Called From Strength To Strength

 Synopsis     2Sam 5:3-16     11/23/2018 

The elders of Israel came to David where he lived in Hebron. He was already king over the tribe of Judah. But now, the elders asked him to rule over all of Israel. So, David made a covenant with the elders. And he became king over all Israel. In this way, he ruled for a total of forty years. 

At that time, Jerusalem was an important and centralized city on the border between the tribal boundaries of Judah and Benjamin – the only two tribes to have produced a king. But dating back from the time of Joshua, the Israelites had never been able to capture the city from the Jebusites who lived there. 

So, almost immediately David went to Jerusalem to capture it. David intended to make something new. Jerusalem would be a new capital for a new kingdom. And, although the Jebusites remained defiant, David attacked them and displaced them. He took the city and set up his home in the main fortress. 

David built up the city with new fortifications. He built a new palace for his family. And he took more wives and concubines in order to build up the size of his family.  

David Went From Strength to Strength 

There was real power in becoming king over all Israel. Being king came with the power to rule the entire army of Israel. And it came with the power to tax the people. And, it also came with the power to press people into general service work.  

All of these things could easily be abused. For example, a king could indulge himself and descend into hedonism. Alternatively, a king could squander his power on military adventures. Or, he could waste his power seeking fame and notoriety.  

But David recognized that God had promised to make him king over Israel. So he invested his new powers into consolidating his throne. And he believed that his throne should become the beginning of a dynasty. Accordingly, he understood that the nation needed a capital that was more than simply the king’s home town. And he needed a family that was robust in size.  

His intention was to make Jerusalem, and the house of David, an indestructible institution that would lead the kingdom forever. And so he chose the path that led from strength to strength. He invested and gained a return on his investment.  

Called From Strength To Strength 

God has gifted every person in some unique way. And God has created every person with some potential for faith. And He has given each person some basic capacity to love. These are the beginnings of my strength.  

So, my purpose is to go from strength to strength. 

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’” Matt 25:21