2 Samuel 2 - Introduction

SECTION 6. David And His House Are Established And He Is Promised That His Kingship Through His Seed Will Be For Ever (5:6-10:19).

In this section we will see how David's rule is established far and wide as the nations come in submission to him, some voluntarily, others as a result of being overcome. It covers the whole of his reign in a series of vignettes which demonstrate his widespread glory, and builds up to YHWH's promise that the kingship of his house will last for ever. But their order is not chronological, but topical. They are a depiction of David's growing greatness and power, leading up to the guarantee that the kingship of his house will last for ever, and a description of the defeat of his most powerful enemies. Thus:

1). David initially purified Israel. He removed the one remaining specifically Canaanite bastion which was situated right in the middle of his kingdom, thus making clear the triumph of Yahwism, and the fact of the purifying of the land. At the same time he replaced the idolatrous king-priest of Jerusalem by establishing himself as YHWH's priest-king over Jerusalem. He would see this as what Mechi-zedek had been before him when he had been ‘the priest of the Most High God' who had ministered to Abraham. The idea was therefore based on a hallowed tradition (see Genesis 14:18). Like Judah previously (Judges 1:7) David had already shown his reverence for Jerusalem when he had brought the head of Goliath there (1 Samuel 17:54). This would either have been because he was patterning his behaviour on that of Abraham who had paid tithes to Jerusalem after his victory (Genesis 14:18) or because the tradition had grown up that saw Jerusalem as having been built on the mountains of Moriah, where Abraham had offered up Isaac (see 2 Chronicles 3:1). This reception of an ancient, traditionally respectable, priesthood would add a new religious dimension to his reign. Now David could be seen as lord over the whole land and as the nation's intercessory priest, with the priests and Levites fulfilling their duties in accordance with the Law subject to his priestly control as priest of the Most High God (see 1 Chronicles 9:10; 1 Chronicles 15:16), something which he took advantage of in setting up the worship at the Tabernacle and Tent of Meeting (e.g. 1 Chronicles 9:23; 1 Chronicles 15:16).

2). David's Kingship was seen as established because he dwelt in a house of cedar. David's palace was built for him by the ‘princes' of palace building, the Tyrians, in a clear act of treaty friendship from the greatest maritime nation in the world, which was thereby demonstrating its respect for David. Like the greatest of kings David now dwelt in a house of cedar. YHWH had upraised him so that he might join them in their glory. But we should recognise that this is symbolically preparatory for the even better ‘house' that YHWH has destined for David (2 Samuel 7).

3). David produced a prolific number of sons and daughters. This was something seen in those days as very necessary to a great king, and as demonstrating the blessing of YHWH. David thus had a quiver full of children demonstrating that he was blessed by God (Psalms 127:5).

4). David triumphed over the Philistines twice, driving them back and routing them, while at the same time seizing their gods which he himself takes possession of (and burns), thus demonstrating to all the superiority of YHWH. It fully avenges the time when the Philistines had previously seized the Ark of God, and had publicly displayed it (1 Samuel 5-7). Now David was again the Smiter of the Philistines.

5). Having taken Jerusalem David brought the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH, the Ark of The Name of Him Who sits between the Cherubim, into Jerusalem and established it in its own special Tent as an indication that from now on this was to be where YHWH symbolically dwelt and ruled, making Jerusalem YHWH's royal city with David as His intercessory priest-king. David was thus revealed as YHWH's triumphant War-leader and Prince who by YHWH's power had established YHWH as King in Jerusalem.

6). The house of Saul loses its final opportunity of participating in the blessing as a result of Michal's barrenness resulting from her attitude towards David's worship of YHWH.

7). David's ‘House' (his dynasty) was to be established for ever in its place in the purposes of God, something which will culminate in the everlasting king over the everlasting kingdom (e.g. Gen 49:10-12; 1 Samuel 2:10; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:1; Ezekiel 37:25; Daniel 7:13; Psalms 2:7). The reign of David's house was thus to be everlasting.

8). David exercises his priestly ministry in a prayer of thanksgiving to YHWH.

9). Through the help and power of YHWH David triumphs over all who oppose him bringing wealth into the Tabernacle and greatness to his name.

10). David's sons themselves become priests.

11). David fulfils his promise to Jonathan and establishes his son both in his ancestral lands and at the royal court, thus showing favour to the house of Saul for Jonathan's sake as he had promised. In contrast with Michal Mephibosheth has a son, demonstrating YHWH's compassion on what remains of the house of Saul.

12). David defeats the greatest current threat to Israel by defeating the Aramaean Empires and rendering their kings harmless.

It must be noted that underlying what is described here, and indeed underlying the whole Davidic narrative, are the words, ‘And the Spirit of YHWH came on David from that day forward' (1 Samuel 16:13). That was the reason why David was so continually successful and what enabled him to glorify YHWH in all aspects of life. (And it was that same Spirit Who would later empower the everlasting King).

