The first task of Da'vid after becoming the ruler of all Is'ra-el was to decide which city should be his capital. For seven years the seat of his government had been He'bron, sacred to all the people of the nation for many reasons, but he did not wish it to appear that the eleven tribes were being annexed to the little government of Ju'dah. He felt that to keep his capital at He'bron would cause undue pride among the people of Ju'dah, and make the other tribes jealous. He also wished to avoid the mistake of Saul, who made his home town of Gib'e-ah capital in spite of the fact that it was a place of little national importance, and was scorned by the people as the scene of one of the worst outrages in his history of the nation.
For personal reasons, Da'vid preferred his native city of Beth'le-hem for the capital, but its situation would not permit the building of proper defenses. His problem was to choose a capital which was not then held by any of the twelve tribes; otherwise, there would be jealousy among the tribes; and to find a city which might be taken by the combined efforts of all the tribes, thereby giving them a sense of unity as a nation.
For all these reasons, therefore, Da'vid set his heart on taking Je-ru'sa-lem, a strongly fortified city, situated between the land of Ju'dah and Ben'ja-min, and thus belonging to neither. It was then held by the Jeb'u-sites, a strong Ca'naan-it-ish tribe which had occupied the mountainous section of Ju'dah when the Is'ra-el-ites first entered the land. Neither Josh'u-a, who conquered them after a great struggle, nor the children of Ju'dah, who seized the lower part of the city, nor the Ben'ja-mites, to whom the city had been assigned, were able to take the strong citadel of Je'bus on Mt. Zi'on.
The Jeb'u-sites were so strongly fortified on the eastern hill of the city that they looked with scorn upon any who dared to attack them, and cried from the walls of their citadel that even the blind and the lame could defend it. It was shut in by deep valleys on three sides, and was not easily approached from the other. Through the centuries it had defied all attempts to scale its heights and break down its fortifications; to capture the fort of Je'bus was regarded as an impossible feat.
Da'vid, however, had relied upon the strength of the LORD to do what had seemed impossible in days gone by, so he believed that he could take this powerful fortress. He led his armies in the attack, and was successful; not by strength of arms or skill in warfare, but by the unseen forces of the GOD of Is'ra-el. The city was given to Da'vid as a servant of the LORD GOD of Hosts, and as a blessing to all the world, for the stronghold of Je'bus was thereby made the fortress of Zi'on, and Je-ru'sa-lem became a city unequaled in importance by any other in the history of the world.
Greater wisdom was never displayed in the selection of the capital of any nation. Je-ru'sa-lem was, indeed, a "mountain throne" for the kings of Is'ra-el, and a "mountain sanctuary" for the people of GOD. High above Jer'i-cho in the Jor'dan valley, the Phi-lis'tine strongholds on the plains of the Med'i-ter-ra'ne-an, the Phoe-ni'ci-an cities of Tyre and Si'don, and Da-mas'cus of Syr'i-a, it stood in defiance of all enemies for hundreds of years. Situated in a mountain fastness on the edge of one of the highest table-lands of Ca'naan, in the most prominent part of the mountain range which extended from the desert country on the south to the plains of Es-dra-e'lon on the north, the Holy City of Je-ru'sa-lem was the pride and glory of GOD'S chosen people throughout their history. Not until the Mes-si'ah set up His worldwide dominion did it lose its importance, and long after the Advent it held a position of Honor.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Story 90: Da'vid Is Crowned King Of All Is'ra-el
After the shrewd generalship and crafty efforts of Ab'ner had failed to make Ish-bo'sheth king over all Is'ra-el, but had brought death to both general and king, there was left only one member of the house of Saul to contest Da'vid's claims to the throne. The one heir was the lame Me-phib'o-sheth, who was only twelve years old. The leaders of the eleven revolting tribes therefore went to He'bron and asked that Da'vid be made king of the entire nation.
