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Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

Israelites were not supposed to be Tyre and Egypt in the name of trade,
counted (2 Sam. 4:1-25). peace and security. This was against
the law, which prohibited Israel from
He broke the covenant law regarding making alliances with pagan nations
the covenant box, which stated, “No instead of trusting in God (2 Sam. 8:7).
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Israelite was supposed to have sexual He misled his son Solomon. He advised
intercourse when Israel and the covenant him to get revenge on his enemies to kill
box were at war but instead had sex
with Bathsheba” (2 Sam. 11:1-5). He Joab (1 Kings 2:1-9).
practised polygamy, which was against
God’s instructions. In Israel, a king was However, we see that David humbled
not supposed to multiply women for himself when God rebuked him through
himself (Deut. 17:14-20). Prophet Nathan for the sin he had
committed by killing Uriah and taking
He failed to have control over his family his wife (2 Sam. 11-12). Contemporary

at his later age. For example, his son political leaders must be ready to listen
Amnon raped his sister Tamar, and to the voices of religious leaders when
Absalom organised revenge against they warn them of the wrongs, injustice
Amnon and killed him (2 Sam. 13:1-29). or misuse of resources.
He practised tribalism and nepotism.
For instance, he did royal favours to Activity 2.4
the southerners at the expense of the
northerners (2 Sam. 8:16-18). This Read the life stories of King David (1
situation divided the kingdom of Israel. Sam. 10:1 – 1 Kings 1:4): relate their
David killed Saul’s wives and family leadership with the current African
members; after assuming power, he took leaders.
Saul’s wives and family members and
killed them (2 Sam 16:5-14). Exercise 2.4

He failed to control his officers and gave 1. King David is regarded as ‘a man
them excessive powers to do whatever of peace and promoter of Justice.’
they wanted. For example, Adoniram Assess the truth of this contention.
was in charge of forced labour. He 2. Mention some lessons that modern
introduced forced labour and subjected Tanzania leaders may learn from
his fellow Israelites to forced labour and King David to become successful
even appointed Adơ-ram to be in charge leaders.
of forced labour (2 Sam. 20:24). He
made alliances with pagan nations like

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