The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-09-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
Indicated abovel
SUBJECT: DAvID's INAUGURATION AT HEB
RON AND THE CAPITAL MOVED TO JERUsA-
LEM.
/. Data.
We have data as to David's final amounting
and the change of the Capital to Jerusalem in
two OF the historic books of the Old Testament,
TO wit, Sam, 5: LIP; CHI, IL 10; IL: 90
4O, and ID: |, 2. The student will make mis-
take ii he fail to read critically all these ac-
counts. The account in the second book of
Samuel was probably written by Cad, while the
reports in the first book of tho Chronicles was
doubtless by Ezra. All was most likely record
ed quite spontaneously with the events.
q Time
David was practically crowned the second
King of Israel in the year 1857 A. NJ, or I047
-. {. 50 we are carried back 1896 years.
Samuel, Saul, all tho sons Of Saul and Abner
were dead. David had been anointed by Sam
nei about 10 years before our lesson. Il Sam,
1911 Homer was born about so years after
the Inauguration of David, and hence only
little after the death of David
3. Place.
Learning of the death of Saul and his sons
by an Amalekite youth e Sam / l-I0), David
thinks 1t time to leave the wilderness of Parau.
II Sam, %: ~ Hc need not longer fear tho
threatonings of Saul. lie had been anoiuted
the successor of the first King. and the time
had arrived for action. But David consults
tho will Of God. lie is instructed to go to Heb
ron and make that place his headquarters
(2: ID We find him there when our lesson
opens. Hebron was very ancient city. (Nu.,
ID: 22.) 1t was special gift to Caleb, on &C.
count of his fidelity as spy sent into Canaan.
Absalom, in his rebellion, made it his govern
mental center. q Sa., Is: : 0) David made it
the Capital for seven and one-half years at the
beginning of his reign. q sam, 2:l1 l XII,
2: IL; Chr, 81: ~ Hebron was in the south
ern part of Judah, west of the Dead Sea.
4. Preliminary.
Saul and all of his posterity, eligible at once
to the Isrselish throne were dead. David had
been anointed King. Even Ish-bOsheth was out
of the way. Aud Abner was dead The way
seemed all open for David. He moved out
from tho wilderness. TO which he had fed to
escape the rage of Saul, and entered the old
city of Hebron. Not only had Samuel years
before an0inted David, but no sooner had he
well gotten settled in Hebron than the men of
Judah insisted on his coronation by junction.
ga Common consent pointed to David as
the destined King
g. The Final AnoiHiing.
Providence moves slowly but surely. de-
eade Of years before our lesson Samuel took his
horn, or vial, of oil. sought out the ruddy youth
and designated him by anointment for the
kingship. The southern part of Judah had
declared their allegiance to him. Now We find
David recognized nationally. Spontaneously
tho people rose as one to make David King Of
all Israel. Il Ch, IL: 3s.) The season covered
three days and was full of JOY and feasting. Il
CHI, u 39)
/. The place. 1t was Hebron, place asso-
ciated with the history of the earliest en-
trance of the Israeitcs into Canaan. Near it
was Machpelah, where rested the bodies Of
Abraham, Sarah and other national characters
dear 10 The Jewish race in the Promised Land.
2. The young King. lie vas Jesse's young
est son. Killing Goliath, he was famous aud
popular. He had been selected by the dicta-
tion of Jehovah. lie was as our lesson opens
30 years of age. ". &. Compare M, 4: 5. and
st. Luke. 3: 23.) lie was ia mature manhood,
able TO bear the labors aud cares of Govern
mont for many years.
3. BY whom anointed? We read "they
nnointcd David" We understand by "they"
the Elders mentioned just before. We may
suppose the act performed in reality by some
leading priest, the amounting being ia fact u
religious rite. Possibly by anointed in v 3
we are 10 have In mind rather the idea OF CON-
mon consent. recognition and Endorsement of
David's literal anontment by Samuel.
T. We notice that the welcome of David "a
lieut. to il. was at the urgent unanimous solicit
tation of the masses Of Israelitrs from all over
the Promised Land. Clisad Chr, IL: 23-40.)
They ask the privilege Of becoming his sub
jects. They want an opportunity OF formally
expressing thoir loyalty To him. They nso ar
guments TO show why David should consent to
take the crown aud handle tho scepter. a. He
was not foreigner. He was OF their own
blood and nationality. He could sympathize
with them. lie know them and could adapt
governmental discipline to their needs b. He
had proved his merit by grand heroic deeds in
tho interest of tho Israelites. Reference is
probably had in special 10 his conquest over
Goliath. c. II was Gods will he become King
". p Such King must be a success. There
was assurance of Gods help and recognition.
To people believing IN jehovah that WAS an
Important fact. d. He was tho unanimous
choies of the people. Il Chr, 12: 3S.l
3. Davld's work as King. a. He Was to go
on leading tho people. ". q David was q
brave man; ft TO inspire courage in others;
demanding respect and obedience. b. lie was
to feed his people. He was 10 resemble a shep-
herd. The literal feeding of sheep he fully
understood. He was not only to dispense law,
but to exercise tender care. c. He was To reign.
Ho was firm executive officer. Government
was not sentiment with him. He saw the
call for order. d. He was TO be Captain. The
Jews were hemmed In by enemies. They were
necessarily "a military people. ruler with
them meant also General in military CON-
mand. Many wars were TO be fought, much
conquest of territory tn be- made many ma
tonal sights and wrongs from heather ma
tons to be redressed.
q. The covenant. The Government over the
Israeltes by David was not tyrannieal. David's
was not All unlimited monarchy. sort of
Magma Charta, a governmental Constitution,
was drafted. David promised to DO "a faithful
ruler, while the people pledged their faith to
be dutful subjects
z. The reign. Ii covered 40 years. For three
and one-hali years the seat of Government was
at Hebron; tho remainder of his term of office
was passed Mt the new Capital, Jebus (Vs. 4, 5;
l XII, 2: IL; Chron., 3:4.)
@. The Capital Remoped
David transferred the Capital from Hebron
to Jerusalem. During the Kingship of Saul
Gibeah was the headquarters of the Govern
ment For seven and one-half years David
had Hebron for the Capital But now he de-
eided on scizing Jerusalem for his governmental
center. Why changer Hebron was at the ex-
treme southern end of the country A CAPITAL
should BIO central. Gibeah was in a more suit
able locality, but ii would be nnwiso to revive
any memories of Saul and disagreeable 10 be-
amid reminders of wrath aud danger Rulers
iii early times were quite inclined to originate
their own Capitals, giving greater individuality,
distinctness and uniqueness 10 their reigns
So Asshur. tGen., 10: H. Notice how the
Edomite Capital changed with different Kings
Bella had Dinhabah. Hadad had AVith, fGen
SO: $3.50 1t is better. however that Capital
be retaine1 enriched becoma fnmona with