David Reigns Over Judah and Israel – Youth STS Lesson 235

“So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel”

2 Samuel 5:3 (Memory Verse)

Introduction

The prophecy and pronouncement on David to be king over Israel was fulfilled (1 Samuel 16:13). He had waited till he became thirty-seven years before his reign over the entire nation. Truly, David was a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). He governed God’s people by godly principles for God’s glory.

David was a man of many endeavours. He was a singer, poet, instrumentalist, writer and warrior. He had faith and confidence in the Almighty God right from his youth. He trusted the faithfulness of God to fulfil His purpose for his life. He had patience in everything he did. He was wise and tactful in dealing with difficult issues and people. He was faithful to God and those he made covenant with. He had courage and commitment to carry out the service of God. He was generous and devoted to the Lord always. He was honest in all matters and lived a fulfilled life.

In our lesson today, we shall see David crowned king over Judah (2 Samuel 2:1-32); the retribution and damnation of those who perpetrated wickedness in the nation (2 Samuel 3:1-39; 4:1-12) and the reign of David over Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-25).

THE REWARDS OF DAVID’S ENQUIRY FROM THE LORD

2 Samuel 2:1-32; 5:17-25; 1 Samuel 23:1-5,9-14; 30:1-20; Psalm 27:4,8; Philippians 4:6

“And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron” (2 Samuel 2:1). After the death of Saul, David was to relocate from Ziklag to the land of Israel. To do that, he first prayed to the Lord to give him direction. This attitude of David is recommended for all God’s children. It shows we have trust, confidence and faith in God as all-knowing. When we depend on Him, He cannot mislead us and we will not make mistakes in life.

Question 1: Why should Christian youths seek God’s guidance concerning any matter in their lives?

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8). The Lord has promised divine guidance for youths who truly seek Him. Christian youths should seek the Lord for divine guidance because we do not know the future. God knows everything now and in the future. Therefore, we should seek Him for divine leading through prayer and meditation on His word. He has promised to guide us till death. “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).

After the Lord had given David permission, he went to Hebron with his family and the men he had trained. These people were distressed, indebted and discontented, but became mighty men after the training (1 Samuel 22:2; 23:13; 27:2,3; 30:5,6). David instilled courage, confidence, commitment, consecration and compassion in them. The charge, command and counsel from David made them a mighty army that could face fierce battles.

As David settled in Hebron, the men of Judah anointed him king over their tribe. They also told him of the kindness of the men of Jabeshgilead concerning Saul. However, Abner, the captain of Saul’s army, made Ishbosheth, who was also called Eshbaal, king over Israel (2 Samuel 2:8-10; 1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39). Abner was a leader of great influence and renown but in a wrong direction. He was opposing the will of God because he knew David was the anointed king to succeed Saul. Unfortunately he died as a fool (2 Samuel 3:33). There was civil war between the army of David led by Joab and Saul’s house led by Abner. Here, David defeated Abner and the men of Israel (2 Samuel 2:17,30,31). The conclusion was, “Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker” (2 Samuel 3:1).

Question 2: What were the rewards David derived for seeking the Lord before going to Judah?

One, David was anointed king over Judah without opposition (2 Samuel 2:4). Two, he used the privilege to appeal to the people of Jabeshgilead for support (2 Samuel 2:5-7). Three, he had victory in civil war (2 Samuel 2:17,30,31). Four, God’s plan for him was fulfilled to the letter and his kingdom was established in Israel. Five, he made rapid progress on every side. When we depend on the Lord, we will enjoy God’s protection, promises and progress.

RETRIBUTION AND DAMNATION OF THE WICKED

2 Samuel 3:1-39; 4:1-12; 1 Kings 2:28-34; 2 Timothy 4:14-16

After two years of reigning over Israel, Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, accused Abner of committing sexual immorality with his father’s concubine (2 Samuel 2:10; 3:6-8). Due to this accusation, Abner rebelled against the house of Saul and was ready to transfer the kingdom to David (2 Samuel 3:9-12).

Question 3: Was the act of Abner right in committing sexual immorality with Saul’s concubine?

