Joab was never gladder to see a sunset. He roamed Hebron’s ramparts as twilight descended. His gray mood remained unyielding. It had been a long, long day. His stomach was bitter. Joab still chewed on the day’s events. He spit on the ground as thoughts rambled in his head. Attending Abner’s funeral was humiliating. His uncle, the young king, commanded him to mourn before the ensign-draped bier. He even commanded a fast (2 Samuel 3:31, 35). No matter what David said, he—Joab—could never have trusted Abner. “I know I am right,” he muttered to himself.
Joab knew Abner was a power-hungry fool. David had to be protected from such men. Joab’s thoughts like hoofbeats marched loudly in his head. Hadn’t Abner crowned Saul’s son king? Didn’t this single act cause a long civil war? Wasn’t it Abner who caused Israelite blood to flow? Why a state funeral? Joab groaned. Abner had been a real threat to the king! Why couldn’t David see it his way?
Seared meat smoke filled the night air. The troops were hungry. All had had a difficult day. A military procession was difficult enough on a full stomach. Fasting and marching did not make for great times. Food would be good for them—but not him. Joab’s stomach churned. The night would be cool. The men would rest well.
Joab’s thoughts stopped him near the city gates. David was the first to march behind Abner’s corpse. Joab and his men followed. Then came all of the rest. There were so many in the throng. David was the first to weep at the gravesite. Moved by their king, the troops followed. Yet Joab’s eyes remained dry. As the throng’s tears flowed, he thought on Asahel, who was dead by Abner’s hand.
His brother’s youth had been swallowed up in death. For Joab it was simple: A score had been settled. The soft dirt and rocks thrown on the bier finally closed the matter—warrior for warrior—blood for blood—life for life. Joab watched as the city gates were closed.
Abner’s Remembrance
Darkness finally consumed the day. As the night fires were set, Joab observed the change of guard. The scene at the gravesite still filled his mind. David’s poetic eulogy for Abner chafed him. “Should Abner die as a fool dies? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered; as one falls before the wicked you have fallen,” David said before all Israel (2 Samuel 3:33-34, Revised Standard Version). The people had wept even more after the king spoke. And he—Joab—had been publicly corrected. His name may not have been used, yet the message was clear. David stated emphatically that Joab was a wicked man. He spit again and his nostrils flared.
Joab inhaled sharply. His nose and throat burned with the fresh night air. As he compassed the city walls, peaceful night noises filled the air. A dog barked. Children laughed. A baby cried. A father’s bedtime instructions were muffled in the darkness. This kind of safety could only come by military might Joab believed. Abner had to die, not only for the safety of David, but for the security of the entire nation.
But the king did not agree.
David made this fact clear to all his officers. “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; these men the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. The Lord requite the evildoer according to his wickedness,” David exclaimed just after Abner’s funeral (verses 38-39; rsv). His words cut Joab to the bone. David had already pronounced a double curse on him and his family (verses 28-29). Now David asked the great God to execute him. Nothing could be worse. It was too much. Knowing he narrowly escaped execution, Joab pondered his future. He turned into an alley and disappeared in the dark.
In the torch light, King David mused over his meal. It had been a very emotional day. David had been horrified by Abner’s murder. He believed that Joab deserved execution for this crime. But his hands were tied. How could he execute Joab? He was a blood relative—the son of his older sister, Zeruiah. Even more, Joab was a skilled and tough commander-in-chief. There would be more battles to fight. When unity would finally come, David needed Joab’s military prowess to protect the nation weakened by internal struggles. David knew that Israel still had its enemies—the Philistines, Jebusites, Moabites and Syrians. Abner’s death was a tragedy—Joab’s execution would be catastrophic. David understood Joab’s intense loyalty to him, although it was going to have to be better controlled. Joab was a problem David could live with—for now. Unfortunately for the king, Joab would do even greater wickedness in the future.
Ishbosheth Assassinated
Ishbosheth fell into a panic when he heard the news about Abner’s murder. Saul’s son knew his strength was gone. It showed on his face and in his actions. He simply was not capable of leading the nation. All of his weaknesses were exposed. The Israelite elders clearly understood their situation. The nation was in trouble with Ishbosheth at the helm.
Not willing to let events dictate actions, the two sons of Rimmon took matters into their own hands. Baanah and Rechab planned to execute Ishbosheth. These men were two of his trusted captains (2 Samuel 4:2). They had easy access to the weak king. Pretending to seek provisions, they stole into Ishbosheth’s home and murdered him while he was napping at noon (verse 6). They beheaded him and rushed off to inform David (verse 7). They believed that carrying Ishbosheth’s head to David would give them great favor with the king. The two did not know David.
