We now leave the collection of psalms and return to the life of David. Here is a record of David's family.

DAVID’S FAMILY 

WIVES                                                SONS- the first 6 born in Hebron, the last 13 born in Jerusalem

1. Michal-------------------------had no children
2. Ahinoam---------------------Amnon
3. Abigal------------------------Kileab
4. Maacah-----------------------Absolom - Tamar is his sister
5. Haggith-----------------------Adonijah
6. Abital-------------------------Shephatiah
7. Elgah-------------------------Ithream
8. Bathsheba--------------------Shammua

Shobab

                                                            Nathan

                                                            Solomon

      Born to unknown wives---------   Ibhar

                                                            Elishua

                                                            Eliphelet

                                                            Nogah

                                                            Nepheg

                                                            Japhia

                                                            Elishama

                                                            Eliada

                                                            Eliphelet

CONCUBINES         

David had at least 10 concubines.  (2 Samuel 15:16) Sons were born to them as well, but there is no record of those sons.  2 Samuel 5:13 records that there were sons and daughters born to David in Jerusalem but scripture only records the name of Tamar, probably only because of what happened to her and the consequences that ensued.   

As David's health fails, a young beautiful virgin is brought to him to wait on him and keep him warm.  The reason the girl was a virgin is to prove later on that David had no sexual relations with her.  This way, she would be free to marry later having maintained her virginity.

                                         

David’s son Adonijah (one of the sons born to him in Hebron) attempts to take over as king. When his attempted coup is thwarted and Adonijah’s supporters leave him, Adonijah “took hold of the horns of the altar”. Was he seeking the Lord’s protection by holding on to the corners of the altar?

Zadok is a prominent player.  Pay careful attention to this very important person as we continue to read about him.

Solomon is anointed king at a place called Gihon.  This is a spring near Jerusalem.

In David’s last words to his son Solomon, he tells him to destroy his enemies in order to secure peace for Solomon’s kingdom. He also mentions a man named Barzillia who was faithful to him. While he may have mentioned others that are not recorded here, it seems as if this man is highly rewarded for his  faithfulness to the king.

Will we be highly rewarded for our faithfulness to THE King?

There is mention made in 1 Chronicles 29:29-30 of other written records; from Samuel the seer, Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer.  Samuel's records are found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. The records of Nathan the prophet and Gad the seer are not so easily found.  The last known copy of Gad the seer was done in the  400s AD.

As we end the entry for today, we will again make the pronouncement, "Always amazed, never surprised!"  God continues to amaze us at how He highlights verses for us - verses that we have read numerous times before as we have skimmed over some very significant ones.  Here is what was highlighted for us today.

In 2 Samuel 23 there is a great prayer for nation's leaders. (verses 3-5).  If only our leaders today would rule in righteousness and fear of God.  Verse 3 contains the words, "...the rock of Israel said to me..."  The rock of Israel is none other than Jesus Christ.
1Co 10:4
and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Verses 6 and 7 are prophetic of what will happen to David's enemies and also to our enemies.  Enemies are those evil people who do not know the one true God.  They follow after Baal, Asherah, Moleck, Dagon, and many others in David's day.  They follow after Buddah, Allah, etc. today.  David is very clear what will happen to those people - they will be burned up.  He also warns us not to touch them, have no fellowship with them.

Ephesians 5:11

Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead let your lives be so in contrast as to expose and reprove and convict them. 

And then right in the middle is this verse.
2 Samuel 23:5
Is not my house right with God?  Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part?  Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?

As we have discovered throughout the reading of the psalms, David spoke both literally and prophetically.  This verse certainly speaks to the immediate and literal details in the life of David, his kingdom, and his family.  However, it goes much deeper than that.  This speaks to the everlasting covenant WE have concerning our salvation and our future existence with God.  In eternity, we will definitely be granted our EVERY desire.  How could we not be granted our every desire - it's heaven!!!