King Hiram of Tyre sent a trade mission to David; he provided him with cedar logs and with stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace. And so David realized that the Lord had established him as king of Israel and was making his kingdom prosperous for the sake of his people.
David’s recognition of the Lord establishing him king was rooted in an external actor building him a palace. Moreover, it was for the sake of the Lord’s people and not because he was someone who would do God’s will (Acts 13:22). Appearances are deceiving. However the Lord chooses to use me, therefore, it won’t be because of me.
There in Jerusalem, David married more wives and had more sons and daughters. The following children were born to him in Jerusalem: …Solomon…
Not a word regarding his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11). It’s a loss for all of us when faults are covered up for they teach us so much about ourselves.
When the Philistines heard that David had now been made king over the whole country of Israel, their army went out to capture him. So David marched out to meet them. The Philistines arrived at Rephaim Valley and began plundering. David asked God, “Shall I attack the Philistines? Will you give me the victory?”
The Lord answered, “Yes, attack! I will give you the victory!”
2 Samuel 5:17-25. Communication that took place via the throwing of sacred dice (1 Samuel 23:9). Thank you, Lord, for the transformation in us that renders us capable of discerning your will (Romans 12:2).
So David attacked them at Baal Perazim and defeated them. He said, “God has used me to break through the enemy army like a flood.” So that place is called Baal Perazim. When the Philistines fled, they left their idols behind, and David gave orders for them to be burned.
They carried the idols away in 2 Samuel 5:21, which is more credible given 1 Samuel 19:13. Here the facts are changed to improve David’s image instead of being omitted which is much worse. How we need to set our predisposed notions and prejudices aside!