Having traveled all night, the two were somewhat disheveled when they saw David. Still, they were excited to be bringing the king good news. They handed him the bloody sack and said, “Behold the head of Ishbosheth the son of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul, and of his seed” (verse 8). The shock on David’s face must have sent a chill up their spines.
David answered the two warriors, “As the Lord liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings: How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? Shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?” (verses 9-11).
David had to get an important point across to the military commanders in Israel. The political assassinations had to stop. As far as David was concerned, it was God who would deliver him from all of his troubles. He didn’t need the help of any military commander. After the king informed the shaken men about what he did to the young man who stated he had killed Saul they were terror struck. There would be no favors granted to murderers. David ordered their immediate execution. The king had their hands and feet cut off and their bodies hung near the pool in Hebron. Theirs was a bloody, vivid example of how David punished criminals. Since everyone needed drinking water, this was the most public place to send a clear message—no more executions of Saul’s family!
King of Israel
Although the slayings of Abner and Ishbosheth were evil, these two events flung open the door to David’s coronation as king of all Israel. It was not long after their deaths that all the elders of the tribes came to David in Hebron. A great peace conference was held. This was not a small meeting. 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 shows that there were over 307,000 warriors in attendance. Considerable preparations must have gone into this event. Surely, streets were cleaned and decorated. Great tents were erected. A festive mood permeated the air. Even the tribes farthest away brought food for the event (verse 40).
On the opening day of the conference, the spokesman for the tribes approached David and stated, “Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:1-2). This must have been quite a moment for David. What God prophesied had finally come to pass. The nation, now united, would be returned to glory.
The elders of Israel recognized, before David’s hearing, that even when Saul was alive, it was David who had God’s backing and support. It was David who actually led and protected Israel all these years. At this time David made a league with all the tribes. He promised to shepherd them according to God’s words. David would lead and feed his people. The tribal leaders anointed him king of all Israel. A new and better dynasty dawned for Israel. The warriors shouted. They all made a great noise in celebration. Three days of feasting and celebration followed. There was intense joy in all Israel. The nation could finally move forward.
A brief summary of David’s reign is given in 2 Samuel 5. “David was thirty years old when he began to reign [in Hebron], and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah” (verses 4-5).
Taking Jerusalem
As soon as David assumed the throne of Israel he went to work to establish the monarchy and the nation. One of the first recorded acts of David was the taking of Jerusalem. The battle for Jerusalem was the first of David’s offensive wars as king of Israel (see inset for a look at David’s military campaigns). David intended for Jerusalem to become his new capital city. Jerusalem was not an easy fortress to penetrate. Its natural elevation gave the city great fortification.
When David and his troops arrived at Jerusalem’s walls they met surprising opposition. Of course, the Jebusites did not plan to just hand over their city. They had devised a unique plan for self-protection, thinking they knew their adversary. The Jebusite leaders challenged David, “Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither” (2 Samuel 5:6). The cruel Jebusites took all their blind and lame people and set them in front of David. They didn’t believe that David would harm these people. The foolish Jebusites lived on false hopes.
Although it appears the sight momentarily took David’s troops aback, David rallied them forward. “Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain,” David challenged the men (verse 8). It was Joab, the mighty commander, who broke through the lame malaise (1 Chronicles 11:6). He was chief! Through Joab’s valiant efforts the city fell. And although it then could have been rightfully called the city of Joab, he made sure it was called the City of David.
David greatly expanded and beautified his new capital city. Hiram, king of Tyre, gave him assistance. “And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house” (2 Samuel 5:11). Tyre was one of two great commercial centers of the Phoenicians. This city was known for its highly skilled and artistic craftsmen. Hiram sent his best carpenters and masons to build a house for David. These men were likely employed to assist with the design and building of other structures in the city as well. Joab repaired the city’s fortifications after the battle for Jerusalem was won (1 Chronicles 11:8).
When Herbert Armstrong was alive, the Ambassador College campus at Pasadena was probably the only modern example of the beauty David built into Jerusalem. It must have been spectacular.
David’s fame grew great in Israel and in the world. All the people of Israel were pleased with his actions (2 Samuel 3:36). “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” (2 Samuel 5:12). David understood fully that it was God who established his kingdom. David gave all the credit to Him. Under God’s blessing David grew in wealth. His family also expanded. More sons and daughters were born to him at Jerusalem (verses 13-16).
War With Philistia
The Philistines tolerated David while he was on the run from Saul. They did not concern themselves with David during the civil war. But now that he was king over all Israel, their feelings toward him changed—quickly! The Philistines greatly feared David. They knew firsthand about his military skill. Their intelligence sources showed David was growing in wealth and might. He posed a real threat.