Christian youths must note that God condemns immoral acts in any form. Anyone who commits such an act will face the wrath of God except he repents. Besides Abner, some other persons committed such abomination in the Bible days. Reuben did the same with his father’s concubine and a curse was placed on him by his father (Genesis 35:22; 49:3,4). Absalom went in to his father’s concubines when David was driven away from the palace (2 Samuel 16:20-23). The Scripture says, “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered” (Proverbs 11:21). They all suffered for their wickedness. Therefore, youths are warned to steer clear of any form of immorality (Acts 15:28,29). We are commanded not to allow it to be mentioned even once in our fellowship as saints (Ephesians 5:3).

Abner made arrangements to see David on how to transfer the kingdom to him. However, David requested that until his wife was returned to him, Abner would not see his face. Abner and Saul’s son consented to David’s request. After Abner left David in peace, Joab, David’s captain, was not pleased. He sent for Abner without the knowledge of the king. Joab, lacking godly fear, smote Abner because of Asahel, his brother whom Abner killed. This was an ungodly and wicked act of revenge.

Question 4: What was David’s pronouncement on Joab for killing Abner?

“And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread” (2 Samuel 3:28,29). One, the king said the judgment should rest on the head of Joab. Two, issue of blood or leprosy should not cease in his family. Three, there should not fail to be an old person leaning on a staff in his family. Four, there should be poverty in his family. All these prophetic pronouncements were fulfilled later in Joab’s family (1 Kings 2:28-34).

The lamentation of David showed he was not the one who sent Joab to kill Abner (2 Samuel 3:33). He ordered Joab to mourn. David also went for the burial and lamented thus: “Died Abner as a fool dieth?” (2 Samuel 3:33). He further said, “And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness” (2 Samuel 3:39).

Furthermore, when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead, his hands were feeble and all Israel was troubled (2 Samuel 4:1). While they were weeping for Abner, two captains of Ishbosheth’s army planned and killed him in his bed chamber and brought his head to David. To their surprise, David responded thus: “…As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?” (2 Samuel 4:9-11). Then the king commanded his young men to kill them for their wicked act.

The reward for wickedness is punishment now and in eternity. The only remedy is sincere and true repentance towards God and faith in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. Today is an opportunity to surrender your life completely to God. A wicked person will not escape judgment before God either now or in eternity. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…” (Hebrews 2:3).

THE REIGN OF DAVID OVER ISRAEL

2 Samuel 5:1-24; Acts 13:21-23; 1 Chronicles 11:1-9; Psalm 78:70-72; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17; Exodus 32:19,20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 John 5:21

The Lord Jesus Christ said, “the scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). The Almighty God had revealed His mind to Samuel the prophet that He had found a man after His heart (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 7:4; Acts 13:21). After many years, the scriptures were fulfilled.

Question 5: What do we learn from the way the Scriptures were fulfilled in David’s life?

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them” (Isaiah 34:16). God and His words are dependable at all times. Therefore, when we put our trust in His words, we can rest assured it will not fail. “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6).

The tribes of Israel came to David and anointed him king. They specially made it clear to him the duties and responsibilities for him as commanded by God. “Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:2).

From our text, the duties of king David were: (1) to lead and give direction to Israel (2 Samuel 5:2); (2) to feed Israel with the word of God (2 Samuel 5:2); and (3) to be a captain over the nation (2 Samuel 5:2). All these David did faithfully before the Lord. “He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands” (Psalm 78:70-72).

After David was anointed king, he transferred the capital to Jerusalem. The Jebusites thought they could hinder him. He conquered them without any delay and he established his kingdom (2 Samuel 5:12). The Scripture says, “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10). He also fought with the Philistines and destroyed their images, “And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them” (2 Samuel 5:21).

In conclusion, we learn that we should (i) follow the Lord patiently to fulfil His plan for our lives; (ii) pray and follow divine directives for smooth progress and promotion in our lives; (iii) trust God’s word that will never fail; (iv) keep away from wicked ways by turning to God through repentance and living godly; and (v) pray for spiritual strength and grace to fulfil our ministry like David. The Lord commands us thus: “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it” (Colossians 4:17). Therefore, our commitment to the Lord should be to obey Him like David did, “And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him…” (2 Samuel 5:25).