DAVID PERCEIVED THAT HE WAS KING
“And David perceived that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.” II Samuel 5:12
David had been chosen by God as the successor to Saul, the first king of Israel. While Saul was still king, the Lord sent Samuel to the house of Jesse where Samuel anointed David as king. Later we read that the men of Judah anointed David as king over the house of Judah. Then the elders of Israel anointed David as their king in Hebron. All of this occurred before the passage that tells us that “David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.”
David demonstrated great patience concerning God’s will and his installment as the king of Israel. He knew that Samuel had anointed him to be the next king, yet he was never guilty of promoting himself. On several occasions, David could have killed Saul personally or had him killed, but he refused to exalt himself. He refused to touch God’s anointed leader of Israel.
It is good for us to be reminded that God not only has a will for each of us but also that He has a time for that will to be enforced. Jesus resisted every temptation to exalt Himself or permit Himself to be exalted prematurely to the Father’s will. It is quite common for those who know God has called them into a particular ministry to get ahead of God in fulfilling that calling. There must be a time of preparation and proving. Because God has called someone to preach His Word does not necessarily mean he is equipped. We should not rush ahead to do what we think God wants us to do without getting some clear direction from the Lord. Because we think we are ready does not mean God has determined that we are ready.
David was willing to wait for years, knowing God had chosen him for this task. None of us want to procrastinate and forfeit opportunities to serve the Savior by postponing our obedience. Nor do we want to bring damage to God’s work by getting ahead of His leadership for our lives. David was willing to wait for God to work out His will. When he was finally and officially in the position of God’s choosing, after being anointed by Samuel, the men of Judah, and the elders of Israel, “David perceived that the Lord had established him as king.”