Chapter 11 makes a swift shift from the reign of Saul to the reign of David. Under Saul the nation became less and less in the world around them. Saul’s unfaithfulness, disobedience, and pursuit of advice from other gods, caused his dynasty to come to an end. He became less and less effective. He became less and less successful in battle. He became less and less in control of his forces. He became less and less popular with the people.
Chapter eleven begins the elevation of David to King over all Israel. He had mighty men supporting him. Every part of the nation called upon David and acknowledge him as their rightful king. David immediately led Israel to military victory over Jerusalem. He attracted and appointed numerous competent people in critical roles in his government. Verse 9 says it all, “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.”
Saul’s life was a warning to the post-exilic community. In contrast to Saul, the man who turned away from God, David was the man who pursued God’s own heart in all his affairs. With that he was blessed by God. In all the ways Saul failed and gives us a warning, David succeeded and gives us an example to follow.
A nation that turns from God looses it’s foundation. David restored hope to a nation. On the day Eisenhower was inaugurated as President. He prayed in public and asked ““Give us, we pray, the power to discern right from wrong and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby and by the laws of this land.” This humble prayer touched Americans from coast to coast. One observer on that day wrote, “Here was hope manifested in a manner which inspired the hearts of countless millions. A President with such a deep religious sense and with such a sincere spiritual motivation, seeking to be guided by the right, sets an example for all the people.”
Blessed is a nation whose God is the Lord!
Chuck
“He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” Titus 2:14