Among the reasons given for this request were the following: the suspicions aroused by Da'vid's enforced alliance with the king of Gath had been fully removed by his active interest in the welfare of all Is'ra-el; his splendid record as a soldier fitted him to lead Is'ra-el against their enemies; and the LORD had clearly indicated His choice of Da'vid for the office of king.
In the coronation ceremonies at He'bron the qualifications and duties of the king were placed on a much higher plane than before. For the first time he was placed over Is'ra-el as a pastor; the duty of love and humility and proper respect for the liberty, property, and life of the people was stressed, and the king was charged with the responsibility of watching over his people as a shepherd watches his flocks.
The whole procedure was carried out in a deeply religious spirit. The religious unity of the nation, which had been established by Sam'u-el and then weakened by Saul, was fully restored. Da'vid "made a league with Is'ra-el before the LORD," and the representatives of all the tribes of Is'ra-el pledged their loyalty and obedience to him as "the anointed of the LORD." It was the beginning of a new era for Is'ra-el and for her Divinely chosen king.
Da'vid was now thirty years old, and the hopes which he had humbly cherished in his heart for fifteen years were now at last fully accomplished. The sufferings and discipline and training of these long years had often tested his faith in GOD and man, but he had come out of the fires of trial and temptation fully prepared to be a great ruler.
His confidence in GOD had been strengthened by the Divine grace which had been granted him in manifold trials, and he was well qualified for the great honor to which he had been consecrated by the prophet Sam'u-el fifteen years before.
Among the reasons given for this request were the following: the suspicions aroused by Da'vid's enforced alliance with the king of Gath had been fully removed by his active interest in the welfare of all Is'ra-el; his splendid record as a soldier fitted him to lead Is'ra-el against their enemies; and the LORD had clearly indicated His choice of Da'vid for the office of king.
In the coronation ceremonies at He'bron the qualifications and duties of the king were placed on a much higher plane than before. For the first time he was placed over Is'ra-el as a pastor; the duty of love and humility and proper respect for the liberty, property, and life of the people was stressed, and the king was charged with the responsibility of watching over his people as a shepherd watches his flocks.
The whole procedure was carried out in a deeply religious spirit. The religious unity of the nation, which had been established by Sam'u-el and then weakened by Saul, was fully restored. Da'vid "made a league with Is'ra-el before the LORD," and the representatives of all the tribes of Is'ra-el pledged their loyalty and obedience to him as "the anointed of the LORD." It was the beginning of a new era for Is'ra-el and for her Divinely chosen king.
Da'vid was now thirty years old, and the hopes which he had humbly cherished in his heart for fifteen years were now at last fully accomplished. The sufferings and discipline and training of these long years had often tested his faith in GOD and man, but he had come out of the fires of trial and temptation fully prepared to be a great ruler.
His confidence in GOD had been strengthened by the Divine grace which had been granted him in manifold trials, and he was well qualified for the great honor to which he had been consecrated by the prophet Sam'u-el fifteen years before.
Friday, June 9, 2017
Story 89: Da'vid's Seven Years Of Reign Over Ju'dah lll
After bitterly denouncing Da'vid for being deceived by a cunning plotter, Jo'ab sent messengers to Ab'ner with the request that he return for a conference. This invitation may have been sent in the name of the king, for it aroused no suspicion in the mind of Ab'ner. He promptly came back to the capital, where Jo'ab took him aside under the pretense of a private conversation, and thereupon assassinated him. Jo'ab tried to justify this cruel deed as an act of revenge for the death of his brother As'a-hel, and by the claim that Ab'ner was a traitor to Da'vid and an enemy of GOD, but few believed that this was his real motive.
Da'vid's sense of justice was outraged by the treachery of Jo'ab, and he felt that the proposed alliance of the rebellious tribes with his kingdom would be greatly hampered by this cruel deed. He disclaimed all responsibility for the act of his general, pronouncing a curse upon Jo'ab and his family. As a token of honor for the slain Ab'ner he proclaimed a season of mourning, and himself took part in the lamentations. In his funeral dirge he declared:
"Ab'ner died, not as a worthless man, nor as one guilty of any crime worthy of death; he was overpowered without suspecting evil, and was murdered as a defenseless hero. A prince and a great man has fallen this day in Is'ra-el."
Da'vid's lament at the grave of Ab'ner and his fair-minded praise won him the increased support of all Is'ra-el, and the union of all the tribes was quickened rather than delayed by the tragedy.
When the news of Ab'ner's death reached Ish-bo'sheth, this weak king lost all courage to keep on as a rival of Da'vid, and his followers lost hope of maintaining their separate government. The military group which had been the chief support of the puppet king became disorganized, and treason broke out among the officers.
Two of the rebellious officers treacherously murdered Ish-bo'sheth while he was quietly resting on his bed. With the hope of gaining a reward they cut off the head of their master and brought it to Da'vid. Like the Am'a-lek-ite who claimed to have slain Saul at his own request, these men failed to grasp the nobility of Da'vid, and were denounced for their wicked deed. Da'vid ordered their immediate execution, and gave instructions for an honorable burial of the head of Ish-bo'sheth.
Even though these men had paid for their treachery with their lives, the death of the puppet king removed the last barrier to a united nation. The princes of all the tribes of Is'ra-el which had previously rejected the rule of Da'vid, and had allied with Ab'ner in his effort to establish the weak Ish-bo'sheth firmly on the throne of Is'ra-el, now came to He'bron to offer Da'vid the homage of all the nation. After seven years of civil war, during which he had been acknowledged as king only by the tribe of Ju'dah, Da'vid was now the ruler of all the twelve tribes, and Is'ra-el entered upon a period of great prosperity.
Da'vid's sense of justice was outraged by the treachery of Jo'ab, and he felt that the proposed alliance of the rebellious tribes with his kingdom would be greatly hampered by this cruel deed. He disclaimed all responsibility for the act of his general, pronouncing a curse upon Jo'ab and his family. As a token of honor for the slain Ab'ner he proclaimed a season of mourning, and himself took part in the lamentations. In his funeral dirge he declared:
"Ab'ner died, not as a worthless man, nor as one guilty of any crime worthy of death; he was overpowered without suspecting evil, and was murdered as a defenseless hero. A prince and a great man has fallen this day in Is'ra-el."
Da'vid's lament at the grave of Ab'ner and his fair-minded praise won him the increased support of all Is'ra-el, and the union of all the tribes was quickened rather than delayed by the tragedy.
When the news of Ab'ner's death reached Ish-bo'sheth, this weak king lost all courage to keep on as a rival of Da'vid, and his followers lost hope of maintaining their separate government. The military group which had been the chief support of the puppet king became disorganized, and treason broke out among the officers.
Two of the rebellious officers treacherously murdered Ish-bo'sheth while he was quietly resting on his bed. With the hope of gaining a reward they cut off the head of their master and brought it to Da'vid. Like the Am'a-lek-ite who claimed to have slain Saul at his own request, these men failed to grasp the nobility of Da'vid, and were denounced for their wicked deed. Da'vid ordered their immediate execution, and gave instructions for an honorable burial of the head of Ish-bo'sheth.
Even though these men had paid for their treachery with their lives, the death of the puppet king removed the last barrier to a united nation. The princes of all the tribes of Is'ra-el which had previously rejected the rule of Da'vid, and had allied with Ab'ner in his effort to establish the weak Ish-bo'sheth firmly on the throne of Is'ra-el, now came to He'bron to offer Da'vid the homage of all the nation. After seven years of civil war, during which he had been acknowledged as king only by the tribe of Ju'dah, Da'vid was now the ruler of all the twelve tribes, and Is'ra-el entered upon a period of great prosperity.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Story 89: Da'vid's Seven Years Of Reign Over Ju'dah ll
Three of Da'vid's nephews, Ab'i-shai, As'a-hel, and Jo'ab, were brave officers in Da'vid's army; Jo'ab being the commander. They led a small company of men to meet Ab'ner at Gib'e-on, and it was agreed that twelve men from each side should engage in single combat. After all these men had been mortally wounded, there came a battle in which twenty of Da'vid's men and three hundred and sixty of Ab'ner's followers were slain. As'a-hel pursued Ab'ner from the field of battle, but was killed by the crafty general.
