RPG Adults
JERUSALEM THE CITY OF DAVID
THURSDAY, JULY 16
2 Samuel 5
Psalm 47
“He shall choose
our inheritance for us…”
JERUSALEM THE CITY OF DAVID
The city of Jerusalem was part of the heritage that Joshua assigned to the house of Judah. David belonged to this tribe and when he became king, the city was named after him, even until now.
David made Jerusalem the capital city of Israel. It was so for a period of the reign of nearly twenty kings who came after David. The city was subsequently destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, when he took Judah captive in 586 BC. It was, however, restored upon the return of the exiled nation seventy years later. The returnees first built the temple. Subsequently, Nehemiah came and rebuilt the city walls. When Christ came, it was in Jerusalem that He did much of His work. He fulfilled many prophecies while in this city. It was destroyed a second time by the Romans in AD 70. It remained under many Gentile nations until the founding of modern Israel in 1948. In His second coming, Christ will enter Jerusalem through the East Gate. In making Jerusalem the capital city of Israel, David had made Jerusalem a symbol of the heavenly home.
David’s alliance with the king of Tyre and his family was a way of consolidating his power. Hiram, king of Tyre and a friend of David, knew that David was then the king of all Israel. David’s reputation was known beyond the borders of Israel even before he became king. Thus, Hiram sent his messengers to David with gifts, and carpenters and masons to build a palace for David. The external support was useful for David in strengthening his position as king. He would also have a proper royal residence. This was in contrast to the time he was running away from King Saul. He did not have a home then, and had to live in caves. Then the Lord established David to be king over all Israel, and everything worthy of a king was put in place. And David knew that it was the hand of the Lord at work. He had rest, and a suitable city to run the nation from. David developed the city and had good relations. He was committed to his duties as king.
THOUGHT: God knows all my needs, whether big or small.
PRAYER: Father, provide all that I need that I may serve Thee.