All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘Look, we are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our ruler, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns, and the LORD said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become Israel's king.” (vv.1-3)
The key to David’s kingship and the re-unification of all Israel is found in the first sentence, “All the tribes of Israel came to David,” He could have tried and force the tribes under his authority and power. After all, he had been anointed years ago by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13) and more recently anointed king over the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4). He had ample opportunity to take advantage of the situation for his own benefit, but he did not. He knew that if he did, then his authority as King would be that of an “overlord”, not as a King who ruled by acclamation and consent.
1 Chronicles 12:23-40 describes the great assembly that gathered in Hebron to recognize David as king over all Israel. Chronicles describes the impressive army that came to Hebron and numbers the soldiers at over 340,000 men. It then describes the scene: All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them…. for there was joy in Israel (1 Chronicles 12:38-40).
David was prepared to wait for this moment so that his authority would be accepted by all the people as coming from God and not from himself. God was in control of the destiny of His people; it all needed to take time, and David was willing to wait on God despite the temptations to do otherwise.
What a great lesson in patience for us, to wait upon God and resist the temptation to, “Help God out.”
The Truth: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-4)
