King David a Type of Christ
N. Hall, D. D. 2 Samuel 5:1-12 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.… David, as king, was an illustrious type of Christ. "I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion." (Psalm 2:6.) "All Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the deliverer." (Romans 11:26.) Jesus was recognised as "The Son of David"; He is "King of the Jews"; "King of kings," and "of His kingdom there shall be no end." This passage suggests several analogies between King David and King Jesus. 1. David was king by Divine ordination (v. 2, 12.) And so Christ was elected from eternity to be the Monarch of mankind, was predicted of old. "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom." (Daniel 4:3, 34.) It was asserted by Himself, "My kingdom is not of this world." He claimed kingship of Divine origin and authority. 2. David was ordained to be king for two purposes: "Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel." It is the function of a shepherd to feed; of a captain to guide and protect. So Christ is the good Shepherd and the Captain of Salvation. He supplies the need of His people, and leads them to victory. 3. David was qualified by kindred relationship. "We are thy bone and thy flesh." So Jesus took our nature, "in all things was made like unto His brethren." "He is not ashamed to call us brethren." His humanity, linked with His deity, qualified Him to be the "Mediator between God and men"; THE Shepherd-King of His people; "the Man Christ Jesus." 4. David was king by mutual covenant. The Son of David is proclaimed from heaven as King of men; and He engages to rule in equity, and to guard His people from harm. We, on our part, accept Him as our Lord: we declare that we desire Him to rule over us; there is a mutual covenant. He says, "Ye are My people"; and we say, "Thou art our King." 5. David assailed the strong fortress of his foes. David's greater Son lays siege to the human heart, fortified against Him by unbelief and sin. He summons it to surrender; brings the battery of truth against its walls; promises pardon if it will open its gates. 6. David conquered the-fortress and dwelt in it. So Jesus has entered many a heart by its opened doors, and has proved His power to subdue the most determined resistance. He then makes it His abode. 7. David enlarged the captured city. "He built round about." Thus the kingdom of David's Son is constantly being enlarged. Faith in the soul grows as seeds. The leaven leavens the whole lump. Every part of our nature progressively owns the sway of its Lord. 8. The King of Tyre sent cedar-trees and carpenters to help to build David's house. So the Gentiles built up the Church of Christ. Earthly wealth is consecrated to His service. Not Tyre alone, but every people and clime shall help in raising up Jerusalem, and making Zion a praise throughout the earth. 9. David reigned in Hebron and Jerusalem forty years. David's Son reigns everywhere, and His kingdom shall have no end. "He shall reign for ever and ever." 10. David had the joy of being assured that God had exalted His throne. "He perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel." And David's Son "shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied." LESSONS: — Let us individually enter into covenant with Christ as our King. Let us open our hearts for Him to dwell in. Though "blind and lame," He will heal us, and help us to fight His battles and share His triumph. (N. Hall, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. WEB: Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh.