 Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’ ” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 At Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and at Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 8 And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. 10 And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 12 And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 And these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, 16 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. David Defeats the Philistines 17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lordhas broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer. Meditation King Jesus brings His reign of peace by conquering all of His and our enemies (WSC 26). Christians respond to this victory by living in obedience to Jesus, dispelling enemy footholds in our hearts and strongholds in our lives. David was anointed king of all Israel (finally!) and immediately targeted an enemy stronghold- Jerusalem. The Jebusites had not been dispelled by Joshua’s generation. The enemy still had had a stronghold that David confronted immediately, eventually replacing the enemy stronghold with his throne, making Jerusalem the capital of the land. The former Jebusite stronghold became the king’s seat of strength- the city of David. Christians have been “transferred into the Kingdom of God’s beloved son” (Colossians 1:13) but often allow the enemy to have a foothold in our hearts and strongholds in our lives. King Jesus commands Christians to use His Spirit to kill sinful strongholds (Romans 8:13). Obedience to king Jesus is a right response to redemption and will restore us image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). On the cross, Jesus triumphed over the enemy and evil authorities through His death so all who trust Him can walk in a newness of life- free from the authority of the enemy (Colossians 2:15). Grace gives us ground to obey king Jesus in every area of our life, His Spirit transforming sin struggles into kingdom strengths. Your permission to give the enemy a stronghold is dangerous in your discipleship. Respond to God’s grace by determining to put the Divine throne in the midst of the stronghold- Jesus is God’s anointed king! Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s narrative, especially the intentionality of David to remove the enemy from the land? -Where do you allow the enemy to have a foothold in your life or a stronghold in relationships? How is that going for you? -How does the victory of God in Jesus compel you to kill sinful areas of your heart to replace them with the rule of King Jesus, obeying Him? Take a moment to ask the Lord to help you see and remove an area of rebellion in your heart, replacing it with His throne of grace. Key Verse 6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, “You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off”—thinking, “David cannot come in here.”
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