promised success

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.

2 Samuel 5:12

The huge difference between King David’s reign and King Saul’s disgraceful rule was that David from the very start knew his kingship and Israel’s thriving success under him were ALL God’s doing. David gave God the credit. He worshiped the God Who blessed Israel. In that climate of worship, David led the nation to focus on God as the True King.

Three things mark David’s mindset. First, he knew God had established him a king. David did not rise to the throne by cunning or might. In fact, when the elders of Israel approached David to unite the nation that had been fractured in Saul’s bitter final days, They too acknowledged that God called David to “be shepherd of my people Israel” (2 Samuel 5:2). The rise to ruling was all God’s work. God kept David safe from Saul’s rage. He blessed David as lead general in Israel’s army. He gave David the hearts of the people and the throne of the nation.

Secondly, David knew that God’s blessing was the only reason any success came to his career as king. And continued success after his inauguration was also God’s blessing. It was the Lord who exalted David’s kingdom and granted success, peace, and prosperity to the nation as a result.

And finally, David knew that God was honoring a deeper covenant. More was happening than just a single promise to David. This was all taking place to bless God’s people, Israel. In a way, all of David’s success was linked to God’s original promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 to make of him a great nation. God’s promise for the sake of His people Israel flowed from an ancient stream of covenant blessing. God would always carefully tend human history to accomplish this great covenant.

And centuries later, the Son of David would come to earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Jesus fulfills all of these promises to the penultimate. His kingdom is now established. Jesus is King reigning now forever and ever. And all God’s promises are “YES!” in Jesus!