Darkness fell before Da'vid's men could complete their victory, and Ab'ner led his scattered forces to the top of a high hill, with Jo'ab and his army in close pursuit. The next morning a truce was proposed by Ab'ner, and both armies returnt to their homes. A state of war continued, however, and there were frequent conflicts between the followers of Da'vid and those who were loyal to the house of Saul. As time went on, the cause of Da'vid steadily gaint in power, while the followers of Ish-bo'sheth grew weaker.
Ab'ner was an ambitious politician who made use of Ish-bo'sheth in setting up a rival kingdom to that of Da'vid, but who had no real love for the son of the lamented Saul. When he saw that he was taking part in a losing cause he began to seek some excuse for deserting Ish-bo'sheth, hoping to ally himself with Da'vid. A violent quarrel with his master finally gave Ab'ner his opportunity, and it was then that he admitted his knowledge of GOD'S decree that Da'vid should be king over Is'ra-el, and that he declared his intention of turning the hearts of the people to their rightful king.
When Da'vid learnt of Ab'ner's wish to join him, he demanded as one of the conditions the immediate return of his wife Mi'chal, who had been taken from him by Saul and given to another man. Although this request no doubt was prompted by a spirit of love for Mi'chal, Da'vid may also have considered the political advantages of his remarriage to the daughter of Saul. Ish-bo'sheth yielded to this demand, and permitted Ab'ner to return Mi'chal to Da'vid, even though the man to whom she had been unlawfully married made a bitter protest.
Ab'ner then set out to win the princes of the tribes of Is'ra-el to the support of Da'vid, reminding them of their former wish to have him as their king, and of GOD'S decree in this matter. He also pointed out their need of Da'vid's help in resisting the continual raids of the Phi-lis'tines. Their consent was readily obtained, for it was only through Ab'ner's persistent efforts that Ish-bo'sheth's authority over them had been secured and maintained. The results of this appeal to the leaders of the rebellious tribes were carried to Da'vid in his court at He'bron, and plans were made for an immediate public treaty uniting the two factions. After a covenant feast at which Ab'ner and twenty of his friends were guests of honor, Da'vid sent Ab'ner home to complete the arrangements for the treaty.
While all this was taking place, Jo'ab was away on official duty; when he returnt and heard of Ab'ner's proposal, he protested vigorously against a league of peace with the former leader of a rebellion against Da'vid. He gave as reason for his views a complete lack of faith in Ab'ner, but seems to have been prompted chiefly by the fear that this older, more renowned general might be given his place at the head of Da'vid's armies.
Darkness fell before Da'vid's men could complete their victory, and Ab'ner led his scattered forces to the top of a high hill, with Jo'ab and his army in close pursuit. The next morning a truce was proposed by Ab'ner, and both armies returnt to their homes. A state of war continued, however, and there were frequent conflicts between the followers of Da'vid and those who were loyal to the house of Saul. As time went on, the cause of Da'vid steadily gaint in power, while the followers of Ish-bo'sheth grew weaker.
Ab'ner was an ambitious politician who made use of Ish-bo'sheth in setting up a rival kingdom to that of Da'vid, but who had no real love for the son of the lamented Saul. When he saw that he was taking part in a losing cause he began to seek some excuse for deserting Ish-bo'sheth, hoping to ally himself with Da'vid. A violent quarrel with his master finally gave Ab'ner his opportunity, and it was then that he admitted his knowledge of GOD'S decree that Da'vid should be king over Is'ra-el, and that he declared his intention of turning the hearts of the people to their rightful king.
