1-5).A. David conquered Jerusalem (5:6-10).
1. Jerusalem is a critical site as a capital city.
2. It is occupied by the Jebusites, neutral territory politically. It is independent of the tribes of Israel.
3. “David became greater and greater for the Lord God was with him” (v. 10).
B. Hiram, king of Tyre, recognized David as king (11-12).
1. Hiram sent building materials and craftsmen to build David’s house.
2. “David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel” (v. 12).
C. David further stabilized his kingship with wives, concubines and more sons and daughters (13-16).
1. I think we think less about perpetuating ourselves in the future than those of David’s day. Perhaps it is because we think less about the future generation and more about ourselves.
2. Maybe we would do well to think more about the future generation and less about ourselves.
3. How are you investing in the future of the kingdom? What investments are you making in the spiritual life of your children that are going to perpetuate the kingdom of God in the future? Are you really seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness?
D. David defeated the Philistines in two great battles.
1. The first battle (17-21).
a. When the Philistines heard that David was king they went up against him.
b. David inquired of the Lord.
c. The Lord defeated the Philistines and David carried away their idols.
2. The second battle (22-25).
a. They went up against him again.
b. Again David inquired of the Lord.
c. God gave instruction about how he should proceed.
d. Again the Philistines were defeated.
Conclusion:
1. David is the King over all Israel. He is 37 years old. 2. All his rivals have met their end at the hands of men of wickedness. 3. The Lord was with David and so he became greater and greater. Thus the Lord established him as king and exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people, Israel. 4. Are you seeking the kingdom of God? Are you seeking it as the first priority in your life?
