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Important Events in David's
Reign The first and last name in the New Testament is significantly
that of Jesus Christ. The second in each case is the name of
David. This fact shows the close connection between David and
Christ and adds new emphasis to the truth already stated, that
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
Rev. 19:10. The name of David suggests royalty. He was Israel's
greatest king and a man after God's own heart.
How Israel became a Kingdom. Perhaps we should point
out that God did not originally intend for Israel to have a king
at all. Their government was designed to be theocratic, that is,
government by God. Their nation was to be a kingdom of God. God
planned to make His will known through the administration of
specially called judges and His priests. Gideon furnished an
excellent example, in Judges 8:22, 23, "Then the men of
Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou and thy
son, and thy son's son also; for thou hast delivered us from the
hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over
you, neither shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule
over you." As spirituality declined in Israel, the people
began to clamor for a king and the story of how they got their
king is told in 1 Sam. 8-12.
We are told that the sons of Samuel departed from the godly
example of their father and as Samuel grew older in years the
people confronted him with this request, "Now make us a
king to judge us like all the nations." 1 Sam. 8:5. Samuel
knew that God did not want Israel to be like other nations and
his first impulse was on of displeasure but as he prayed he got
this answer from God. "Hearken unto the voice of the people
in all that they say unto thee; for they have not rejected thee;
but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over
them." V. 7. After the coronation of Saul, Samuel spoke
concerning their decision to have a king like the nations about
them. He gave a lengthy description of how God saved them on
numerous occasions from their enemies, and ended by repeating
their request. "Ye said unto me, Nay but a king shall reign
over us; when the Lord your God was your king. Now therefore,
behold the king whom ye have chosen and whom ye have desired!
And behold, the Lord hath set a king over you…And all the
people said unto Samuel. Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy
God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this
evil, to ask us a king." 1 Sam. 12:12, 13, 19.
Despite the fact that it was not God's intention that Israel
should be a kingdom like other nations, still He accommodated
Himself to the situation and covenanted to help them if they
would serve Him. Samuel's concluding words were. "Only fear
the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for
consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall
still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your
king." V. 24, 25. It appears evident, however, that the
entire history of Israel under her kings was abhorrent to God
for He said, "I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took
him away in my wrath." Hos. 13:11.
After Saul's troubled reign came to its dismal end, David
succeeded to the throne. During the reigns of David and Solomon
the kingdom of Israel rose to its highest pinnacle of earthly
power. David's resourcefulness and courage in battle together
with his wisdom in administration made him the ideal of Israel's
kings for all time.
Prophet, Priest and King. There are many ways in which the
reign of David over Israel bears a striking resemblance to the
kingdom of God over which Christ reigns. First we learn that
both David and Christ were prophets. Acts 2:30 speaks of David
saying "Therefore being a prophet." The Psalms of
David abound in prophecies about Christ. We are told in Acts
3:22 and 7:37 that Jesus Christ is the Prophet spoken of by
Moses in Deut. 18:15. Jesus was the greatest of the prophets but
David was a great prophet.
Then, too, both David and Christ were priests. Perhaps the
most significant event in the life of David was his bringing the
ark to Jerusalem and setting it up in the tabernacle he prepared
for it. In 2 Sam. 6:14 we are told, that "David was girded
with a linen ephod." This ephod was the distinguishing
garment of the ministering priest. In 2 Sam. 6:18 we read,
"And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt
offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name
of the Lord of Hosts." So David the king, performed the
duties of the officiating priest.
All Israel went into raptures of joy on this eventful
occasion. Even David danced for joy before the Lord. 2 Sam 6:14.
It is evident that something of tremendous spiritual
significance is symbolized in this historic event. First, you
will observe that the ark was placed in the midst of the
tabernacle that David had built. This was a startling departure
from the usual custom of placing it in the inner sanctuary where
only the high priest had access to it once a year. This ark was
the symbol of God's presence and when placed in the midst of the
tabernacle, all the people had access to it without the
mediation of a priest. In other words, the traditional worship
prescribed by Moses was temporarily suspended and in its place
was something on a vastly superior spiritual plane. Little
wonder that it was accompanied with shouting and music and great
joy in Israel. For a detailed account read 2 Sam. 6 and 1 Chron.
15, and 16.
After the death of David, the temple of Solomon was built and
the ark was transferred to that beautiful shrine. The tabernacle
of David gradually fell into ruin. Its memory, however, could
not be forgotten. Spiritual Israelites cast longing eyes back to
the happy days when the ark of God was in the midst of David's
tabernacle. Many years later, the prophet Amos prophesied that
the tabernacle of David would be raised up again, from it ruins
and restored to its ancient glory. Amos 9:11.
It was to this important event that the Council at Jerusalem
referred in Acts 15:6. Some of the believing Jews maintained
that it was necessary to keep the law of Moses in order to be
saved, verse 1. The apostles deliberated for some time and then
James spoke quoting the words of Amos: "After this I will
return and build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen
down." This meant that men could come to God through faith
in Christ without keeping the Jewish ritual. Conclusive proof
that this is the correct interpretation, is apparent in the
verdict reached by the assembly. "Wherefore, (that is, in
view of the prophecy of Amos) my sentence is, that we trouble
not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to
God…forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out
from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls,
saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we
gave no such commandment." See Acts 15:19-30. On the basis
of this interpretation of Amos 9, Christianity forever shook off
the shackles of Judaism. Just as David suspended it during his
reign, so Christ "raised up the tabernacle of David"
and suspended forever the necessity of one having mediating
priests. Christ Himself is our High Priest and He offered up
Himself as a sacrifice for us and thus He became our mediator,
to stand between us and God. 1 Tim. 2:5. All mankind can come to
God through Him. "Christ being come an high priest of good
things to come…" Heb. 9:11-15. David was a great priest,
but Christ is the greatest.
Not only were both David and Christ prophets and priests but
both were also kings. David was called to the throne because he
was a man after God's own heart and elected to do God's will.
Jesus declared Himself to be a king, saying, "To this end
was I born and for this cause came I into the world." John
18:36. Both David and Christ were prophet, priest and king at
the same time, that is, they held all offices simultaneously.
But in each case, Christ exceeded David to an infinite degree.
David was inferior and for that reason he called Christ his Lord
even though according to the flesh, Christ was his son. Matt.
22:41-45. This was something the Pharisees could not understand.
Contrasts between David and Christ. While we are recounting
the similarities between David and Christ it might be in order
also to point out some of the contrasts in the nature of his
reign and that of Christ's. When David brought the ark to
Jerusalem it is recorded that he dealt to every one, "A
loaf of bread, a good piece of flesh and a flagon of wine."
1 Chron. 16:3. This was an occasion of great feasting and
tumultuous joy in Israel lasting several days. Perhaps Paul was
recalling this event when he said, "For the kingdom of God
is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace and joy in
the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14:17. The temporary carnal delights
of David's reign are superseded by the permanent spiritual
satisfactions of Christ.
Moreover, David could do little to alleviate the sufferings
of his subjects. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, known as the
Jebusites, said, "Except thou take away the blind and the
lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking David cannot come
in hither." 2 Sam. 5:6. To this David replied,
"Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the
Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's
soul, he shall be chief and captain." V. 8. This is far
removed from Christ's glorious power in causing the lame to walk
and the blind to see. The best David could do for the lame
Prince Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, was to offer him
hospitality and security in his helpless condition. David's life
is a record of war and conquest and his rule was imposed by
force of arms. We turn to Christ and find that His will is
dominant through love and the use of the sword is condemned.
David rose to lofty spiritual heights, but when tempted he fell.
Christ was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. David reigned a limited time over a territory from the
Euphrates to the Egyptian border and while this was a great
achievement, it does not compare with the myriads in every land
who owe their allegiance through succeeding generations to the
Lord Jesus Christ. Eventually, David bowed to old age and he
slept with his fathers. But with Christ, the story is gloriously
different; for death could not hold Him. He was raised up from
the dead to reign as Sovereign of the kingdom of God, and
exercise theocratic dominion over the hearts of all the
redeemed. Acts 2:25-36.
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