Here is the account of David's third anointing which resulted in the unification of the twelve tribes under one king. What God Himself had planted in David's heart, He now brought to pass - proving His faithfulness. Psalm 18 was composed at this time.

There is also a picture here of crowning the greater than a David - the Lord Jesus, King of our lives.

2 Samuel 5:1 "... Indeed we are your bone and your flesh."

We experience union with Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:17 "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him."

As born again members of His mystical body of which He is the living head,

Ephesians 5:30 "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."

Under His Lordship in union with Him, He lives out His victorious life through us. He faithfully crowns our lives with His blessing.

"Now the very first exploit David did after he was anointed king over all Israel, was to gain Jerusalem out of the hands of the Jebusites; which, because it belonged to Benjamin, he could not well attempt till that tribe, which long adhered to Saul's house, submitted to him." Matthew Henry

What the Jebusites thought was impossible, David made possible by taking the city by entering it through the water tunnel. Note - Hiram king of Tyre recognized David's establishment (2 Samuel 5:11,12 ). The Lord reigns - He gives breakthrough. Confirmations of the Lord working with us, abound (Mark 16:20 ).

Mark 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."

This great victory was accomplished by David obeying God's strategy (2 Samuel 5:23 ).

2 Samuel 5:25 "And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer."

As we move by the wind of the Holy Spirit, and according to His directions we will have great victories.

After great victories David is exercised with great concern for the ark - the symbol of the true King. The royal Psalm 132 expresses David's deep longings he had felt.

Psalm 132:1-9 "LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: ² How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; ³ Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; ⁴ I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, ⁵ Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. ⁶ Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. ⁷ We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. ⁸ Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. ⁹ Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy."

The first attempt met with tragedy - in the fervency of his zeal, David ignored the precepts of God (2 Samuel 6:6-7 ). The ark on a new cart was Philistine transport, (1 Samuel 5:2-11 ), not how God purposed. The ark had to be carried by the Levites (Numbers 4:15 ). The sin of Uzzah was in touching the ark. Such violation of God's holiness cost him his life. The perfect holiness we have in Christ is to be manifested in daily experience by the work of the Spirit through us. The church and individuals have lost much through violation of that holiness.

Obed-edom's home was blessed through housing the ark. Living in the consciousness of His indwelling presence makes our lives rich.

The second attempt to bring the ark to the city of David was successful. It was brought in accordance with the instructions in the law. Sacrifices were made before it every six paces (2 Samuel 6:13 ).

2 Samuel 6:14-15 "And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. ¹⁵ So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet."

Saul's daughter, looking from a window, saw David dancing clothed only in an ephod, rather than in his royal robes - she despised him. David loved the Lord and gladly humbled himself before Him as the true ruler of Israel, knowing the Lord exalts the humble.

Matthew 23:12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Michal's pride was affronted by the total abandonment of David's worship of the Lord.

"She unjustly reproached David for his devotion, and therefore God put her under the perpetual reproach of barrenness. They that honor God, He will honor; but those that despise Him, and His servants and service, shall be lightly esteemed." Matthew Henry

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Does the making of David king over all Israel remind you how God has faithfully kept His promises to you?
2. The tribes refer to David's proven record as a military man. Are you known among God's people for your spiritual victories? (2 Samuel 5:2 ).
3. Who chooses a shepherd for God's people? ( 2 Samuel 5:2 )
4. Who also, at the age of thirty commenced special service? (2 Samuel 5:4; Genesis 41:46; Luke 3:23 ). What significance has the age thirty for you?
5. What was David's first exploit on being anointed king over all Israel? (2 Samuel 5:6-8 ). What weapons can you use in warfare to pull down strongholds? (2 Corinthians 10:4 ).
6. When God gives us breakthrough, is our gifting recognised by others? (2 Samuel 5:11-12 ).
7. Should leaders enjoying the blessing of the anointing, be surprised when the enemy mounts an attack? (2 Samuel 5:17-18 ) .
8. Do you believe David was victorious because he sought the Lord's guidance? (2 Samuel 5:18-19 ).
9. Do you believe that to receive guidance you have to be passive, or are you to be co-operative like David, putting questions that require a Yes or No answer? (2 Samuel 5:19-21 ).
10. Can you expect strategy to be given you by the Lord? (2 Samuel 5:23-24 ).
11. Are you obedient to the wind of the Holy Spirit? (2 Samuel 5:25 ).
12. Is it possible to be zealous but ignore the precepts of God? (2 Samuel 6:1-10 ).
13. Do you find that living in the consciousness of the Lord's indwelling presence is the secret of a blessed life? (2 Samuel 6:11 ).
14. Why was the second attempt to bring the ark to the city of David successful? (2 Samuel 6:12-13 ).
15. Are there those who are offended by your devotion to the Lord? (2 Samuel 6:16 ).