David's Wild Ride to the Throne

1

Humble Beginnings

A shepherd boy — an afterthought to his own father — chosen by God.

2

Giant Killer & Commander

Rose to the king's inner circle, then became a fugitive hunted by Saul.

3

Wilderness Years

Wandering, hiding in caves, hungry — yet never willing to seize the throne by force.

4

King at Last

Saul is dead. Jonathan is dead. God's appointed hour has come.

David Inquired of the Lord

"Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" And the Lord said to him, "Go up… to Hebron."
— 2 Samuel 2:1

The first thing David did as heir to the throne was seek the Lord — not his PR team, not a strategic planning meeting.

Why Hebron Matters

Hebron was the largest and most important city in Judah — burial site of the patriarchs, once home of the giant Anakim who struck fear into the hearts of the spies (Numbers 13:22). Now, as Peter Leithart puts it, it becomes home of a giant-killer.

Throughout this series, a pattern has held: when David sought the Lord, people were blessed. When he relied on his own understanding, people suffered. This opening statement signals blessing — and true to form, blessing follows.

Anointed King — But Over Only One Tribe

David went up to Hebron with his two wives and his men, and the men of Judah anointed David king over the house of Judah (2 Samuel 2:2–4). Everything God promised had finally come true. The shepherd had become king.

But all was not well. Whereas Saul had been king over all Israel, David was anointed over only one tribe of twelve. The kingdom of God's anointed began so small — immediately divided.

True Character: Honoring an Enemy's Mourners

2 Samuel 2:4b–7

When David learned that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, he sent messengers to bless them: "May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord… I will do good to you."

He could have viewed their honoring of his enemy as an insult. Instead, he blessed them and invited their allegiance. This is what good leaders do: put differences aside and pursue unity. This is the kind of king the kingdom deserved.

One Man's Ambition Divides a Kingdom

Abner's Power Play

Abner, commander of Saul's army, took Ish-bosheth — Saul's son — and made him king over Israel. Just like that, one man's selfish ambition split the nation (2 Samuel 2:8–9).

Ish-bosheth's Presumption

Forty years old, he reigned two years over Israel while David reigned over Judah. The house of Judah followed David; all others followed a rival king.

Seven and a Half Years

The kingdom remained divided for 7½ years — the entire first portion of David's reign — because of the selfish ambition of Abner and the presumption of Ish-bosheth.

Abner knew the truth. By 2 Samuel 3:9–10 he would confess: "God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the Lord has sworn to him… to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul." He acted in spite of this knowledge — exalting himself to king-maker, taking the place of Yahweh Himself.

A Great Day and an Awful Day

🎉 Great Day for Team David

God's anointed has taken the throne. He waited patiently. He sought the Lord. He honored the fallen king. He returned humbly after every failure. At the proper time, God exalted him.

💔 Awful Day for Israel

Things weren't perfect under Saul, but at least the kingdom was one. National identity was intact. Now it is shattered — not by David's fault, but by Abner's rebellion against what the Lord was doing.

Just as in Genesis, what God ordained was disrupted by sin. The enemy of God's people has always found a welcome among them — always found it easy to entice them to fight one another.

The Kingdom Divided — Then and Now

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." — Mark 3:24

This isn't just ancient history. We are God's people — "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9). Christ is our King; we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, called to proclaim His greatness. Division among us grieves Him.

Paul's Plea for Unity

Paul devoted chapters in Romans and Corinthians to unity. "We, though many, are one body in Christ." (Romans 12:3–5). Division in Corinth? Not doctrine — style and personalities.

Jesus Prayed for Us

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus prayed "that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me." (John 17:23). Unity has powerful evangelistic effect.

Make Every Effort

Paul urged the Ephesians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace… one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:3–6).

Are We Responsible for Division?

The enemy has always found it easy to divide God's people. He turned Adam against Eve, Cain against Abel, Joseph's brothers against him, northern tribes against Judah — and on and on to today. Denominations. Factions. Judgments. Division.

Do we judge people who are not like us?

Do we elevate preferences to the place of doctrine?

Do we gossip, undermine, or harbor bitterness?

Do we use "church hurt" to justify breaking from the body?

Would you earnestly search your heart and ask the Lord to show you how you, like Abner, may be responsible for division in your sphere of influence? There is only one word for what divides Christ's people: sin.

Made One by the Blood of Christ

The Cost of Our Unity

"Making peace by the blood of his cross." — Colossians 1:20

Nothing should unify the church like communion. We were brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). It cost everything to make us one.

We will dwell with our brothers and sisters forever in perfect harmony. Until then — let love cover a multitude of sins. A kingdom divided will not stand, and we have kingdom work to do to the glory of Christ among all peoples.

"I appeal to you, brothers… that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment." — 1 Corinthians 1:10