Though at times David’s wilderness period must have seemed endless, yet in the fullness of time the Lord fulfilled His promise and David did become king. Saul died by his own hand after being mortally wounded in battle with the Philistines. Jonathan was killed in that same battle (1 Sam. 31). After a period of civil war with Saul’s descendants, David was finally acknowledged and anointed as king over all Israel (2 Sam. 1–5).
David took the lead in noting and celebrating the enormous change that had now taken place. In this time of fulfillment, David believed that the Lord Himself would be enthroned among His people. He prepared to bring the ark, the most visible symbol of God’s presence among His people, into the new capital city, Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6). A special dwelling was prepared for the ark, but that was only a temporary arrangement. Since the people no longer wandered about in tents, then neither should the Lord. Since the king dwelt in a palace, the Lord should also have a palace (2 Sam. 7). Plans were made for the building of a glorious temple. It would, of course, be David’s son who actually built the house for God, but David planed for it and made the provision (1 Chron. 22).
“Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory” (Ps. 24:9–10).
David also provided that the Lord would henceforth be worshiped in a more glorious manner. First Chronicles describes all that David did to provide for this. With the ark at rest, the Levites, who formerly carried the ark, were given new duties (1 Chron. 6:31–48; 16:1–42; 23:24–32). David commanded that the Levites be organized into musical guilds, some for singing and some for instrumental accompaniment (1 Chron. 15:16). Three divisions of musicians were organized under the leadership of Heman, Asaph, and Ethan (1 Chron. 15:17). Kenaniah was put in charge of the singing because he was skillful at it (1 Chron. 15:22—we should not miss the good sense in this). Four thousand were appointed to praise the Lord with the instruments David made for giving praise (1 Chron. 23:5). David also composed many psalms to be used for the worship of God. It was a time for the flowering of the musical arts, all in praise and adoration for the King of Glory, all according to the command of God through His prophets (2 Chron. 29:25).
The coming of the kingdom under David and Solomon foreshadowed and signified the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes through the work of great David’s Greater Son. The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), the root and offspring of David (Rev. 22:16), has now come forth as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He has overcome temptation and conquered sin and death. He has cast out the ruler of this world (John 12:31). He has bound the strong man and now is plundering his property (Matt. 12:29). Therefore He invites to Himself all who are weary and heavy laden, for He will give them rest (Matt. 11:28–30). Now that He has completed purification for sins, He has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3). He has been welcomed into heaven and crowned as King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore all who are in heaven worship Him saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12).
Just as David’s victories and kingdom called for a glorious worship of God, so the victory of our King and Messiah, Jesus Christ, calls for glorious worship. David saw it in his days. The angels in heaven have seen it in our days.
We are commanded to sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things (Ps. 98:1). Since the Lord reigns, the earth is to rejoice (Ps. 97:1). Because the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods, we are to sing for joy to the Lord, to shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation, to come before His presence with thanksgiving, to shout joyfully to Him with psalms (Ps. 95:11–3).
Is the worship you bring to God reflecting the glory of a triumphant King who has brought rest to His people, victory over His enemies, and fulfillment to His promises? David made great provisions for noting and celebrating the arrival of the kingdom in his day. What provision have you made for the worship of God? Do you do it with all your might? Are your talents dedicated to His service? Has your wealth been consecrated to Him? Would anything less than all you have be worthy of Him?
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28).
