David Put in Possession of the Kingdom

    On the death of Saul, the men of Judah anointed David to be their king. But he must be king over all Israel; and Providence opens the way. Ishbosheth was made king by Abner. How can this obstacle be providentially removed? Abner is a man of might and of wisdom. If he has espoused the cause of David's rival, hopes of speedy success are not to be entertained. But Providence dissolves the union between the son of Saul and his protector. Though Abner had made himself strong for the house of Saul, Providence turned his power to assist in effecting what he was endeavouring to prevent. It happened that Abner had taken a concubine of Saul's, and that Ishbosheth had imprudently reproved him. Abner is disgusted, rebels, and translates the kingdom to David.

    But Ishbosheth still lives. He must be removed to make way for David. Two of his own captains, even of his own tribe, conspired against him, and slew him. By wicked instruments, and by a deed which was disapproved and punished by David, was the rival of David taken out of the way. None can work like the Almighty. He effects his purposes by the wicked as well as by the righteous; by means which he condemns as well as by means which he commands. This is a depth unfathomable to our intellect.

    This, however, might have only exasperated the minds of the friends of the house of Saul against David. Divine Providence turned it otherwise. All Israel were now unanimous in calling the man after God's own heart to the throne. "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh." Why did they forget this lesson? Was it at this moment that their relation to David commenced? It was now that God impressed them with this sentiment: for now David must be the acknowledged king of all the tribes of Israel. David, as the type of Christ, must have a willing people in the day ©f his power. "Also in time past," they continue to say, "when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel." Why, then, was this so shamefully forgotten hitherto? Why does their gratitude now revive ?" And the Lord said to them," say they, "thou shalt feed my people, and thou shalt be captain over Israel." Why, then, did they, till this moment, rebel against what they knew to be the appointment of the Lord? Why do they now yield with child-like submission to this authority?