Tag: Leadership and Blessings - 2 Samuel 5-9

2 Samuel 5:9-13

And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house. 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.

And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.

Tag:  Leadership and Following God

This is a very interesting combination of verses.   David is no taking leadership in Israel.  The Tribes have come to David to anoint him as king.  In the next chapters the exploits of David will be outlined as his greatness begins to grow.  In the above passage we read that "David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him."   It should be noted that not everyone who grows "greater and greater" has the Lord, the God of Hosts, first in their lives.  And, it should be noted that not everyone who has the the Lord, the God of Hosts, first in their lives grows "greater and greater."   Never-the-less, this what happened to David.  David walked with God and God choose to bless him with greatness in the eyes of the Tribes and the world.  This is because God is establishing David and his Kingdom for the purpose of Christ.  When God is in the center of it, God defines the "greatness" of our lives, but it will be "greatness."  It will be "great" because God is at the center.  Joshua was promised greatness if he walked with God (Joshua 1:9-10).   If we put God at the center we can be assured God will define our lives as great.   Yet as we look at this above passage we see that David took more and more concubines and wives.  We might ask, "Why?"  Yet, in these Biblical days, many wives and concubines was a sign of greatness for a king.  David also built a great house for himself.  This, too, was the sign to the world that God is good to David.  We ought not fear the modern signs of success.  We ought, however, to not seek them, either.  We ought to seek God and let him define our greatness.   Jeremiah the prophet was great.  But, he had no concubines, homes or great armies.  Yet, he was great.  God in the center is great.  God defines what great looks like in our lives.  Peter told the man who was begging, "silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to you."  Peter was poor, but great and rich in Christ.   We must let God define our greatness to the world.