Leslie M. John
David depended upon God before waging wars. Before he went for war against Philistines he enquired of the Lord saying ”Shall I go up to the Philistines?” and God asked him to go ahead.
”And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand” (2 Samuel 5:19)
David not only put an end to Philistines who troubled the children of Israel but he also defeated Moabites. He also defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobab and recovered his border at the river Euphrates. David smote Syrians and they became servants to David and brought gifts. Edomites also became servants of David and the Almighty God preserved David wherever he went. (2 Samuel 8:14)
David dedicated unto God the silver and gold that he had from all nations which he subdued. David’s administration and organization was excellent. David administered judgment and justice to all people. (2 Samuel 8:11,15 and 18)
”And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15)
King David’s sincere worship of God is seen in many references. He thought of building a temple for God but God allowed his son Solomon to build the temple at Jerusalem.
Speaking to Solomon David said that it was in his mind to build a house unto the name of God, but God said to him that David had shed blood abundantly upon the earth in His sight, and made great wars, and, therefore, he should not build a house unto His name.
God said that his son Solomon would build a house unto the name of the Lord. God promised that He would establish Solomon’s throne for ever over Israel. He wished that God may give wisdom and understanding to Solomon to keep the law of the Lord. David assured Solomon that if he kept the law of the Lord, he would prosper. He encouraged his son to be of good courage, not to dread, or dismayed. David helped him and said:
”Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto” (1 Chronicles 22:14)
God honors who honor him. God blessed David and Solomon abundantly.
”And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”. (Acts 13:22)