David Rules All Israel

INTRODUCTION: The kingdom will finally come under the rule of David, but not before his character is tested; as once again, men think the death of a member of Saul’s family will bring pleasure to the new king.

1. TWO MEN ASSASSINATE ISH-BOSHETH (2 Samuel 4:1-8)
1. The Situation in Israel (2 Samuel 4:1-4)
1. They receive the news of Abners death (2 Samuel 4:1).
1. Ish-bosheths hands are feeble.
2. All Israel is troubled.
2. Ish-bosheths captains of bands (2 Samuel 4:2-3)
1. Baanah and Rechab
2. Both sons of Rimmon
3. Of the Beerothites
1. After Beeroth, a city allotted to Benjamin (Joshua 18:25)
2. At some point, the Beerothites fled to Gittaim (2 Samuel 4:3), another city of Benjamin (Nehemiah 11:33), possibly fleeing the Philistines.
3. Jonathans son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4)
1. Five years old at the death of his father and grandfather
2. In fleeing the Philistines, he fell and became lame.
2. The Assassination of Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:5-6)
1. Ish-bosheth slept at noon (2 Samuel 4:5).
2. The sons of Rimmon pretend to fetch wheat (2 Samuel 4:6).
3. They kill Ish-bosheth, smiting him under the fifth rib (2 Samuel 4:6).
3. The Escape to King David (2 Samuel 4:7-8)
1. They behead Ish-bosheth (2 Samuel 4:7).
2. They escape across the plain by night (2 Samuel 4:7).
3. They bring the head to David (2 Samuel 4:8).
4. They proclaim vengeance on Davids enemies (2 Samuel 4:8).
2. DAVID EXECUTES THE ASSASSINS (2 Samuel 4:9-12)
1. David Replies to the Men (2 Samuel 4:9-11).
1. I slew the man who claimed to kill Saul (2 Samuel 4:9-10).
2. Shall I not require this blood of you (2 Samuel 4:11)?
1. He was righteous.
2. He was in his own house.
3. He was on his own bed.
2. David Has the Men Slain (2 Samuel 4:12).
1. They cut off their hands and feet.
2. They hang them over the pool in Hebron.
3. They properly bury the head of Ish-bosheth with Abner.
3. ALL ISRAEL ACCEPTS DAVID AS KING (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
1. Israel Anoints David as King (2 Samuel 5:1-3).
1. Israel points out their kinship with David (2 Samuel 5:1).
2. Israel accepts the prophecy concerning David (2 Samuel 5:2; 1 Samuel 16:1, 12).
3. The elders of Israel make a league with David (2 Samuel 5:3).
4. The elders of Israel anoint David as their king (2 Samuel 5:3).
2. The Summary of Davids Reign (2 Samuel 5:4-5)
1. Begins to reign at thirty (2 Samuel 5:4)
2. Reigns for forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5)
1. 7 ½ years in Hebron over Judah (2 Samuel 5:5)
2. 33 years in Jerusalem over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:5)
4. DAVID TAKES JERUSALEM AS HIS CAPITAL (2 Samuel 5:6-9)
1. David Takes the Stronghold of Zion (2 Samuel 5:6-7).
1. He brings the armies of Israel to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6; 1 Chronicles 11:4).
2. The Jebusites declare their city invincible (2 Samuel 5:6; 1 Chronicles 11:5).
3. David takes the stronghold which is called the city of David (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:5, 7).
2. David Promises the Victor a Captainship (2 Samuel 5:8; 1 Chronicles 11:6).
3. David Builds Up around the City Castle (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Chronicles 11:8).
5. DAVID ESTABLISHES HIMSELF IN JERUSALEM (2 Samuel 5:10-16)
1. David Is Greatly Blessed by God (2 Samuel 5:10-12).
1. David goes on and grows greatly (2 Samuel 5:10).
2. Hiram builds David a house (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1).
3. David recognizes Gods blessing (2 Samuel 5:12; 1 Chronicles 14:2).
2. David Expands His Family (2 Samuel 5:13-16).
1. With more wives and concubines (2 Samuel 5:13)
2. With more sons and daughters (2 Samuel 5:14-16)
6. DAVID DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES IN REPHAIM (2 Samuel 5:17-25; see 1 Chronicles 14:8-17)
1. The First Battle (2 Samuel 5:17-21)
1. The Philistines hear that David is king (2 Samuel 5:17).
2. They spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:18).
3. David gets Gods approval before going to battle (2 Samuel 5:19).
4. David defeats the Philistines in Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:20).
5. David and his men burn their images (2 Samuel 5:21).
2. The Second Battle (2 Samuel 5:22-25)
1. The Philistines come to Rephaim again (2 Samuel 5:22).
2. David enquires again and receives new instructions (2 Samuel 5:23-24).
1. Circle around behind them (2 Samuel 5:23).
2. Come over against the mulberry trees (2 Samuel 5:23).
3. Wait for the sound in the tops of the trees (2 Samuel 5:24).
4. Then get up and attack (2 Samuel 5:24).
5. NOTE: Most of us would have assumed that the same problem (Philistines in the valley of Rephaim) would have been solved by the same solution (frontal attack). We might not have enquired of God the second time around. But that would have been a grave error for David. Gods ways are not our ways and we must always be seeking and listening to the will of God in our lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).
3. God gives David the victory (2 Samuel 5:25).
1. David is obedient.
2. David smites the Philistines.

CONCLUSION: The early days of David’s reign leave no question as to why he is called a man after God’s own heart. He is glorious in character and glorious in battle.