PRAYER - "Sound in the Mulberry Trees"

As soon as the Philistines heard that David was King of Israel, they declared war. David always prayed to God for instructions in times of crisis. The LORD said to go after them. David attacked the Philistines. They fled, leaving their idols behind. David burned them. The Philistines regrouped. David prayed again. The LORD told him what to do. David obeyed, and smote them soundly.

2 Samuel 5:24 - "When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, ...bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."

PRINCIPALS - "David Takes Jerusalem"

Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem, so David and his army took Mount Zion, renaming it "the City of David." He promised to promote the man who would climb up the watercourse, penetrate the walls, and smite the Jebusites. Thus Joab became General (I Chronicles 27:34). David moved into the citadel and "grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him." Hiram of Tyre sent cedar, carpenters and masons, and built David a house.

2 Samuel 5:12 - "David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake."

PRINCIPLES - "Celebrate God's Presence"

David brought the Ark of the Covenant from Kirjath-jearim on a new cart. Uzzah handled the tottering Ark, and God angrily killed him. David stored it at Obededom's house for three months, then finished the trip. David made sacrifices and danced before the LORD with all his might. Tens of thousands celebrated and played instruments. Moses' tabernacle had everything else, but no glory. David's tabernacle had nothing but glory.

2 Samuel 6:17 - "They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it."

PROPHECIES - "Cursed for Criticizing"

Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was an epic event. God's glory was finally in the city of David. David demonstrated wildly, dancing in the streets while multitudes celebrated. His wife Michal despised his worship, and harshly rebuked him. But God loved it, and David persisted, "It was before the LORD, which chose me ...ruler over the people, ...therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight."

2 Samuel 6:23 - "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death."