2 Samuel

2 Samuel 5: The LORD makes David king

Begin in prayer

Before we read about David becoming king over all Israel, let us come to the LORD together. Ask Him to be our refuge in every task, and to lead us as He led His chosen king.

Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.

Psalm 28:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You made David king over all Israel and were with him. Help us to trust Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in every task. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

All the tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron and make a covenant with him. They anoint him king over Israel, and he reigns over Judah and Israel for forty years. David takes the stronghold of Zion and calls it the City of David. Hiram king of Tyre sends cedar, carpenters and masons to build David a house. When the Philistines come to the valley of Rephaim, David asks the LORD, and the LORD gives him victory. David strikes the Philistines all the way from Geba to Gezer.

As you read 2 Samuel 5, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD makes David king over all Israel, and He is with him.

For years David reigned over Judah alone, while Saul’s son held the rest of Israel (2 Samuel 2 verses 4 and 10). After Ish-bosheth died, all the tribes came to David at Hebron (verse 1). They remember that the LORD had said David would shepherd His people (verse 2). So the elders make a covenant with him before the LORD, and they anoint him king (verse 3). He takes the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and calls it the City of David (verses 6 and 7). The text says he grew greater and greater, because the LORD of Armies was with him (verse 10). Twice the Philistines come to fight, and each time David asks the LORD first (verses 19 and 23). The LORD goes out before him, and the Philistines are struck down (verses 20 and 24). Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep (John 10 verse 11).

How does 2 Samuel 5 show us that the LORD makes David king over all Israel, and that He is with him?

All Israel makes David shepherd and king, and Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

The tribes say David is their own bone and flesh, and he had led Israel out and in (verses 1 and 2). The LORD had said he would shepherd His people Israel (verse 2). The elders make a covenant with him before the LORD, and they anoint him king (verse 3). Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep (John 10 verse 11).

David takes Zion, and the LORD makes him greater.

The Jebusites mock David, but he takes the stronghold of Zion (verses 6 and 7). He calls it the City of David, and he builds around it (verse 9). The text says that the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him, and he grew greater and greater (verse 10). Hiram king of Tyre sends cedar and builders, and David knows the LORD has made him king (verses 11 and 12).

The LORD gives David victory over the Philistines.

David asks the LORD whether to go up against the Philistines, and the LORD tells him to go up (verse 19). David strikes them at Baal Perazim and says that the LORD has broken his enemies (verse 20). The Philistines come again, and David asks again (verse 23). He waits for the sound in the mulberry trees, because the LORD goes out before him (verse 24).

Memorise

David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of Armies, was with him.

2 Samuel 5:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who leads me each day, and does Jesus the Good Shepherd lead me?

All the tribes came to David at Hebron, and they made him king over Israel. The LORD had said David would shepherd His people, and the LORD was with him. Israel still needed a greater Shepherd, and that Shepherd is Jesus, the Son of David.

Jesus said that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. That is what He did on the cross, once for all, for His sheep. He rose from the grave, and He is alive, and He leads His people to the Father.

So come to Him, the Shepherd who gave His life. Turn from your sin and trust Him. He keeps every sheep who comes to Him, and their sins are forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD made David king, and that the LORD was with him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is with His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.

Psalm 28:6

Lord God, thank You that You make Your King strong, and that You are with Your people. Please lead each person here to turn from sin and trust Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Help us to trust You in every task this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.