This is the fourth installment in the series I am teaching this fall on the “Rise and Fall of Israel’s Monarchs”, which is a study on the Kings of Israel and Judah. In this portion of our study we will cover the portion of David’s life when he takes over as the King of Israel and Judah. After the death of Saul a civil war breaks out between the house of Saul (led by his son whose name was Ish-bosheth) and the house of David. The tribes of Israel will follow Ish-bosheth and the tribes of Benjamin and Judah will follow David. Eventually David’s following will grow strong and he will become the sole ruler of a United Kingdom of Israel at the age of 30. David will eventually move the capital to Jerusalem and will rule from there for about 33 years. During these years David’s family will grow and the kingdom will expand. David will be responsible for the implementation of the priesthood and re-focus attention on obedience to the Law and the elimination of idol worship within the kingdom. The Lord will make a covenant with David in which the Lord tells David that He will make his name great and that David’s throne would be established forever. David has a desire to build a house (Temple) for the Lord but that job is reserved for his son Solomon. David will be quite successful in defeating the neighboring countries causing them to fear the Lord and make peace with the people of Israel. This was probably the best years of David’s 40 year reign as king before things begin to unravel a bit.
Lesson 3 – King David (Student Copy)
Good News Bible Studies - Mike Southwick 