First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3

Coronation

1 Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, "Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. YHWH said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'" 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before YHWH; and they anointed David king over Israel.

World English Bible

Have you ever been praised by people? Have these same people torn you down? What happened?

Second Samuel was edited from earlier materials around or after the Babylonian exile (sixth century B.C.). This book was one of series of books that showed the historical rise and fall of the nation's monarchy. The reign of David was the high point of the books. For, the books painted David as the ideal king, the one to which every other king was compared.

These few passages mark the beginning of David's reign. Representatives from all the Israelite tribe gather at the coronation to pledge their allegiance to David. At the same time, David and the tribes rededicate themselves to the Lord.

Notice how this scene is so different from the crucifixion Luke portrays. Both scenes speak of an acclamation from the people. David proclaimed a hero; Jesus cynically derided as a failure. Both scenes implicitly look forward to the reign of the king. David showed the way to a united nation; Jesus showed the way to life beyond death. Both scenes showed God's will, but in different ways. David would foreshadow the Messiah. The One who forgave even on the cross.

How do you praise Jesus in your daily life?