In the chapter we see how the armies of the other tribes were coming to unite forces with David. Even soldiers from Saul’s tribe, the tribe of Benjamin, came and united with David. There were Gadites, those from Judah and many from Manasseh. They were forming what would become the first “United States of Israel.” Of course you might call it the “United Tribes” of Israel, but for the first time a united front was being formed, which provided the background for the establishment of the greatest Nation in the world under David and then again for another 40 years under his son Solomon. It seems to be a collection of the misfits, the left-outs, the under privileged that David brought together. Yet they all found significant homes and roles under the Kingdom of God with David as it’s King.
I can’t help but think of our own Country. Although only 123 years old Next month, the Statue of Liberty has become a symbol of the United States. It stands at the shore of America welcoming all comers. No other explanation of this gift of France to the United States needs to be made other than the inscription which appears on the statue:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
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