When Da'vid learnt of Ab'ner's wish to join him, he demanded as one of the conditions the immediate return of his wife Mi'chal, who had been taken from him by Saul and given to another man. Although this request no doubt was prompted by a spirit of love for Mi'chal, Da'vid may also have considered the political advantages of his remarriage to the daughter of Saul. Ish-bo'sheth yielded to this demand, and permitted Ab'ner to return Mi'chal to Da'vid, even though the man to whom she had been unlawfully married made a bitter protest.
Ab'ner then set out to win the princes of the tribes of Is'ra-el to the support of Da'vid, reminding them of their former wish to have him as their king, and of GOD'S decree in this matter. He also pointed out their need of Da'vid's help in resisting the continual raids of the Phi-lis'tines. Their consent was readily obtained, for it was only through Ab'ner's persistent efforts that Ish-bo'sheth's authority over them had been secured and maintained. The results of this appeal to the leaders of the rebellious tribes were carried to Da'vid in his court at He'bron, and plans were made for an immediate public treaty uniting the two factions. After a covenant feast at which Ab'ner and twenty of his friends were guests of honor, Da'vid sent Ab'ner home to complete the arrangements for the treaty.
While all this was taking place, Jo'ab was away on official duty; when he returnt and heard of Ab'ner's proposal, he protested vigorously against a league of peace with the former leader of a rebellion against Da'vid. He gave as reason for his views a complete lack of faith in Ab'ner, but seems to have been prompted chiefly by the fear that this older, more renowned general might be given his place at the head of Da'vid's armies.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Story 89: Da'vid's Seven Years Of Reign Over Ju'dah l
Although Da'vid had known for many years that he was eventually to become king of Is'ra-el, and though it appeared that the death of Saul had opened the way for his immediate rise to the throne, he made no move until directed by the LORD. Eight years before the death of Saul he had been anointed by Sam'u-el as the future king of the nation; for several years after that momentous occasion he had faithfully served as harpist in the royal court and as a captain in the army; for the past two years or more he had been persecuted as an outlaw and an exile; and, now that the king was dead, one would expect Da'vid to press his demand for a prompt enthronement. Both Saul and Jon'a-than had admitted that the house of Saul had been rejected by the LORD, and had told Da'vid more than once that he would be the next king. True to his usual course at critical times, however, Da'vid sought the LORD'S guidance for his next step.
The LORD not only told him to return to his native land at once, but directed him to go to the city of He'bron in the mountains of Ju'dah, which was twenty miles south of Jer-ru'sa-lem and about the same distance north of Be'er-She'ba. Taking along all his men and their families, that those who had shared his hardships might also enjoy his prosperity, Da'vid went directly to the city appointed by the LORD. Here, in that most ancient city of the world, made sacred in the days of A'bra-ham, famous as the burying place of the great patriarch, given to Ca'leb for his bravery, and situated in the heart of Ju'dah, which was the royal and Mes-si'an-ic tribe, Da'vid was made king by the people of his own tribe.
The first official act of Da'vid was to send messengers to Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad to thank the princes and nobility for their kindness in providing an honorable burial for the ashes of Saul and Jon'a-than.
It would seem to us that all Is'ra-el would have rallied to the banner of Da'vid, and that he should have been recognized at once as the rightful king of the entire land. The people must have known of GOD'S will in this matter, and the crushing defeat suffered at Gil'bo-a should have convinced them that the time had come for the Divinely appointed ruler to take his place at the head of the nation.