The Philistines had to stop him before he grew too powerful. “And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them” (1 Chronicles 14:8). If the Philistines wanted a fight, David was ready to give them a good one.
Remember, the Philistines had been a continual thorn in Saul’s side. They were a serious threat to the stability of Israel. Here the Philistines forced David to defend Israel. “The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim” (2 Samuel 5:18). This valley was one of the richest and most productive in the land. Gathering their forces in the valley revealed their plan to do great economic damage to the nation. Israel was in grave danger.
Before going into battle, David made sure God was behind him. “And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand” (verse 19). With all the power of God behind him, David fought mightily.
There was a miraculous victory. “The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim,” David poetically described the victory (verse 20). The name Baalperazim can mean Lord of the breakthroughs or Baal of the breaches. God broke out on the Philistines like a raging flood of water. The Philistines fled in terror. As part of the battle, David destroyed all the gods they had brought into the fight to ensure victory (verse 21).
The determined Philistines reorganized and returned to the valley. Following God’s instructions precisely, David beat them again even more severely (verse 22-25). This account in 2 Samuel 5, though brief, describes David’s success at making the Philistines a third-rate power. After this series of campaigns, the Philistines never posed a threat to Israel again. Later, David would go on the offensive and capture much of their wealth and territory. In addition, he also expanded his empire and wealth by taking on other enemies and capturing their lands.
Exalting the Ark
David, while growing in stature, wealth and might, knew it was all God’s doing. Because of God’s rich kindness and blessings, David had a deep desire to publicly exalt God. David sought to do this by moving the ark of the covenant to the new capital city. 1 Chronicles 15 shows that at the same time David was building his palace in Jerusalem, he was also building a special place for the ark.
Saul never held much regard for God, His ways or the things precious to God—which included the ark. From the time of the destruction of Shiloh, the ark had remained at Kiriath-jearim (1 Samuel 4-6). Israel’s first king made no effort to retrieve it. Saul held no desire to give the ark any prominence. He didn’t consider it a viable national symbol to help the nation rise out of the horrible period of the judges.
David, however, saw things differently.
If Israel was to be successful, it had to be close to God. This would require proper worship. David knew the ark symbolized God’s throne and presence in the nation. David understood it was far more important for the nation to look to God than to him. Because of all the national trauma since the death of Saul, the nation needed a unifying symbol. Having the ark housed in Jerusalem would accomplish that purpose.
David made great plans to bring the ark to Jerusalem. The best-detailed account of this is found in 1 Chronicles 13 and 15. “And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul” (1 Chronicles 13:1-3). The entire nation agreed with David’s plans for the ark. A new cart was built to transport the ark. A special procession was planned. New music was composed. David wanted a great celebration.
When the day came to move the ark, the Benjamite brothers Uzza and Ahio were selected to drive the cart to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:3-4). David led the throng. “And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets” (1 Chronicles 13:8). There was immense joy and exuberance at the moving of the ark. Then tragedy struck.
“And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God” (verses 9-10). The death of Uzza shocked the happy crowd like a bolt of white-hot lightning. Many screamed out in fear for their own lives. They were confused. Many asked, “Why did this tragedy occur while bringing the ark home?”
The Ark in Jerusalem
No one was more shocked by Uzza’s death than David. He grieved over the death of one of Abinadab’s sons. “And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day” (1 Chronicles 13:11). All celebration ceased immediately. Like most of the others at the event, David did not understand why God took Uzza’s life. He actually got angry with God for doing so. Then David feared for his own life and would not take the ark into Jerusalem (verses 12-13). The ark was placed in the home of Obededom the Gittite. For three months it stayed there—and God blessed Obededom the entire time he took care of the ark.
David came to realize his error in moving the ark. He informed the people, “None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him forever” (1 Chronicles 15:2). Only the Levites, or priests, could carry or touch the ark.
David reorganized the procession for the ark. Again he planned a stupendous ceremony. David, the elders and the priests were all organized in an appropriate fashion.
The day was set and all were ready. There was still some trepidation though. David did not want a repeat of what had happened previously. All looked on as the priests took up the ark and walked just six paces. There was no sign of divine displeasure so David sacrificed at the spot in thanksgiving (2 Samuel 6:12-13).
David was so excited that the ark would soon enter Jerusalem that he began to dance before it. He was full of intense joy. In the heat of the dance, David took off his kingly robes and continued to dance, rejoice and shout wearing only a finely woven linen ephod (verse 14). As the ark neared the city, the music swelled and rejoicing grew greater. The king set an incredible example for all the people. However, not everyone took pleasure in the king’s exuberant dance.