2 Samuel 5:6-12: a reflection

6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.” 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city. 8David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.” 9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward. 10David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him. 11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. 12David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

David captures the stronghold of Zion and makes it his city, and the account marks his rise: And David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him. His success is explained not by his own skill or strength, but by God's presence with him. And David himself understood this, and understood something more: he perceived that the LORD had established him as king, and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel, not for David's own glory.

Notice the two things David understood about his rise. First, its source: he grew greater because the LORD was with him; his success came from God's presence, not his own ability. And second, its purpose: God had established him and exalted his kingdom for the sake of the people, not for David's own honor. David saw that what he had was given by God and given for others, not achieved by himself or given for himself.

That is a wise way to understand whatever we accomplish or attain. When we rise, succeed, gain influence, we are prone to credit ourselves and to use what we have gained for our own glory. But David saw the truth: his rise came from God's presence, and his position was given for the good of others. Whatever you accomplish or attain, remember these two things: it comes from God being with you, not from yourself; and it is given for the good of others, not for your own glory. Hold your successes humbly, crediting God who gave them, and use whatever you have gained for the sake of others, as David understood his kingdom was given for his people, not himself.

Lord, David grew greater because you, the God of Armies, were with him; and he understood that you had established him and exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people, not for his own glory. Give me that same understanding of whatever I accomplish or attain. When I rise, succeed, or gain influence, I am prone to credit myself and to use what I have gained for my own glory. But David saw the truth: his rise came from your presence, and his position was given for the good of others. Help me remember these two things about whatever I gain: that it comes from you being with me, not from myself; and that it is given for the good of others, not for my own glory. Help me hold my successes humbly, crediting you who gave them, and use whatever I have for the sake of others. Keep me from pride and self-seeking, and let all I attain serve you and others.