Quick notes about David & Jesus (food for thought)
At the church I currently serve at we provide suggestions for individuals and families for a devoted time each day in worship to the Lord. Each week we recommend some songs, a prayer focus topic, and roughly 5-6 chapters of reading. This week we've been reading through 2nd Samuel and I noticed something I had never seen before.
In 2 Samuel 6 there is the story of the Ark of God brought into the new Capital city of David, Jerusalem. In the chapter there is a mix of a great many things - there is the death of Uzzah, a man who reached out and touched the Ark (2 Sam 6:6-7), there is David becoming angry and afraid of the Lord and in turn sending the Ark to Obed-Edom the Gittite (2 Sam 6:8-11), then there is praise as the Ark is brought into Jerusalem and David gets into a spat with his wife Michal (2 Sam 6:12-16; 20-23 boy did they have an awkward marriage), and then in the middle of this spat there was worship via burnt offerings before the Lord (2 Sam 6:17-19).
It's in this little section of verse 17-19 that something occurs which I had never before made a connection with Jesus as the "greater David". We often think of David as a forerunner, preview, type, or shadow of the great Messiah who was to come (Jesus known as Christ). It is good and right to make connections of David's anointing and Jesus' baptism, of David's victory over Goliath and Jesus' victory of all the evil powers, of David's rule extending the borders of his kingdom and the ever-expanding never-ending kingdom of Jesus.
But here in 2 Samuel 6:17-19 I think there is another connection to be made between the ancient king David and the forever king Jesus:
17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes. (2 Samuel 6:17-19 NIV)
We see a few things here. We note that David was generous in giving some of what he had. We also note that David was not only willing to go to war fighting for his people, but he was also willing to provide sustenance for his people. As a king, he was not preoccupied with ambition, and the vain glory reaped at the death of others. He was indwelled with a spirit of care for those under his jurisdiction. We also note here that David was absent of prejudice or favoritism.
This should remind us of when our Lord fed many thousands. The gospel of Mark tells the following:
34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. (Mark 6:34-43)
As David was generous, Christ was also generous, to the point that there were extra leftovers! As David was eager to provide sustenance so too Jesus provided sustenance. Jesus cared for the crowd, not only in their great illnesses, but also in their ignorance, and in their physical hunger. What the people lacked - a shepherd - Christ Jesus fulfilled. Sheep must be cared for, protected, looked after, and shown where there are delightful pastures to eat. Jesus brought healing, teaching, and satisfaction.
David spent a day offering sacrifices, blessing the people, and sending them home with provision (2 Sam 6:18-19). Jesus spent a day teaching, living as a sacrifice, and then giving provision (Mark 6:34-43). Eating the king's food displays a relationship with the king. It reflects that the king is the protector and provider. A meal provided for by the king also denotes loyalty on behalf of the subjects.
If David secured an earthly kingdom, providing temporarily for his people, and he was yet considered a mighty and good king. How much more must Jesus be considered an even greater king? He is the mightiest of kings. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16)!
Oh how good it is when we gather in remembrance of him (Luke 22:19), when we taste (Psalm 119:103) and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8), when we proclaim the death of our Lord until he comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26)!