Who Does the Calling (9B, 2 Sam. 5:1-5
This is a seemingly simple story. The elders of Israel finally recognize David as king after a long time of rebellion and civil war. All come together and make a covenant with David and he becomes their king.
But if you think back in the story, you may recall that in 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel is sent to anoint David as the new king over Israel. A long time passed while David lived under Saul’s authority, waiting for the time to come when he would become king.
I’d like to emphasize two lessons in this:
- Whatever we may think, it is God who chooses the person to be anointed. When the elders come together, they are merely acknowledging what God has already ordained. They even admit that David has been leading for some time.
- Even when one is certain of what God is doing, as David was, there may be a long time of waiting. We need to not only accept the word that God has given; we need to wait for God’s timing in carrying it out.
David makes so many mistakes in his life, and sometimes we focus on them. But in so many things he provides an excellent example of being a follower of God.