The early chapters of 1 Samuel set down a solid foundation upon which David’s kingship over all Israel would blossom into its golden age. His musical gifts were celebrated, and led in due course to the inaccurate assumption that he composed the book of Psalms. His shrewd ability to deal with complex situations allowed him to stem the Philistine conquest, and become accepted as king over both Israel and Judah.
Perhaps his most significant action at this point was the conquest of Jerusalem, which up to this point had remained a stronghold of the former Canaanite inhabitants of the area, the Jebusites. Occupying a neutral position regarding the two tribal entities, Israel and Judah, Jerusalem became established as a secure capital – known in succeeding ages as ‘the city of David’. After some further battles with the Philistines David dealt them a final decisive blow at the battle of the Valley of Rephaim (2 Sam. 5:22-25). Tables were turned on them, and they now became David’s vassals.
David’s next major diplomatic stroke concerned religious matters. First he brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, placing it in a tent specially constructed for it. His conduct during the transferal ceremony was characteristic of his enthusiasm for the Lord (2 Sam. 6:16), even if frowned upon by his wife, Michal. David had sought to build a temple to house the ark, but was told by the Lord via the court prophet Nathan that this would be done by his son and heir.
The content of this interchange in its present form probably contains later elaboration (2 Sam. 7). But the early substratum is highly significant for the messianic seeds it contains, in particular for its promise of an everlasting Davidic dynasty: ‘Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever’. More focus will be given to this theme next month in the context of Advent and Christmas fulfilment. At this point in his reign the main significance of this chapter lies in David’s combination of religion and politics in his kingdom.
After conquering Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and having made treaties with other political entities, David became the undisputed master from Egypt to the Euphrates. Part of his success lay in the fact that there was no other formidable power elsewhere during his era. Thus, he became the most powerful ruler of the world in his day.
However, at the height of this success comes the Bathsheba affair (2 Sam. 11:1-12:25). This story is one of the best known incidents in David’s life. Having seen Bathsheba bathing from his rooftop, he sends for her. Her husband Uriah is away serving on the battle front. Bathsheba becomes pregnant, and David then sends for Uriah, hoping to pass off the child as Uriah’s. When Uriah does not co-operate, he is sent back to the most dangerous part of the battle front where certain death awaits him. Thus David at the pinnacle of his career is guilty not just of adultery, but also of deceit and ultimately the murder of Uriah. David, challenged by Nathan by means of a pithy parable, acknowledges his guilt, does repentance, and marries the pregnant Bathsheba. The child dies, but sometime later Bathsheba has another child, Solomon, who eventually succeeds David. What is amazing about this story is not so much what David did, but that this narrative of his wrongdoing was allowed into the Bible, given David’s overall high profile.
The remaining chapters of 2 Samuel cover what is often called ‘the Succession Narrative’. It details the intrigue, murder and disarray within David’s family as various sons attempt to establish their status as successor. First Absalom murders his half-brother for the rape the latter had inflicted on Tamara, Absalom’s sister. Then Absalom flees, but on being allowed back into the family, begins plotting to usurp his father’s throne. This he succeeds in doing for a short while. There is a pathetic picture drawn in 2 Sam. 19 of a weeping David fleeing his city to escape from Absalom’s coup d’état.
After Absalom is murdered by Joab, David’s army commander, David returns sadly to Jerusalem, mourning his son Absalom. And so the intrigue continues with some more abortive attempts to seek power until eventually Bathsheba intervenes to remind an aged David that it is her son, Solomon, who ‘is to sit upon the throne’ (1 Kgs.1:30).
After a forty-year reign over Judah, and a thirty-three-year reign over Israel, David died. The Chronicler says: ‘He died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour’ (1 Chr.29:28). A reasonably accurate summary, apart from honour in one particular incident – Bathsheba! David’s early life had certainly been filled with honour. His dignified demeanour at Saul’s court was beyond reproach. When his life was in danger he dealt with this in a seemly manner, nor did he attempt reprisals against Saul. He was consistently loyal to his king.
That David was a great warrior is shown not only by his many conquests but also in the way he organized and deployed his forces. His shrewdness as a politician is demonstrated by the personal unions he formed with Judah, Israel, Jerusalem and other political entities. David was a great organiser; this is demonstrated in the development of his military machine and in his reorganisation of his vast territories in line with needs. It is as an engineer of an empire, and as a warrior-hero with a grippingly tragic dimension, that David has imprinted himself on Western culture.
That David was a deeply religious person is confirmed by every stratum of the tradition. The story of his ready repentance when confronted by the prophet Nathan in connection with the Bathsheba affair fits in quite well with this incident. His grief at the death of Absalom is very poignant, for he had given Joab and his soldiers instructions not to harm the lad, even though he was fleeing from Absalom. David is generally shown as consulting the LORD before embarking on his various projects.
Finally, the stories of David tell us over and over again that he was a poet and musician of note. However, it is above all as the greatest messianic prototype of the entire Old Testament that he is remembered and celebrated in the New Testament fulfilment. This theme will be explored in greater depth next month as we prepare for Christmas and the birth in Bethlehem of the Messiah, son of David, son of God.