We can thus analyse this Section as follows:

Analysis.

a David Reacts To Taunts And Captures Jerusalem Thus Purifying And Uniting The Land (2 Samuel 5:6).

b Hiram Builds David A House Of Cedar Which Demonstrates the Establishment Of His House And Kingship On Behalf Of God's People (2 Samuel 5:11).

c David Bears Many Sons (2 Samuel 5:13).

d David Utterly Defeats The Philistines Releasing Their Grip For Ever On Israel (2 Samuel 5:17).

e David Brings The Ark Of God Containing the Covenant Into Jerusalem With Rejoicing Expressing His Love For And Dedication To YHWH (2 Samuel 6:1).

f Michal Expresses Her Disgust At David's Behaviour Resulting In The Barrenness Of The House Of Saul (2 Samuel 6:20).

g David Wishes To Build A House Of Cedar For YHWH And Learns That YHWH Is Above Houses Of Cedar (2 Samuel 7:1).

f The House Of David Is To Be Fruitful Result In An Everlasting Kingship (2 Samuel 7:8).

e David's Prayer Expresses His Gratitude To YHWH For All His Goodness (2 Samuel 7:18).

d David Utterly Defeats All His Enemies Round About Freeing Israel From The Threat Of Invasion (2 Samuel 8:1).

c David's Sons Become ‘Priests' (2 Samuel 8:16).

b David Establishes The House Of Saul By Receiving Jonathan's Son At Court and Giving Him Back His Ancestral Lands (2 Samuel 9:1).

a David Reacts To Taunts And Defeats The Greater Powers Who Threaten His Borders Thus Establishing The Land (2 Samuel 10:1).

The Restoration Of The Wealth Of The House Of Saul And Jonathan In The Person of Jonathan's Son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:1).

While it has been made clear by the barrenness of Michal that YHWH had fully removed the kingship from even an indirect connection with the house of Saul for ever, it was fitting on the other hand that David should remember his covenant with Jonathan, and that YHWH should thereby show genuine compassion towards Saul's descendants. Man of blood David may have been. But this story confirms that he was both loyal and true, and that he could show great magnanimity towards those who were willing to respond rightly towards him, just as he looked to YHWH to show great magnanimity towards him.

The story, (which is in direct contrast to that in 2 Samuel 10), commences with David making an attempt to seek out any member of the house of Saul in order that he might ‘show him kindness for Jonathan's sake'. (Compare how in 2 Samuel 10:2 he wanted to show the king of Ammon kindness for his father's sake). It may at first sight appear strange that David was not aware of what descendants of Saul remained, but what that does testify to is firstly David's lack off vindictiveness and total confidence in his own position, and secondly to the fact that those who had Mephibosheth's interests at heart had not wanted to draw David's attention to a Saulide who might be seen as a possible contender for the throne (in the hands of unscrupulous men) and have to be ‘got rid of'. They could so easily have sought to claim Saul's lands back for Mephibosheth. But it is apparent that they had not. Furthermore Mephibosheth's lameness would also have contributed to his being kept out of the limelight, for in those days the lame were looked on both with pity and contempt (compare 2 Samuel 5:6) and attention would not have been drawn to him. In the circumstances it was to the great credit of Machir that he was concerning himself with Mephibosheth's safety and wellbeing.

The story then goes on to show how David not only restores to Mephibosheth all Saul's lands, but even more importantly in many ways, invites him to sit among his sons at the king's table. It made evident the fact that he felt totally secure in his own position, and that his love for Jonathan, and the commitment that he had made to him, had not in any way diminished (1 Samuel 20:15). He was loyal to the end. Many a king in those days would have considered that exterminating those of his rival's house took precedence even over a sworn covenant.

It will be noted that in the section chiasmus above this incident parallels that which demonstrated YHWH's establishment of David's kingship and David's receipt of a house of cedar. In the same way as David had received a house of cedar from YHWH, so Mephibosheth receives back his lands and his name, and is established at the royal court ‘for Jonathan's sake'.

We find here a beautiful picture of the love of Jesus Christ for us. Like Mephibosheth we are ‘lame in both our feet', but our Lord Jesus Christ not only came to redeem us back to Himself at the cost of His blood, but also promised that we would sit with Him at the King's Table, yes, and even that, once we are there, He Himself will act as our servant and feed us at that table (Luke 12:37; Matthew 20:25). It is because of what He has done for us that our heavenly Father shows us kindness ‘for Jesus' sake'.

Analysis.

a And David said, “Is there yet any who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1).

b And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “Your servant is he” (2 Samuel 9:2).

c And the king said, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” And Ziba said to the king, “Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame of his feet” (2 Samuel 9:3).

d And the king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.” Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar (2 Samuel 9:4).

e And Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, and fell on his face, and did obeisance. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he answered, “Behold, your servant!” (2 Samuel 9:6).

f And David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat bread at my table continually” (2 Samuel 9:7).

e And he did obeisance, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look on such a dead dog as I am?” (2 Samuel 9:8).

d Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that pertains to Saul and to all his house have I given to your master's son. And you shall work the land for him, you, and your sons, and your servants, and you shall bring in the fruits, that your master's son may have bread to eat, but Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread always at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants (2 Samuel 9:9).

c Then said Ziba to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so shall your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons” (2 Samuel 9:11).

b And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:12).

a So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet (2 Samuel 9:13).

Note that in ‘a' David wishes to show kindness to the house of Jonathan, and in the parallel he does so. In ‘b' we learn of Ziba the servant of Saul, and in the parallel he becomes servant to Mephibosheth. In ‘c' we learn of Jonathan's son who is lame in both his feet, and in the parallel David seats him at the king's table ‘as one of the king's sons'. In ‘d' David graciously fetches Mephibosheth from Lo-Debar and in the parallel he establishes him and gives him all that had pertained to the house of Saul. In ‘e' Mephibosheth makes his obeisance to David, and in the parallel he does the same. Centrally in ‘f'' David declares how he will show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.