David takes up the promises made to the patriarchs

DavidDavid - is one of the most outstanding people among the chosen people. He gained his fame first in the fight against Goliath, when he stood up for the honor of God's name. This fame was strengthened by further victorious fights with enemies. Among other things, he defeated the Philistines, so that from then on they never again threatened the chosen people. He also defeated the restless Ammonites and the increasingly dangerous Damascus Arameans. In this way, David greatly expanded the borders of his homeland, which stretched from the mountains of Hermon to the desert Sinai, from the Mediterranean Sea to the highlands of the Transordania: Through David, the Israelites possessed all the land of Canaan, as God promised Abraham. By defeating his hostile neighbors, David ensured the country's long-term security and economic boom. The kingdom of David has become a great kingdom.

After securing the borders, David tried to remove disagreements and disputes between families and generations. In this way, he wanted to unite the people of Israel around God. To unite the nation even more, David chose Jerusalem as the capital of the country. He involved all generations in the development of the city. They are populated by officials from all over Palestine. Jerusalem was soon loved by the whole nation, as a visible sign of your unity. David also brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, who was always a sign of God's presence among his people. Full of reverence for the Holy Sanctuary, he divided the priests into 24 groups, that the liturgical service takes place in good order. He also enriched God's service with singing and music, by appointing separate singers for this purpose. David had a deep faith and love for God, thus he became great, however, he has not forgotten, that he has this greatness from God, who chose him to be the leader of the people of Israel. Subject to the will of God, as his trusting and humble servant, David became a worthy heir to the promises made to the patriarchs. David's prayer testifies to this :

"Now you, oh my lord, You are God, Your words are true. If you have promised your servant, it's happiness, deign now to bless your servant's house, that he may stand before you forever, because you are, my Lord, God, he said it, and thanks to your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever " (2 Sm 7, 28-29).
Psalms also testify to the king's love for God, some of which are found in the Holy Scriptures. He composed many of them himself. They worship God, therefore they were immediately on the lips of the people. To this day, they shape people's religious life. Therefore, it can rightly be said, that David became a model for people who seek God. The author of the two Books of Samuel shows us David not only as a brave fighter and a humble servant of God. He also portrays him as a noble man, good and generous. But David, like every human being, he had his downs too (2 Sam 11, 2n). This, however, did not detract from his dignity. For the prophet Nathan condemned his transgressions in the name of God, the king humbly pleaded guilty and accepted God's punishment (2 Sam 12, 12-23). Having experienced his weakness and the great mercy of God, he was able to be understanding and forgive others. When a certain resident of Shimei publicly cursed the king, David did not allow him to avenge the offense he had suffered (2 Sam 19, 16-24). He also respected the lives of the soldiers. So when one time three soldiers passed through the Philistine camp, risking their own lives for that only reason, to draw water for a thirsty David from the cistern in Bethlehem - then the king did not want to drink it, saying : “Should I drink the blood of the people who risked their lives to undertake this journey ?” (2 Sam 23,17). On another occasion, he showed his generosity during an Amalekite raid, when some of the tired soldiers were left behind, and the rest followed David with a glorious victory. When the winners returned with great loot, they refused to share it with the rest. Then David rebuked them and made the law applicable from then on, that in Israel all will have an equal share of the gains of war (Sam 30, 21-25).

David also proved to be noble to King Saul. He remembered, that Saul had brought him, as a gifted lutenist, to the royal court, that he would distract his bad thoughts with his music, but then Saul, out of jealousy of David's growing fame, tried to kill him. David, although he had the opportunity to do so several times, he didn't kill Saul. He respected him to the end as God's Anointed. He did not take revenge, though Saul hurt him more than once (by. Ps 58).

David's friend was Saul's son, Jonathan, who risked his own life to warn David. He loved David "like his own soul". They were bound by a faithful friendship, tried in poverty. When David found out, that Saul and Jonathan died in the lost battle with the Philistines, he composed a melancholy song, in which he mourned the death of his dearest friend and his father. Grateful for Jonathan's friendship, he took his son to his court - the lame orphan Meribbaal, the only surviving descendant of Saul's lineage. These qualities of heart and mind made David a great king, who ruled Israel in the name of God. David "in every deed he gave glory to the Holy and the Most High". God, who took David out of the pasture from among the sheep and made him king, he was with him in the fights, he loved and tested him, picked up and consoled. That is why David remained in the memory of the people forever as good, a brave man and a righteous ruler (by. Cheese 47, 2-11). David became great for another reason as well. For he had made a great promise, which God gave to Abraham, Isaac, Jakub. Through the prophet Nathan, God revealed to him, that the Messiah to come will be of his lineage. Matthew and Luke placed the name of King David in the lineage of Christ the Lord (Mt 1, 5n ; Luke 3, 31). Therefore, the Church honors David and remembers him more than the other kings of the chosen people of the Old Covenant.

According to tradition, David's tomb is located in Jerusalem. Not only Christians worship this place, but also the Jews, and even Mohammedans.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *