On the death of Ishbosheth, David was elected king over all the people of Israel. He immediately began work to establish a United Kingdom. One of his first acts as king was to attack the fortified city of Jebus. Although the inhabitants thought it was safe from capture, king David and his army took it by storm. He then made it the capital city of his kingdom and erected his palace there. Also known as JERUSALEM, the new capital stood on the border of the southern tribe of Judah and the other tribal territories to the north. This location tended to calm the jealousies between the north and the south, contributing greatly to the unity of the kingdom.

After establishing his new political capital. David proceeded to re-establish and strengthen the worship of God. He moved the ARK OF THE COVENANT from Kirjath Jearim and placed it within a tabernacle which he pitched in Jerusalem. - Josh. 15:9 - Next, he organized worship on a magnificient scale and began plans to build a house of worship. But God brought a halt to his plans, informing David that the building of the Temple would be entrusted to his successor.

Although David was a righteous king, he was subject to sin, just like other human beings. On one occasion when his army went to battle, David stayed home. This led to his great sin with Bathsheba. While Uriah, the Hittite, Bathsheba's husband, was away in battle, David committed adultery with her. Then in an effort to cover his sin, he finally had Uriah killed in battle. David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, who courageously exposed his wrongdoing. Faced with his sin. David repented and asked for God's forgiveness. His prayer of forgiveness is recorded in the Book of Psalm-chapter 51.

Although God forgave David of this act of adultery, the consequences of the sin continued to plague him. The child born to David and Bathsheba died. The example he set as a father was a bad influence on his sons. One son, Amnon, raped and humiliated his half-sister. Another son, Absalom, rebelled against David and tried to take away his kingdom by force.

One of king David desires was to build a temple in Jerusalem. But he was prevented from doing so. The prophet Nathan informed David that he should not build the temple because he had been a warrior. David did not build the temple but hr did gather material for the temple to be built later. It was king Solomon, David's son and successor who finally erected the first temple in Jerusalem.

David died when he was 71 years old, having been king for a total of over 40 years, including both his reign in Hebron and his kingship over the United Kingdom. Although king David committed deep sin, he still was known as a man who sought God's will. Certainly he was not perfect but he was willing to repent of his sins and wrongdoing and to follow God's leadership. A capable musician, David unquestionably gave great encouragement to this fine art in the life of his people. As warrior and military man, he was resourceful and courageous. As a king, he was without equal in the life of his nation. As a religious leader, he was exceptional.

Early in his life, David distinguished himself as the sweet psalmist. - 2Sam. 23:1 - Many of the psalms in the Book of Psalms are attributed to him. His writings will continue to be the favourite devotional literature for honest souls who seek a closer walk with God.

In the New Testament, David was recorded as Ancestor to Jesus Christ. Jesus was referred to as the Son of David. The genealogy of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It traced Jesus back through the ancestry of David. God promised David a kingdom that would have no end. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus who came to establish the Kingdom of God. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because this was the "city of David", David's birthplace and childhood home.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -