PT Jan-67 - Herbert W. Armstrong Library and Archives

38 Tbe PLAIN TRUTH
January, 1967
the remains should be buried with appropriate honors in Abner's tomb in
H ebron. These acts made it plain to the Israelites that David had a strict regard
fo r justice, a fact that created great respect for him. (II Samuel 4: 9- 12. )
King of ALL Israel
By this time David had been the leader of Judah for more than seven years.
(II Samuel 2:11.) Over the years leaders in the various tribes had been turning to
David and leading many thousands into allegiance to him. (I Chronicles 12: 1-22;
II Samuel 3: 1.) After Ish-bosheth was murdered, the elders of all Israel asseinbled
at Hebron with over a third of a million me_~". They reminded' David that because all
the people of Israel were of the same family, and because Davi? had been a wise and
fair leader in the past and the chief under Saul, they wanted to acknowledge him king
over all Israel. (II Samuel 5: 1-3; I Chronicles 12: 22-40.)
Thus God caused matters to come about in such a manner, over the years, that
David was at last anointed king of all the tribes. He was thirty-seven years old
when this happened. Probably he "i0uld have been greatly encouraged if he could
have known that he would be king of Israel for the next thirty-three years (II Samuel
5 :4-5 ) , though he would have been troubled if he could have foreseen certain things
that would happen during those years.
The first outstanding act performed by David as king of all the tribes was the
moving of an army against the city of Jerusalem. (All Israel in that day - as today
- trusted in their army, instead of God, to fight their battles.) This populous place
was within the territory of Benjamin, and though the Israelites had attacked it and
set lire to it years previously, th e city was still held by stubborn Jebusites, an ancient
Canaanite tribe. It was a thorn in Israel that a great city in the center of their country
should still be populated by enemies. Besides wanting to drive the Jebusites out of
th is ancient holy city, David needed the city because it was well situated in a central
spot in the nation, and would thus be ideal for a capital.
When David and his troops arrived at Jerusalem, the ruler of the city sent out a
sneering messenger to tell David that Jerusalem's walls were being guarded by crippled
and blind people because they were strong and capable enough to hold off even Israelite
soldiers indefinitely. This was meant to be an insult to David. King David knew
that no matter who guarded the walls, Jerusalem would be very difficult to capture because
its fortress was bui lt on such a steep summit of a towering hill. Even getting
to the base of the walls would be a perilous undertaking. (II Sal)1uel 5:6.)
"The man who thinks of a plan to successfully lead part of my troops through
the hidden stairwell from the spring into Jerusalem and opens the gates and then leads