2 Samuel 5:1-5 – Divine timing is everything

David was anointed to be king by Samuel in Bethlehem when he was still a youth. Like every plan of God, the calling is one but the preparation for the role is another. So in the years leading up to the moment, he was first made king in Judah, and finally, over all of Israel, David went through a period of preparation. He co-operated with God and was not found to be in a hurry. Any lesser man would have taken matters into his own hand and asserted his right to seize the throne. But not David. He trusted God and patiently waited for the words released by Samuel to take its course in God’s time and schedule. We all can be sure that when God places a call on our lives, He also knows when we are ready to assume the role.  

Every event that David went through was part of God’s preparation and providential move to get him ready for the throne. Abner had paved the way and with Ish-bosheth’s death, the last hurdle was removed by God. So the people of Israel came to Hebron to coronate him king of united Israel. Firstly, they recognized that David was no stranger, he was, in fact, a part of them. He was a kinsman, their very own “bone and flesh.” Secondly, they acknowledged that even when Saul was king, it was David who galvanized all of Israel. Thirdly, they knew that it was God’s ordained plan for David to be their shepherd i.e. their ruler. For a fuller picture of how great support he had, this passage of 2 Samuel 5:1-5 must be seen together with 1 Chronicles 1:1-3 and 12:23-40. They give us the number of people who came to him from Israel. Practically all the tribes of Israel were represented. They all came to Hebron to anoint David as their king. The author of the book of 1 Chronicles added that they all came with a whole heart and singular purpose. And for three days they celebrated with Joy. David was 30 years of age when he became king. He ruled over Israel for some 40 years. Seven and a half years he was king over Judah and for 33 years he ruled over united Israel.

One key lesson we see from David’s life is about timing. When we are in God’s program, we will realize that He has a schedule for every experience, positive or negative, to get us to where we finally should be. And we will also realize that He is always on time and on schedule. God alone knows the perfect time for every stage we ought to be in. He knows when we should start or when we should end and how long we should be there. It will never be too early, too late, or too long, despite human engineering or manipulation. While waiting to reach where we should be, God expects patience but a whole lot of faith in Him. When the moment arrives, we will realize that it is worth all the waiting. And while waiting, do it with a good and God-pleasing attitude!