Israel’s King

July 8, 2012

Lesson: 2 Samuel 22:1–7

Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 18:14

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Introduction

An overview of David’s service to the Lord is found in 1 Chronicles 18:14, “So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.” What better understanding can a leader of a nation have than that of King David’s love for the people of God? America’s beginning is an example of such leadership; for men, desiring not to have such kings as found in Europe, wanted a government which thought first of the people of that nation. They found such blessings in a republic founded upon the rule of law under the God who revealed Himself in Holy Scriptures. We need to pray for such leadership in the home, from the pulpit, and in the civil arena, whose love for those under their care, embracing them with love, justice, mercy and true righteousness.

King David committed himself, not to please himself, but to render judgment under the divine law of God. He would administer justice that the people may be blessed in doing what is right before their Lord that the blessings may build them up in a moral life. Matthew Henry give us this picture, that, “God gives men power, not that they may look great with it, but that they may do good with it. When David reigned over all Israel he executed judgment and justice among all his people, and so answered the end of his elevation. He was not so intent on his conquests abroad as to neglect the administration of justice at home. Herein he served the purposes of the kingdom of providence, and of that God who sits in the throne judging right; and he was an eminent type of the Messiah, the sceptre of whose kingdom is a right sceptre.”

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The Lord is our Rock—2 Samuel 22:1–3

David’s song, his testimony of faith and heart, is one of saving grace: “And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: and he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer.” In another song David sang, “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy names sake lead me, and guide me” (Psa. 31:1–3). David’s faith is made solid by the Spirit: “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.” The “horn of my salvation” for David is nothing less than the second person of Godhead, the Messiah, the Savior. When the forerunner of Christ, John, was born, his father, Zacharias spoke of the Messiah: “Blessed by the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up  an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant” (Luke 1:68–72). Our faith in Christ moves us to give “thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:12–14).

Discussion: Why did David put his trust in the Lord?

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Call Upon the Lord—2 Samuel 22:4–7

David’s trust or faith drives him to commune with the Lord. Our Lord is with us, we are called children of God; our Father does not leave us, nor will He ever forsake us. David’s faith is a real faith, resting upon the very presence of his Savior: “I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Christ has accomplished all that is necessary for our salvation. Therefore, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with feeling of our infirmities; but was tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in time of need” (Heb. 4:14–16).

King David knew how to serve the sheep as a shepherd. Now he knew the Great Shepherd who comforted him in times of plenty and in times of sorrow. He praised the Lord: “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want … He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psa. 23). David knew the working out of the truth of those words in his life as king of the Lord’s people: “When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; the sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me: in my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple.” Linger not upon the sorrows of your heart, of the presence of evil, of the temptations that come; Look quickly upon Christ our Shepherd, for he already knowing your need and hearing your cries. His words come to us as He embraces us and holds us in His hands, saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (refreshment). Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:29–30).

Discussion: What does it mean for us to be able to call upon the Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.