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David Becomes King of Israel
The Divine Appointment: God's Choice for Israel
The narrative of David's ascension to the throne of Israel is not merely a tale of political succession but a profound testament to God's sovereign hand in human affairs. The first king of Israel, Saul, though initially chosen by God, tragically deviated from divine instruction, forfeiting his kingdom. His disobedience, particularly in the matter of the Amalekites, revealed a heart that preferred man's approval over God's command. The prophet Samuel delivered the solemn verdict:
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
This rejection paved the way for a new king, one chosen by God Himself, a man after His own heart. The transition from Saul to David illustrates the immutable principle that God exalts the humble and resists the proud. Israel required a leader who would faithfully shepherd the nation according to God's will, and the Lord had already identified such a man.
A Shepherd Boy Anointed: The Prophetic Call
Following Saul's rejection, the LORD directed Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to anoint a new king. Samuel, looking at Jesse's elder, impressive sons, initially misjudged, but God corrected his human perspective:
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
One by one, Jesse's sons passed before Samuel, but none was the chosen one. Finally, Jesse sent for his youngest son, David, who was tending the sheep. David, a ruddy, handsome youth with beautiful eyes, was brought before the prophet. Immediately, the LORD confirmed His choice. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brethren. From that day forward, the Spirit of the LORD came upon David mightily (1 Samuel 16:13). This anointing was not merely a ceremonial act; it was a divine impartation, setting David apart for his future kingship and empowering him for the monumental tasks ahead. It signified God's endorsement and the beginning of His plan to establish David on the throne.
From Shepherd to Warrior: David's Rise to Prominence
David's journey to the throne was not immediate; it was a path marked by divine providence and courageous acts. His initial entry into Saul's court was as a skilled harpist, whose music brought solace to the king tormented by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:23). However, it was his legendary encounter with Goliath, the Philistine giant, that propelled him into national recognition. While the armies of Israel cowered in fear, David, armed with faith and five smooth stones, boldly confronted the uncircumcised Philistine, declaring:
Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50) cemented his reputation as a mighty warrior and a deliverer for Israel. He became a celebrated hero, leading Saul's armies to further victories and winning the hearts of the people. This period of service under Saul provided David with invaluable experience in military leadership and administration, preparing him for the weighty responsibilities of kingship.
The Shadow of Jealousy: Saul's Relentless Pursuit
David's popularity, however, ignited a fierce and irrational jealousy in King Saul. The women's song, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands," became a torment to Saul, who perceived it as a direct threat to his throne (1 Samuel 18:7-9). From that day forward, Saul harbored an evil eye towards David, attempting to kill him on multiple occasions with a javelin and later sending him on perilous missions hoping he would fall. David's success and the Lord's presence with him only intensified Saul's paranoia.
For years, David was forced to flee from Saul, living as a fugitive in the wilderness, caves, and foreign lands. Despite numerous opportunities to harm Saul, David consistently refused to lay a hand on the Lord's anointed, demonstrating profound respect for God's established authority and unwavering trust in God's timing. In the cave of En-gedi and later in the wilderness of Ziph, David spared Saul's life, reiterating his principle:
The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
This period of intense persecution refined David's character, deepening his reliance on God and teaching him patience, humility, and leadership under duress. His psalms from this era reveal a soul wrestling with adversity yet clinging steadfastly to divine promises.
The End of an Era: Saul's Tragic Demise
The long, tumultuous reign of King Saul met its tragic end on the battlefields of Mount Gilboa. The Philistines engaged Israel in a fierce battle, overwhelming Saul's army. Saul's sons, including his beloved Jonathan, fell in the fight. Wounded and despairing, and fearing capture and torture by the uncircumcised Philistines, Saul took his own life:
Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
The news of Saul's death, along with Jonathan's, reached David in Ziklag. Far from rejoicing, David mourned deeply, composing a lament for Saul and Jonathan that showcased his profound grief and respect for the fallen king and his loyal friend (2 Samuel 1:17-27). This lament, known as "The Song of the Bow," is a powerful expression of David's noble character, devoid of bitterness or triumphalism, even towards the man who had relentlessly sought his life. Saul's death cleared the path for David's rightful ascension, but it was not a path David sought through rebellion or violence, but one opened by God's sovereign timing.
Kingship Established: David's Reign Begins
Upon hearing of Saul's death, David inquired of the LORD concerning his next move. God directed him to go to Hebron. There, the men of Judah came to him and anointed him king over the house of Judah:
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.
This marked the formal beginning of David's reign, though initially, it was only over his own tribe. For seven and a half years, David reigned in Hebron, while a civil war raged between the house of Saul, led by Abner (Saul's cousin and commander of his army), and the house of David. Abner had installed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as king over the rest of Israel. This period was fraught with conflict and political maneuvering, but gradually, David's power grew stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker (2 Samuel 3:1). The assassination of Abner and later Ish-bosheth, though not orchestrated by David, ultimately removed the last obstacles to his unified kingship, demonstrating that God was clearing the way for His chosen vessel.
Unification of a Nation: David Over All Israel
With the death of Ish-bosheth, there was no legitimate heir from Saul's line to contend for the throne. All the tribes of Israel, recognizing David's military prowess, his anointing by Samuel, and his righteous character, came to Hebron to make a covenant with him. They acknowledged his leadership and the divine mandate upon his life:
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. 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.
So, all the elders of Israel came to King David at Hebron, and King David made a league with them before the LORD; and they anointed David king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4). His first major act as king over all Israel was to capture the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem, making it his capital city, "the city of David" (2 Samuel 5:6-9). This strategic move provided a neutral capital, uniting the northern and southern tribes and establishing a central religious and political hub for the nation. David's kingship marked the golden age of the Israelite monarchy, characterized by national unity, military strength, and spiritual revival.
The King After God's Own Heart: Legacy and Covenant
David's reign is remembered as the pinnacle of Israel's national history, largely due to his steadfast devotion to God. Though he stumbled grievously at times, his heart was always turned back to the LORD in repentance and humility. The Lord Himself testified of David through the prophet Samuel, and later through Paul:
And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
The most enduring legacy of David's kingship is the unconditional covenant God made with him, promising an eternal dynasty and an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This "Davidic Covenant" pointed directly to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be a descendant of David and whose kingdom would truly have no end. David's life, from humble shepherd to mighty king, persecuted fugitive to revered monarch, serves as a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness, His ability to use imperfect vessels for His perfect plan, and the enduring nature of His promises. The establishment of David's kingdom was not merely a historical event; it was a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for all humanity.
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