“So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia, And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet” (2 Samuel 5:9-16).
Introduction
In these verses we find David establishing himself as king in Israel’s new capital city. We find him building his house and extending his household. In this study we will take a look at both aspects of his building project. This work would not go unnoticed by the Philistines, as we shall see in our next study.
The city
The “fort” is the city of Jerusalem which was a “rock-fortress” (B. Dale). Jerusalem would be David’s capital city and stronghold. David had to be careful not to alienate either of the now united factions that made up the nation, so since Jerusalem was on the border with Judah and Israel both they and Israel would accept his choice, even though it was part of the tribe of Benjamin’s territory (Joshua 18:28). Later it would become known as “David’s City” and “Zion”. “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:1-2). It is doubtful that there was any element of pride in calling Jerusalem by David’s name. Probably it simply indicated that he was the one God used to conquer the city. This designation continued into the New Testament (Luke 2:4, 11) and to the present day in a popular Christmas carol.
The construction
David began a building project to improve and extend the city. This included building a palace for himself. It is likely that Jerusalem had suffered the consequences of many attacks throughout the centuries, so repair work was needed to enhance its defences. It seems that David himself was the overseer of this work, while Joab’s responsibility was to repair the rest of the city. “And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city” (1 Chronicles 11:8). “Millo - Which seems to have been the town hall or, statehouse, near the wall of the city of Zion” (John Wesley). “Millo was perhaps the principal corner tower of that fortified wall” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary).
Also, as noted in the text, David created trade routes to bring in timber and stone to build the city and his palace. This in turn increased the wealth of Israel dramatically. Hiram, the king of Tyre, was delighted to play his part in building up Jerusalem, and would later provide the materials and labour to construct the Temple under Solomon’s reign. The Philistines were the enemy of both Israel and Tyre, so good international relations between both countries was important.
The Concubines
David also took more concubines and wives, and so
increased his household both with adults and children. We have already noted
David’s polygamy and that it can never be condoned. “It
seems to have been his policy, that hereby he might enlarge his family, and
strengthen his interest by alliances with so many considerable families” (John
Wesley). This would prove to be a curse instead of a blessing to him. His
polygamy, and the offspring it produced, did not advance David’s kingdom in
the slightest, but caused him much heartache and problems in later years. It
seems that he had bought into the worldly idea that several wives and countless
children made him a real king, for an oriental monarch was valued by the size of
the harem as well as his wealth. Adopting the ways of the world to extend
God’s Kingdom always ends in disaster. “Except
the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD
keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1). “David
transgressed an express law, which forbade the king of Israel to multiply wives
unto himself” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary). “Neither
shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away” (Deuteronomy
17:17). “David's family multiplied and increased … Shall we praise him for
this? We praise him not; we justify him not; nor can we scarcely excuse him …
David had many wives, and yet that did not keep him from coveting his
neighbour's wife and defiling her; for men that have once broken the fence will
wander endlessly” (Matthew Henry).
Conclusion
We see the wise and unwise actions of David here. On the one hand he is doing exactly what the Lord intended, but on the other he was following his own fleshly motives. One would turn out to be a rich blessing, while the other would be a devastating curse. Here is a man who is trying to live in both camps only to eventually be afflicted by the bad choices in his life. Nevertheless, our text tells us that the Lord was with David to bless and guide him. “And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel” (1 Chronicles 14:2).
© 1/3/2010