1. About twenty years had elapsed since David was anointed by Samuel, seven years and a half since he was anointed King of Judah; and at length, at the age of thirty-seven, his faith and patience were rewarded, every obstacle was removed out of his path, and the Divine purpose concerning his royal destination fulfilled. "In the fulness of time, at the right moment, in perfect vigour of mind and body, he grasped the supremacy which was offered to him, having passed through every outward stage of power and honour, and every inward test of heavy trial and varied strife" (Ewald).

2. His anointing (performed by prophet or priest) took place at the instance of the elders (ver. 3) as the representatives of all the tribes (ver. 1), in accordance with the former summons of Abner (2 Samuel 3:17, 19, 21), and doubtless after consultation in their national assembly (1 Samuel 8:4); now desirous and even eager (after long resistance) to accomplish the purpose of God, having "learnt by experience" the kind of king they needed, and being constrained by the pressure of circumstances.

3. "By his anointing by Samuel he acquired jus ad regnum, a right to the kingdom; and by his present anointing he had a jus in regno, authority over the kingdom" (A. Clarke). It was not merely a designation, but an inauguration to his office; a recognition and acceptance of his Divine appointment, as well as a symbol of his Divine endowment with all needful gifts (see 1 Samuel 10:1, 10; 1 Samuel 16:12); and it distinguished his person as sacred (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 26:11), inasmuch as he represented the authority and power of the Divine King of Israel. His anointing for the third; time marks one of the greatest days of Israel's history (2 Samuel 2:4; 1 Samuel 9:28; 10:24; 11:15); and, in connection with it, observe -

I. THE REASONS ASSIGNED BY THE ELDERS FOR THEIR PROPOSAL.

1. His personal relationship. "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh" (Genesis 29:14), expressive of their claims upon him, and of his qualification to rule over them; to understand their wants, sympathize with their aspirations, and promote their welfare (Deuteronomy 17:15). "The elders speak as if they had not been very sure whether they were to regard David as a Hebrew, or as a naturalized Philistine; but now their doubts are gone, they dwell on his blood relationship to them as a conclusive evidence that he would be out and out a Hebrew - that, therefore, he was worthy of the Hebrew crown" (Blaikie). So "in all things it behoved" the Captain of our salvation "to be made like unto his brethren" (Hebrews 2:17).

2. His proved ability and eminent services (ver. 2), indicative of his proper calling and the general esteem in which he was held (1 Samuel 16:5); "the bond of fellowship and love which had bound him to them, even under Saul, as leader in their military undertakings."

3. His previous designation. "According to the word of the Lord by Samuel" (1 Chronicles 11:3); making it their duty to seek his leadership as well as his to undertake it. "Why should they refer to God's choice of David?

(1) Because, although they had known all along that David had been fore-appointed to the throne, they had yet been struggling against that arrangement; and so it was fitting now that they should express their repentance and declare their readiness to receive him in God's name, and as from God's hand.

(2) Because they wished to remind him and themselves that the royal king of their nation was Jehovah, and that he and they were in allegiance to him" (W.M. Taylor). He did not "take this honour unto himself" without being "called of God" and desired by the people. It sought him rather than he it. And the grounds of his acceptance of it were (as is not always the case with those who assume royal office) unselfish, patriotic, and devout.

II. THE COVENANT MADE BY THE KING WITH THE ELDERS. "And King David made a covenant with [to] them before the Lord" (ver. 3). This covenant, agreement, or promise (whatever may have been its precise terms):

1. Expressed directly and chiefly an engagement, on his part, to rule over them according to the Divine will (Deuteronomy 17:16-20; 1 Samuel 10:25). He was by no means to be an absolute and irresponsible monarch, or "a king ruling arbitrarily as in heathen kingdoms, where at most a few nobles, the populace, or an imperfect oracular system limited his power;" but to be subject to the Law and to the voice of prophecy.

2. Involved the obligation, on their part, to obey him according to the same will (2 Samuel 3:21). "The Law of God was the rule and square of his government, whereunto both prince and people are sworn; which was a bridle against his absolute power or their rebellious manners" (Guild).

3. Was ratified in the most solemn manner - "in a form in which the theocratic principle is distinctly recognized." "The end and cause why God imprints in the weak and feeble flesh of man the image of his own power and majesty is not to puff up flesh in the opinion of itself; neither yet that he that is exalted above others should be lifted up by presumption and pride, and so despise others; but that he should consider he is appointed lieutenant of One whose eyes continually watch upon him and see and examine how he behaves himself in his office" (John Knox).

III. THE SPIRIT DISPLAYED BY THE PEOPLE, not only by the presence of the elders but also by that of the armed hosts, the flower of the nation, who marched to Hebron from all parts of the country, numbering (in addition to his "mighty men," 1 Chronicles 11:10-47; 2 Samuel 23:8-39; and those who had come to him during his exile, 1 Chronicles 12:1-22) 339,600, with two hundred chiefs of Issachar "and all their brethren," one thousand chiefs of Naphtali, and Zadok and twenty-two chiefs (1 Chronicles 12:23, 40). "All these men of war that could keep rank came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king."

1. Voluntary submission. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power" (Psalm 110:3).

2. National unanimity; such as is celebrated in Psalm 133. (written subsequently), 'Brotherly love' -

"Behold! how good and lovely it is
That (those who are) brethren should also dwell together!"

3. Enthusiastic devotion. "And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking; for their brethren had prepared for them," etc.

4. Abonnding joy. "For there was joy in Israel." This "gathering of the people" (Genesis 49:10) was a most memorable one (vers. 4, 5). In it the good hidden in their reprehensible desire for a king (l 1 Samuel 8:4-22) becomes apparent; we see the fruit of past labour, conflict, chastisement, and the seeds of future enterprise, success, advancement. "The kingship, as administered by David, appears neither as a necessary evil nor an improved constitution, but as a new ethic potency" (Oehler, 'Theology of the Old Testament' sec 165). "His career constitutes the culmination of that general advancement towards which the people of Israel had been aspiring with increasing energy for more than a century" (Ewald). - D.

Many men begin with influential parentage, social station, ample education, pecuniary competence, yet they travel a downhill road, falling first into neglect and then into oblivion. Physical greatness, social security, public applause are being continually rebuked, humiliated, and put to shame. The proverb wisely says, "Call no man happy until he is dead." The meaning is that at the very best a man may make a slip which will bring his whole life into degradation in every sense of the term. There is but a step between man and death — not physical death only, but the death of character, reputation, and influence. It remains with each man to say whether a good beginning shall have a good ending. This is a question of personal discipline, holy fellowship with God, and an acceptance of all processes which have been divinely established for the training and sanctification of man. The word comes with special urgency to young persons, to men of influence, to successful men, and to all who are plied by the temptations incident to high station and wide influence.

(J. Parker, D. D.)