David's Ascends the throne: a lesson in trust, perseverance, and God's timing
2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 - January 22, 2024, Monday 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Today's first reading narrates for us the story of David being anointed as the king of all Israel and his subsequent conquest of Jebusite Jerusalem. After the death of Saul, a civil war erupted between the house of David and the house of Saul. David became the king of the tribe of Judah but the other tribes were still united around the son of Saul, Ish-bosheth and his general Abner. However, David was growing stronger and Ish-bosheth turned out to be a weak king. And when both Ish-bosheth and Abner were murdered, the rest of the tribes also acknowledged David as their king (see 2 Samuel 2-4).
The first who anointed David as king was Samuel. It took place in secret and David was a young boy (see 1 Samuel 16:13). The second anointing was done by the men of Judah who accepted him as their king (see 2 Samuel 2:4). Finally, the last to anoint David as their king were "all the elders of Israel" after which David became the king of all Israel. More than ten years passed between the first and the last anointing, years during which David was constantly on the run from King Saul, but finally, David ascended to the position he was chosen for by God.
One can admire David's perseverance and resilience. Facing so much adversity, many of us would probably give up on our dreams and goals, but David persisted till the end. Perhaps, that challenging journey shaped David's character and helped him to develop his leadership qualities. The story of David also highlights that God's plans often unfold gradually and according to His timing, and not necessarily in immediate or linear ways. Finally, we see how different groups slowly begin to appreciate and accept David as an extraordinary leader, from the women who sang of his great achievements to all the elders of Israel.
From the faith perspective, we can see how God was preparing David to become a king over his people. He allowed him to face trials and challenges but at the same time protected him from any harm. This underscores the value of trust in God's providence and perseverance. Learning is a process and we are going to face successes and setbacks on the way to graduation. But in the end, we shall be well equipped to take the role assigned to us by God in life.
The story of David's ascension to the throne culminates in conquering Jebusite Jerusalem and making it the capital of his kingdom. The biblical scholars tell us that it was located between the tribe of Judah in the south and the tribes of Israel in the north. The city also did not belong to any tribe and in such a way it was a neutral territory. The account ends with a statement that "David kept growing stronger, for the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him" (2 Sam 5:10). And that was the main reason for David's success.