Beginning of the End: David Punishes the Murderers of His Enemy

 But David did not want the help of treason to establish his power. He told these murderers about what happened to the man who boasted that he had killed Saul. “‘How much more,’” he added, “‘when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?’ So David commanded his young men, and they executed them.”

After the death of Ishbosheth, there was a general desire among the leading men of Israel for David to become king of all the tribes. They declared, “You were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord.” So through God’s leading the way had opened for him to come to the throne.

The change in the people’s attitude was decisive. The revolution was quiet and dignified, in keeping with the work they were doing. Nearly half a million people, the former subjects of Saul, thronged Hebron and its surrounding area. The hour for the coronation was appointed. David—the man who had been expelled from the court of Saul, who had fled to the mountains and hills and to the caves of the earth to preserve his life—was about to receive the highest honor that human beings can confer on a person. Priests and elders, officers and soldiers with glittering spear and helmet, and strangers from long distances stood to witness the coronation.

David was wearing the royal robe. The high priest put the sacred oil on his forehead, for the earlier anointing by Samuel had been prophetic of what would take place at the king’s inauguration. The time had come, and David was consecrated to his office as God’s representative. The scepter was placed in his hands, the covenant of his righteous sovereignty was written, and the people gave their pledges of loyalty. Israel had a king by divine appointment.

He who had waited patiently for the Lord saw the promise of God fulfilled. “So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.” (2 Samuel 5:10).