2 Samuel 5
John Calvin · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Samuel 5
Calvin - David knew to what end God had exalted his reign: it was because of his people, Israel. David could easily have thought that God was making him prosper to maintain him as ruler over the kingdom. But to know the intention of God and to what end he does something takes far more prudence. David perceived that God was exalting him because of his people Israel. So David knew the reason why he was reigning. It was not for his personal profit but for the common salvation of all. This is well worth noting, for we must always remember that it is not enough for us to recognize the blessings of God. We must also always use those properly. How? When God has brought us back from some illness, when he has saved us from some danger, we must realize that he does this so we might thank him and honor his name. Moreover, let us realize that we must apply everything we are granted to his service. In sum, let us learn that, whenever God shows mercy to his people or to an individual member of the body, it is so that we will call on him and recognize him as the author of every good, then give ourselves to his service and dedicate all that we have to it. On the other hand, when I see that God has set me apart for some service, I must realize that it is not because of me that he has prolonged my life but because he wants to use me in the service of his church. This is the prudence we should manifest whenever God favors us. Let us realize that these blessings are not to be useless but always think: God has preserved me so many times. I must, therefore, show that I am aware of this. 2 Samuel 5:13 Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David. Ge 25:5,6 De 17:17 1Ch 3:9 1Ch 14:3-7 2Ch 11:18-21 13:21 Related Passages: 1 Chronicles 14:3-7 Then David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet. Click to Enlarge David's Family Tree Source: Bibletales.online DAVID EXPANDS HIS POLYGAMY & HIS FAMILY Meanwhile David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron; and more sons and daughters were born to David - Wives in the ancient near east were a sign of wealth and success and also a way to make political alliance. The number of David's wives showed that David was willing to live a life of splendor of an ancient monarch, but it would reap sorrowful consequences for him, not to mention that it set a pattern for Solomon imitated and which eventually led to his ruin and splitting of the Kingdom of Israel (1Ki 11:1-17). David is directly disobeying the LORD'S clear instruction in Dt 17:17+ “He (THE KING OF ISRAEL) shall not multiply wives for himself, (HERE IS THE PROBLEM) or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself."
2 Samuel 5
Calvin - There was a reason why God commanded David to go behind his enemies and not to attack them directly. For our faith must be proved in various ways, and if David had always conquered his enemies in one way, he would not have been so keenly aware of the help of God. There was another benefit in David’s recognizing that God could smite his enemies both from the back and from the front. He could punish them one way now, and another way later, thereby cleverly surprising them. When one means fails us, God has more than a million more in his hand to offer us. That is what David recognized. Likewise, let us carefully recognize that when God uses different methods that we do not understand with our own minds, we must humble ourselves and adore his wisdom. When he is hidden from us and we cannot see the reason why he acts as he does, we must turn everything over to him and accept as good everything that he declares to be his will. This is how the foolishness of God overcomes the wisdom of the world (1 Cor. 1:25). When we cannot understand why God does something, we show arrogance in our nature when we presume to be his judges and boldly condemn him. Men have tried all sorts of trickery to find ways to contradict God, but they only remain confounded. Well, then, that is the point: God takes care of his people in such strange ways that we cannot understand why he uses various approaches. But when God’s way seems foolish to us, let us learn to receive with deep sobriety and reverence what we know has proceeded from him.