2 Samuel – 1 Kings 1:1-40

David deeply mourned the death of beloved Jonathan and Saul the king,
They were bold heroes never fearing anything…
In Israel great changes then took place,
One era ended – an altogether new one was to face.
Now David 30 years of age, inquired of the LORD where he should go –
The answer was to Hebron.
With his two wives and all his men,
They travelled on to settle in the cities there in Hebron.
And the men of Judah came, anointing David for their king.

But Abner, captain of Saul’s host, put Ishbosheth, Saul’s son then on his post,
Made him king of Israel, Benjamin and Ephraim.
There was war between them for long time,
David did increase, while Ishbosheth continued to decline.
Then all the tribes of Israel to David then did come
Saying, “we are all one, be thou our king alone.”
And they anointed David there in Hebron.

……………

He and his host went to Jerusalem, smiting the Jebusites the blind and lame,
Took the stronghold there in Zion, called the city now of David,
He dwelt there in the fort, built and strengthened it from Milo on and inward.
David prospered, God was with him, he increased in power –
The former Shepherd boy was blessed and brought to honour.
Th LORD established David’s kingship, exalted before nations the kingdom
Of His people by David’s faithful rulership.

His mind was set to serve the LORD, obey Him, trusting in His word.
God was his buckler, strength and shield, his heart with gratitude was filled.
To glorify the Holy One was his desire and ambition,
Noble projects he did have in vision.
Having built a house and family enlarged, borders of the land secure,
David’s mind with holy zeal was charged
In Jerusalem provide the ark of God a resting place with a new tabernacle. –
Offering of sacrifices on the way, David dancing, the people shouting,
It was one happy day, a joyful great spectacle.

…………..

Yet his most dear and solemn enterprise and mission,
To the God of his salvation – was to build a House, a glorious Temple –
This fervent wish in David woke such holy awe, causing him to slightly tremble.
But God to David’s wish approve did not,
He was a man of war, had shed much blood,
A son be born to him; in time of peace and rest,
Will erect God’s House, and all the land of Israel be blessed.
In David’s forty years of rule as king, God’s favour was with him,
Granting victories in war and battle, gaining much booty, spoil and cattle.
Was generous to all his host and subjects,
And the people loved him – he was blessed in all his quests.
Throughout the years receiving gifts of gold and silver
Precious stones, in every enterprise, David did it on this wise –
With the blueprint for the Temple, collect, donates it all to God,
Built for all a storehouse on a special plot.
For many years as king the son of Jesse did to well,
Yet in his later life, the Bible does us tell,
Because prosperity did come with ease, David’s consecration,
devotion, begun to slowly cease, then temptation, sin lies lurking nigh,
Causing holy angels soon to sigh and cry.
David leading out in battle, was always his right thing,
But of late, let others – Joab to do the fighting.
Ambition did grow slack and he stayed home,
Enjoying leisure, to relax.
Then temptation, lust and passion rolled over David in one hour,
Satan ensnared him by his hellish power.
One night of forbidden pleasure, led to deeds of tragic measure,
Blinding David’s reason ever further,
Even instigating the most heinous murder.
Love for Bathsheba marred the life of Israel’s king,
Troubles would arise, God’s frown and judgment for this very thing.
But when confronted by God’s prophet face to face,
David’s conscience awakened from its foggy daze.
At last he saw his great, enormous sin, his soul was pierced with pain,
And sorrow by the sharpness of guilt’s arrows.
Shaking mind and soul down to the core,
David’s heart was broken, repenting deeply, weeping very sore.
He was forgiven and restored, but his sin did have its price,
Serious conflicts soon arise,
The sixth commandment was transgressed,
Bathsheba’s child will die, the sword not cease,
Three of David’s sons will rob his household’s peace.

………………..

Then God did bless Bathsheba’s second son,
And He loved him, his name was given Solomon.
The crime of Amnon done to Tamar later on,
His murder urged by Tamar’s brother Absalom,
It made David very wroth, estranged him from his son.
Five years later they reconciled again,
Then Absalom begun to make his own campaign.
With his good looks, compelling speech,
To be a fair judge, sneakily the people’s heart to reach.
Years later during David’s reign,
Wicked Absalom came to the king, speaking softly as to feign
Perform a vow he had in Hebron, and he was granted the petition.
Absalom with two hundred men came down from Jerusalem
Having arranged through spies in all the land,
All to come and be at hand, to do the very thing,
At the trumpet’s sound in Hebron to proclaim him king…

……………………………..

When David heard of the conspiracy, he commanded right away to flee,
His life and kingship are at stake, wise decisions must be made.
Passing over the brook Kidron with a great and numerous throng,
Of faithful servants to the wilderness there in plain, with all safely to remain.
He told Zadok, Abiathar the priests who came that far,
Take back the ark of God and tarry in Jerusalem,
Till through the sons of them bring David tidings,
What is decided in Jerusalem, when Absalom returned from Hebron.
Hushai, David’s friend shall go to Absalom,
Feigning be his counsellor and servant,
Take note of all he hears what is valid, relevant,
Then tell it to the priests, speedily to send their sons to David,
That great calamities may be avoided.
Through great risks the news came to the king:
They must leave at once, not one moment missing,
Pass over Jordan, to be safely on the land there in the morning.

…………………………….

Fierce confrontation then arose, a bitter fighting with much loss
Of Israel on the side of Absalom.
And when he through the woods did roam,
His long thick hair entangled on the great oak’s bough
Hanging helpless in the air in despair,
His mule run off beneath him – then fate caught up with him,
When Joab’s arrows pierced his heart, the fight was over –
All could now return, depart.
Though a rebellious son, David sorely grieved for Absalom.
But secure again was now the throne, he and his host
Could safely go back home.

…………………..

Other incidences did happen, the Philistines brought on new war
But lost, by the mighty men of David’s host.
Then to one more foolish thing the king fell under,
Against Joab’s counsel the men of Israel to number –
Then realizing his great sin, David’s heart did smite him.
But God was sore displeased, He sent the pestilence to rage,
Three days, many thousand lives were taken, it left David thoroughly shaken…

……………………………

He got old, the many wars and troubles made him weak and weary.
Then another son arose and did not tarry,
prepared himself an entourage to make him king,
But David did not know of anything.
Providence sends prophet Nathan and Bathsheba,
Making the king know what was going on,
For God did promise Solomon be on the throne.
At once the king gave orders, to priest Zadok, Nathan many others,
Set on his own mule son Solomon, to bring him down to Gihon,
Anoint him there, proclaim him king,
Over Israel and Judah to fulfill what God was promising.

Edda Tedford, Canada

Note: A short epilogue will follow.