Today's
reading starts with David, already having been recognized as the King of Judah,
being installed as the King of all Israel
Then David conquers Jerusalem which will become known as the City of David, and was not included in the inheritance of any tribe. Much like Washington D.C. is not part of any state, Jerusalem was David's and no one else's. John Bright in his A History of Israel applauds David's genius in choosing neutral ground for the spiritual and political center of Israel.
Finally,
after battling the Philistines, David establishes Zion
I
can't get over David's proclamation: I
will be humiliated in my own eyes. David refused to attenuate his
worship to make other people comfortable. His worship was for God's pleasure –
not to enhance his own status. David didn't care what other people thought. He
was a worshiper.
What’s
more important? What people think or what God thinks?
When
did what other people think become the most important thing?
After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.
ReplyDeleteCan you explain the difference between wives and concubines. It appears that the concubine that was cut into pieces - her father was referred to as his father-in-law. If a concubine was just a possession, would her parents still be in-laws? Did wives have more status as concubines and, if so, in what way? Could a concubine become a wife?
Excellent question, Merry. Concubines did not have the same status as wives, but as you noticed, they still came with inlaws. If I run across a definitive answer to your final question I will let you know.
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