The evidence that God had established David’s kingdom as He had promised was in King Hiram’s sending messengers and cedar trees to David. Hiram would have been prestigious among Mediterranean kings because he ruled over the nation that was the commercial leader of its day, as the U.S. is today. That he had riches enough to send some of those valued cedar trees to another king showed his status and wealth. Isn’t it interesting that David needs no introduction today, while Hiram does?
David’s taking more concubines was one of the typically king-like actions the Law forbid. We see consequences of that disobedience throughout the rest of David’s life. One consequence is seen in Michal’s despising him. Remember how much she had loved him?
The Philistines’ leaving their idols behind as they fled before the Israelites in battle was another significant indicator that God was with them and was solidly establishing David’s kingdom. Remember another battle when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines?
David made the relocation of the Ark of the Covenant a celebration of celebrations: musicians to play music to add joy to the occasion, everyone in the nation assembled. This experience was the beginning of his instituting music as part of their worship services. Note that the music wasn’t commanded by God, but who would know better what would please God than the man after God’s own heart? As a musician he would know good musicians, and offered the best of them prestigious positions “expressly… to give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever.” If we want to delight God in our worship, music needs to be part of it, and so does giving thanks to Him for His steadfast and enduring love.
Another interesting story in today’s reading is the process David followed to move the Ark of the Covenant from where it had been housed since it was recovered from the Philistines. He consulted with his army commanders and every leader, and all the assembly of Israel – but not God. This warrior consulted God about whether he should confront the enemy, and followed God’s direction to win great battles, but he failed to consult God about moving the Ark, and didn’t even follow the directions given to the first people who ever carried the Ark. Everyone agreed it was a good idea, and likely they felt good about doing this good thing – yet God was not consulted. God obviously had ideas of His own. Whose ideas matter the most? Do you suppose we do the same in our endeavors to serve and honor God? Do we think our ideas are so great that we don’t need to consult God as we make our plans? The consequence in David’s case was deadly; what kind of consequences do we suffer, do others suffer, because we fail to consult God or follow the directions He has already given us? “These things happened to them as examples and are written down as warnings for us….”