Page 32 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

war, so he set a good example. David David founded a dynasty that lasted for
was also a good musician. He composed 40 years, and even after the disintegration
numerous songs, for example, Psalms of the United Kingdom, his descendants
51 and organised various groups of continued ruling the southern kingdom
musicians amongst the Israelites (2 (Judah). David established a strong army
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Sam. 6:12-14). for Israel. He created a disciplined army
to defeat his enemies like the Philistines,
He promoted monotheism. He carried promoting peace and unity in Israel (2
away all the idols the Philistines had Sam.8:16). He was an efficient political
left behind and burnt them. He also administrator who divided Israel into 20
respected God’s messengers, such as units for easy governance. He developed
Nathan (2 Sam. 7:3). He upheld the idea a decentralised system of administration
of theocracy and mosaic traditions. He where he had officials like Adoniram in
knew that God was the overall king of charge of forced labour and Nathan, the
Israel. Accordingly, he always consulted court prophet (2 Sam. 8:15-18).
Him (2 Sam. 7:18).
He was a repentant man. For example,
He worked for his people, united all he repented after committing adultery;
tribes of Israel and brought unity to his God forgave him and promised him an
people. As a strong warrior, he fought everlasting dynasty (2 Sam. 12:13).
for his people to maintain peace in his
kingdom. He brought security, peace David also teaches that for leaders to
and stability to Israel by conquering maintain good governance, they must
the Philistines, the Amalekites and check their moral integrity. David made
the Edomites, who had destroyed the his people obedient to God. To maintain
Israelites’ settlements. Furthermore, good governance, leaders must guarantee
King David killed Goliath, who had their people freedom of worship.
terrorised Israel. Hence, he restored
peace in the entire kingdom of Israel (2 Failures of King David
Sam. 8:1). Although David was a brilliant warrior,
silencing his enemies with a mighty
David promoted trade in Israel. He hand and a just king, he failed in moral
established and developed trade with integrity by taking a wife of Uriah
other countries, especially Tyre and and killing him (2 Kings 11:1-27).
Egypt, meaning that he had to open up Sometimes, leaders misuse their office
highways (2 Sam 8:7). He extended and cause injustice.
Israel’s boundaries through his wars
of conquest by capturing all the land He organised an illegal census against
from Israel’s neighbours that had been the will of God, leading to the death of
promised to Abraham (2 Sam. 8:3). 70,000 people. This was bad because

Form Five Student’s Book 23