The Life of David: From Shepherd to King: Part 3

Notes from Bible Study Sep 18, 24:

Recap: What does God look for in a leader? Humility Bravery and Faithfulness

What did we talk about last week?

Courage 

Where does courage stem from? Support, resilience, purpose, experience What happened last time? Saul became jealous of David's victories and success, thus he tried to kill David. David had an opportunity to kill Saul in retaliation and chose to spare his life. Saul was completely humbled into submission and the two men made a trues to not kill each other.

• Passages:

  • 2 Samuel 1:1-16 (David’s reaction to Saul’s death)

  • 2 Samuel 2:1-7 (David becomes King of Judah)

  • 2 Samuel 5:1-12 (David becomes King over all Israel and establishes Jerusalem)

• Key Notes of the passages:

  • Saul's 'killer' returns to David claiming he gave Saul mercy.

  • This angers David and he kill the man

  • David faces challenges listed below and establishes Jerusalem as the capital

  • David ask if God would like a house/shrine/temple built just for them

  • God says no and gives a prophecy of the future of people of Isreal

• Message From God to his people:

  • 2 Samuel7“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne will be established forever.’”

    
    

    ** youth played a game of being separate tribes and taking turns being David

    What were the key challenges David faced in establishing his reign over Judah?

    1. Political Rivalries: After the death of King Saul, David's claim to the throne was not universally accepted. Saul's remaining supporters, particularly those loyal to Saul's son Ish-bosheth, challenged David’s authority. This led to a period of civil war and political fragmentation.

    2. Military Conflicts: David had to navigate numerous military conflicts. His reign was marked by battles against the Philistines and other neighboring enemies. He had to consolidate his power through successful military campaigns while also dealing with internal dissent and rebellion.

    3. Tribal Alliances: Judah was just one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and David needed to gain the support of the other tribes to unify the kingdom. His success in this endeavor came after a period of political maneuvering and strategic alliances.

    4. Legitimacy and Acceptance: As a king from the tribe of Judah, David needed to gain legitimacy and acceptance from the other tribes of Israel. This required him to demonstrate effective leadership and secure his position through both military success and diplomacy.

    5. Internal Dissent: David’s rise was accompanied by internal challenges, including dissent from within his own tribe and family. His leadership was tested by various rebellions, such as the one led by his son Absalom, which threatened his reign and required substantial effort to suppress.

    6. Administrative Challenges: Establishing a centralized administration and governance structure was crucial for David. He had to build an effective bureaucracy and integrate various tribal systems into a cohesive administrative framework.

    7. Securing Jerusalem: David's capture of Jerusalem and making it the political and spiritual center of his kingdom was a strategic move that helped consolidate his power. However, this also involved overcoming the Jebusites who controlled the city at the time and integrating it into his rule.