SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.—David's reign as king brought the people to the place of their greatest national success, and David's reign and that of Solomon were politically the best in all Israel's history. David was signally honored in becoming an ancestor of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The United Kingdom. Saul, David, Solomon
55. Israel Asks for a King.—Ostensibly because Samuel's sons were worthless men, but also and largely because they wished to be "like the nations around them," Israel asked the prophet Samuel to appoint a king over them. This Samuel was reluctant to do. But commanded by God to acquiesce, he anointed Saul, the son of Kish, to be king over Israel. That God did not consider the change from government by judges to government by kings to be an improvement, is apparent from his saying, "they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them" (1 Sam. 8:7).
56. The First King, Saul.—Saul found the nation somewhat disorganized, and split into many factions. His task was to unite the people, so that they could show a bold and successful front against their foes. Prominent among these foes were the Philistines, who lived on the southwest of Israel, and who were a courageous and persistent folk. In all this work Saul was somewhat successful. He began well, but before very long, owing to self-will, he swerved aside from the advice of the aged Samuel. During his reign the great war with the Philistines took place in which Goliath and David figured so dramatically (1 Sam. 17).
57. Saul's evil disposition grew worse and worse, showing itself in his twice-repeated effort to kill David and his one effort to kill his own son Jonathan for his friendship for David (see 1 Sam. 18:10, 11; 19:10; 20:32, 33). On account of his distinct disobedience to God's command, and his hypocrisy, God rejected him from being king (1 Sam. 15). Still Saul continued to rule for some years. Then came the end when, in battle with his old foes, the Philistines, Saul and his sons fell, near Mount Gilboa (1 Sam. 31). He ruled about forty years, and was a sad instance of a man who began well, who had a superb counselor in Samuel, but who, through self-will and disobedience, perished at last most miserably.
58. David Becomes King.—After the death of Saul, Judah turned to David as its rightful leader and king. He was therefore anointed at Hebron as king of Judah. Seven years later the remainder of the tribes came to him and asked him to rule over them. This he did, and in this way he was king over all Israel for thirty-three years. His remarkable character and executive ability soon showed itself. His reign was most successful, and he enlarged the bounds of the kingdom to their utmost extent. It extended from the Red Sea and Egypt to the Euphrates, as promised by God (Gen. 15:18 and Josh. 1:4). He captured Jerusalem and made it the political and the religious capital of the nation (2 Sam. 5:6-9). Thither he brought up the Ark of the Covenant, and here he established the worship of Jehovah. He organized the whole of the ritual of worship, and formed choirs of singers to make a glad noise unto the Lord. Everywhere he brought order out of chaos, and made the name of Israel one to be feared by the surrounding nations. Thus to the Israelite both of his day and of subsequent centuries he became their ideal king.
59. His later life was saddened by his own sin in the matter of Uriah and Bathsheba, where he erred most grievously. In recalling this sin, and in condemning the king for it, we must also bear in mind his true repentance, and also recognize that in his time there was no king who would have thought it worth while to give a second thought to the whole matter (see 2 Sam. 11:1-12:14).
60. The Rebellion of Absalom.—The end of David's life was further embittered by the rebellion of his favorite son, Absalom. This nearly brought David to a violent death. Only the indomitable spirit that the king possessed, together with the ability of his chief general Joab, saved the day (2 Sam. 15-18). David was Israel's sweet singer. He composed many Psalms, which have come down to us as specimens of his poetic ability. (The writer is, of course, aware that some modern critics deny that any of the Psalms are by David, but he has never seen any conclusive proof of this.)
61. In general, until his later years, when too much prosperity had dulled his spiritual life, David's character was singularly pure and unselfish. His dealings with Saul while the latter was seeking his life show a most chivalrous spirit, in that twice he spared his enemy's life when he had him in his power (1 Sam. 24:1-22; 26:1-25). In his friendship for Jonathan he shows an affection which, reciprocated by Jonathan, constitutes one of the classic friendships of history. Taken all in all, and remembering the times in which he lived, David was perhaps the finest king that the world ever saw.