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THE EXALTATION OF JERUSALEM. II Samuel 5:6-15. 24 JAN. 2021. #11.
II Samuel 5:6-15 [New King James Version]
6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” 7 Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 8 Now David said on that day, “Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David’s soul), he shall be chief and captain.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” 9 Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. 10 So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 11 Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house. 12 So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. 13 And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David. 14 Now these are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 15 Ibhar, ]Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia,
- David takes Jerusalem
- Joshua had conquered the land, but Jerusalem held firm
- Called Salem (City of Peace) in Genesis 14
- The Amorites (descendants of Canaan) held the city for 1500 years under Jebusite trive
- In David’s time, the city was known as Jebus
- Jebus was on a fortified mountain 2300 feet above sea level and
- consisting of four hills (Zion, Moriah, Ariel, and Ophel)
- Mount of Olives and Golgotha were outside the city
- Kedron Valley separated the city from Mt. of Olives
- Due to Jebus’s defendable position, they felt invulnerable
- They mocked David: the lame and blind would repel any attack from David
- a2. David was highly insulted and so determined to take Jebus and make it his own capital
- David devices a plan of attack
- To attack Jebus directly would be suicide
- David promises to make captain over the army anyone who would lead troops up the water shaft (tunnel supplying water to city) to take the city
- I Chronicles 11:4-9 Joab leads the victory and become captain over the army
- The water supply conduits made cities vulnerable
- Hezekiah had a fresh tunnel dug to supply city
- Cyrus dammed up the Euphrates River, so he could walk under Babylon’s walls to take it David threw the insult back at the Jebusites: “I have defeated the lame and blind of the city” (Jebus’s soldiers must have been lame and blind, since he defeated them)
- Joshua had conquered the land, but Jerusalem held firm
- God exalts David
- David took possession of Mt. Zion (“castle”) for his home (city of David)
- David started at the Millo (“landfill” = the city dump, known as the “hill of corruption”) outside the dung gate and then rebuilt the city inward (now called “Jerusalem” – City of God’s Peace) –500 years after Joshua conquered the land
- King Hiram of Tyre sent David cedar wood from the Ante-
- Lebanon Mts. and craftsmen to build a house for David
- David knew that God’s blessing was upon him
- David acknowledged that God, and not himself, had established him as king
- David understood that he was to rule over Israel on behalf of God, and not for his own pleasure
- We serve in life in all our positions as stewards for God
- (includes family, occupation, service, citizenship, and all else)
- David seeks more
- Despite God’s blessings and six wives, David wanted more wives and concubines
- Even though kings seek to expand their legacy through many children, lust is the driving force
- David’s lust is not satisfied with many women, so unbridled desire leads to adultery with Bathsheba
- Uncontrolled desires always lead to disaster
- David indulged himself (Solomon, even more so)
- David did not restrain himself from taking Bathsheba and murdering her husband
- David did not restrain himself from numbering the men of war
- David instructed Solomon to kill his opponents
- All people have their weaknesses to know and guard against
- Despite God’s blessings and six wives, David wanted more wives and concubines