Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was little more than a puppet king. His only strength was the support of his captain Abner. Now that Abner was dead, he was in trouble.

Then two of his captains conspired against him and killed him while he slept (4:1-8). They took the news to David and David had them put to death for their murder (4:9-12).

Chapter 5 opens with them reminding David that they were his bone and flesh relatives. All Israel now knew that David was to be their king, yet there was much disunity.

Transition

In chapter 5, we find four steps that David took to unite the nation. From each of these steps, we can learn principles that will help us unite those under our leadership.

David’s first step to unite the nation was to

Accept the Leadership (5:3-5)

  1. He became king over all Israel
    1. David accepted the crown. He took the leadership.
    2. He had reigned over Juda for 7 years. He will now reign over Israel for 33 years.
  2. He became a godly leader
    1. Not only is leadership an honour, it is a huge responsibility.
    2. Saul had failed in his leadership
      1. He had been a weak leader.
      2. He feared people more than he feared God. He disobeyed God. He spiritually turned away from God.
    3. Though David was far from perfect, he was a man after God’s own heart.
      1. He humbled himself when he sinned.
      2. He usually prayed before acting.
      3. He loved the Lord.
      4. He worshipped the Lord much in song.
        ☆ God wants you to accept the leadership He has given you. Everything rises or falls on leadership. Husbands, you are to be the leader of your home, your wife, and your children. You are to lead spiritually, educationally, socially, and financially. Be a godly example they can follow. Wives, you are second in command in your home. You must lead when hubby is away. Your leadership must be supportive of his. You are his teammate not his opposition. Be a godly leader. Children, you are to be leaders among your friends. Be a good example. Be godly. Read your Bible. Obey your parents. Do right!
        David’s second step to unite the nation was to

Make a New Capital City (5:6-10)

  1. The old capital cities would divide loyalties
    1. Hebron, David’s previous capital was in Judah and far to the south. This would not please Israel.
    2. Mahanaim had been Ishbosheth’s capital. This town was on the east side of Jordan near the Jabbok River. This would not please Judah.
  2. David chose Jerusalem, a neutral, border city
    1. At this time, Jerusalem was still controlled by enemy Jebusites. It had never been conquered (Josh 15:63).
    2. The Jebusites mocked David’s plan to conquer Jerusalem (5:6). They said he must first kill the blind and the lame. The blind and lame may refer to their idols or more likely they were laughing that their city was so strong that even their blind and lame could defend it.
    3. David took the strong hold of Zion, the city of David, Jerusalem (5:7), (cf. 1Chr 11:6-9). It became his base. It became his city representing his strength.
      ☆ Leaders need a capital city, a home base. That home base ought to be the Bible. Stand on the Book! Unify around it. Read it! Learn it! Live it! Teach it!
      ☆ This also reminds me of the duty God ordained for marriage. (Genesis 2:24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Leaving parents to establish a new home for his family is a husband’s duty. Your home (not your house) is like your capital city. Build it. Fortify it. Sacrifice for it. Strengthen it. Defend it.
      David’s third step to unite the nation was to

Make Political Alliances (5:11-16)

An alliance is a friendship to keep peace.

  1. David made helpful friendships (5:10-11)
    1. Hiram king of Tyre became David’s friend. Tyre was north along the Mediterranean Sea coast.
    2. David could see that Hiram was a friend send by God to exalt the nation (5:12).
  2. David married wives for alliances
    1. Kings often married daughters of other kings for political peace. At least one of David’s wives was a foreign princess (3:3).
    2. Though this was a good move politically, it was not a good move biblically. It directly disobeyed one of the Lord’s commands. (Deuteronomy 17:17) Neither shall he [a king] multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
      ☆ God created monogamy – one spouse for life. Young people, make your choice prayerfully, carefully, based on godly counsel and character. Marriage for life is a long time! Divorce is not a biblical option! (Matthew 19:5) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
    3. David’s choice to have many wives was also a sinful influence on his son Solomon and ultimately the ruin of the nation (1Ki 11:3-4).
      ☆ As a leader, your choice of friends is very important. Friends will bring you closer to God or they will turn you away from God. (Proverbs 13:20) He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
      ☆ God’s counsel is to make no friendships with those who are foolish. (Proverbs 14:7) Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
      ☆ Being a godly friend and leader will improve the lives of your family and friends. (Proverbs 27:17) Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
      David’s fourth step to unite the nation was to

Lead His People in Victories (5:17-25)

  1. The Philistines came to seek David
    1. They came looking for him. They quickly wanted to find and kill this David that had deceived them.
    2. They spread out in the valley ready for war.
  2. David prayed for God’s direction
    1. God directed him to attack (5:19). As he did, God gave the victory. David burned all of the Philistine idols that they left behind in their haste to flee.
    2. God directed the second time to circle around the enemy and attack when he heard a noise in the tops of the mulberry trees (5:23-24). Again, the Lord gave the victory.
      ☆ As a leader, God will give you victories over temptations, trials, problems, and relationship tensions as you seek Him for guidance. Being a godly leader during conflicts is one of the best ways to unite those under you.
      ☆ God will guide us in answer to prayer. (James 1:5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. He guides by the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He guides us through the Bible. (Psalms 119:130) The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. He guides with godly counsel. (Proverbs 11:14) Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Conclusion

Each of us is a leader over someone. Leaders need to unify those under them. As a leader, we must accept leadership. Our capital city or home base must be the Bible. We must choose godly friends. We must lead those under us in victories over conflicts.

What changes do you need to make to become the leader God wants you to be?

Song: Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord – 337
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Uniting Israel
27 September 2015 PM – 2 Samuel 4-5 – Life of David – Scott Childs