Some of the tribes to the north and on the east side of the Jor'dan, however, were opposed to the rule of Da'vid. Under the leadership of Ab'ner, who had commanded Saul's armies for a number of years, they refused to accept Da'vid's coronation at He'bron, choosing as their king Ish-bo'sheth, a surviving son of Saul. Thus still greater trials were brought to Da'vid, for civil war prevailed in Is'ra-el over a period of seven years. For three or four years Da'vid had refused to lead a revolt against Saul, but now that he was king he had to face the rebellion of an ambitious army captain.
Ab'ner had known Da'vid for a number of years, and seems to have felt kindly toward him at the time of his triumph over Go'li-ath. During the days of Da'vid's service as captain in Saul's armies he must have had many occasions to observe the bravery of the young hero. Even while Da'vid was in exile, and was being constantly hunted down by Saul's armies, Ab'ner had been forced to recognize the loyalty which twice led him to spare the life of the king. He well knew the nobility of Da'vid's character, and he was familiar with the Divine command that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul to that of Da'vid; yet he was responsible for the raising up of Ish-bo'sheth as a rival to Da'vid and for the civil war which followed.
The first open clash between the rebels led by Ab'ner and Da'vid's men took place at Gib'e-on, in the western part of Ben'ja-min about six miles north of Je-ru'sa-lem. Ab'ner brought over from Ish-bo'sheth's capital on the east side of the Jor'dan a great force of men, and was apparently bent on subduing Ju'dah to the rule of Ish-bo'sheth.
The LORD not only told him to return to his native land at once, but directed him to go to the city of He'bron in the mountains of Ju'dah, which was twenty miles south of Jer-ru'sa-lem and about the same distance north of Be'er-She'ba. Taking along all his men and their families, that those who had shared his hardships might also enjoy his prosperity, Da'vid went directly to the city appointed by the LORD. Here, in that most ancient city of the world, made sacred in the days of A'bra-ham, famous as the burying place of the great patriarch, given to Ca'leb for his bravery, and situated in the heart of Ju'dah, which was the royal and Mes-si'an-ic tribe, Da'vid was made king by the people of his own tribe.
The first official act of Da'vid was to send messengers to Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad to thank the princes and nobility for their kindness in providing an honorable burial for the ashes of Saul and Jon'a-than.
It would seem to us that all Is'ra-el would have rallied to the banner of Da'vid, and that he should have been recognized at once as the rightful king of the entire land. The people must have known of GOD'S will in this matter, and the crushing defeat suffered at Gil'bo-a should have convinced them that the time had come for the Divinely appointed ruler to take his place at the head of the nation.
Some of the tribes to the north and on the east side of the Jor'dan, however, were opposed to the rule of Da'vid. Under the leadership of Ab'ner, who had commanded Saul's armies for a number of years, they refused to accept Da'vid's coronation at He'bron, choosing as their king Ish-bo'sheth, a surviving son of Saul. Thus still greater trials were brought to Da'vid, for civil war prevailed in Is'ra-el over a period of seven years. For three or four years Da'vid had refused to lead a revolt against Saul, but now that he was king he had to face the rebellion of an ambitious army captain.
Ab'ner had known Da'vid for a number of years, and seems to have felt kindly toward him at the time of his triumph over Go'li-ath. During the days of Da'vid's service as captain in Saul's armies he must have had many occasions to observe the bravery of the young hero. Even while Da'vid was in exile, and was being constantly hunted down by Saul's armies, Ab'ner had been forced to recognize the loyalty which twice led him to spare the life of the king. He well knew the nobility of Da'vid's character, and he was familiar with the Divine command that the kingdom be transferred from the house of Saul to that of Da'vid; yet he was responsible for the raising up of Ish-bo'sheth as a rival to Da'vid and for the civil war which followed.
The first open clash between the rebels led by Ab'ner and Da'vid's men took place at Gib'e-on, in the western part of Ben'ja-min about six miles north of Je-ru'sa-lem. Ab'ner brought over from Ish-bo'sheth's capital on the east side of the Jor'dan a great force of men, and was apparently bent on subduing Ju'dah to the rule of Ish-bo'sheth.
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