Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
2 Samuel 5:12 (NIV)

I was scrolling Facebook yesterday and saw that a friend had quit his corporate job and effectively entered the “third phase” of this life journey that call retirement. Good for him. At my age, more and more of my peers are hitting this milestone. Suddenly, that waypoint on my own path isn’t as distant as it’s always seemed.

This life journey is filled with “big days” that we wait for to arrive.

Graduation
Career
Wedding
Children

In today’s chapter, the big day finally arrives for David. He was anointed King by Samuel all the way back in 1 Samuel 16 when he was a shepherd boy. For twenty years and over 20 chapters David has been waiting, running, hiding, fighting, growing, and maturing. And suddenly… it’s here.

As I meditated on the chapter this morning, what initially struck me were two things.

First, the chapter — which is about David’s throne being established over all of Israel — repeatedly references the Lord:

“…the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” (vs. 2)
And [David] became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. (vs. 10)
Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. (vs. 12)
…so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” (vs. 19)
…so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered. (vs. 23)

Yes, David is finally King over Israel, but all of his waiting, maturing, and preparation have taught him dependence and trust in the Lord. David may be leading Israel, but God is leading David.

The second thing I noticed in the text is something that is lost on most modern readers. In ancient Hebrew literature and poetry structure was an important part of writing. The structure contained meaning beyond the simple narrative. And one of the most common structural motifs they used is known a “chiasm.”

In a chiasm, the most important thing you have to say is placed smack-dab in the middle of your text. Then you build layers of parallel narrative elements or thoughts on either side of the center that lead to and from that center like this:

A: Narrative element
B: Narrative element
C: Center thought
B: Narrative element
A: Narrative element

This structure helps create a flow to the story. It also becomes important because the author is structurally telling readers the most important thing to take away from story. The chiasm of today’s chapter goes like this:

A: David is crowned

B: Jerusalem is established

C: David recognizes that God established him

B: Jerusalem is defended

A: David’s kingdom is expanded

Everything centers around one sentence: “David knew that the LORD had established him king… for the sake of His people Israel.”

David recognized that his kingdom was not about him, and it wasn’t established because he grasped for it, took it, or claimed it as his own. His kingdom was established by the Lord for Israel. That is crux of the entire chapter.

Today’s chapter is about what to do after God fulfills His promise. Waiting is difficult, but fulfillment has dangers too. Which is why I loved that after David inquired of the Lord and is victorious over the Philistines he doesn’t become independent. He becomes more dependent.

The second Philistine battle is the key. I would be tempted to think, “I know how this works now.” David refuses that temptation. He inquires again, and God responds with a different plan.

I’ve learned along my spiritual journey that sometimes the spiritual danger isn’t failure. It’s assuming yesterday’s obedience is sufficient for today’s decisions.

God rarely wants us living on old guidance. He wants a living relationship.

Every morning.
Every conversation.
Every battle.
Every opportunity.

David doesn’t charge ahead in personal confidence.

He waits.
He listens.

Only when he hears the sound of heaven moving does he move himself.

I find that this is a rhythm to the spiritual life:

God moves.
I follow.

Whenever I reverse that order, I end up asking God to bless plans He never initiated — plans that I established myself. When I learn to wait until I hear the rustle of His leading, I discover that the victory was never mine to manufacture. I’m simply invited to join the One who had already gone ahead of me to accomplish what He purposed to establish.

In the quiet this morning, I find in David a good example to follow.

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