Back at the turn of the 15th and into the 16th, in the City-State of Florence (Italy), there was a huge slab of marble. Marble was the good stuff used for sculptures, and this particular slab just had to be carved down to reveal something, or somebody. The story unfolds with several artisans trying their hand at making something of this behemoth. But apparently, there was a defect in the stone, and all attempts at creation failed. In 1501, the town authorities decided, in a last ditch effort, to contract with a very young man (26 years young at the time) by the name of Michelangelo. The plan was for the young wiz to carve, or rather release from the stone, a likeness of King David in his debut on the Biblical scene in the Valley of Elah, where the forces of the Philistines were ready to do battle with King Saul and Israel. It is delicious that the palette of slab marble that would bring David back to life had acquired the name “Goliath.” Thus far, this stone “Goliath” had slain at least three artists! And so, the young artist by the name of Michelangelo set out to bring David to life.
He salted away for three years on the rock. To success! And in a fresh take on the King, decided not to do the usual fare, whereby David is holding up the bloody head of Goliath. He decided instead to portray the giant-slayer looking on pensively, but intently, with a touch of fierceness, his trusty sling over his shoulder: the leather strap that would be animated by an arsenal of five smooth stones. The work was completed and dedicated in 1504. The work was originally slated to be displayed on the top of a local church, but the town’s elders decided that it would be better placed in front of city hall, facing towards Rome. The message in placement would be, “Hey Rome, don’t mess with Florence!” David, the boy-king who took on Goliath, and won, is staring you big guys down. He stands at the ready, just as we do, too.
This famous work of art is a reminder of what we see here in the book of 2 Samuel. King David has consolidated his Kingdom. It is secure in its unity of the northern and southern tribes. David has shown himself to be a fierce warrior. God has placed him on the throne. God has given him victory on every side. David has also demonstrated that he is wise and gracious king, as evidenced by his compassion and faithfulness to his friend Jonathan in that he took Mephibosheth in as his own son.
2 Samuel 10 begins with David reaching out to a neighboring Gentile kingdom— Ammon. Reaching out the same way he did with Mephibosheth. The script could have been the same, except that the king of Ammon refused the offer. In what is the last episode of David’s glorious rise, he sends his general, Joab, to fight the battle for him. Let me say that once more: To fight his battle for him! David does eventually move from his palace to join the battle at the later stages. But the significant detail to grasp here is this – David is becoming complacent. He has been at the forefront of all his engagements with the enemies to date. But here, not so. In what we can only read as an ominous sign of lethargy in the newly formed kingdom, David is sending others to do what he should do. In the very next chapter of 2 Samuel, we will find the pattern taking root— the king lounging around in his palace, at the time of year “when kings go out to battle.”
Beginning back at 1 Samuel 16 and continuing through this present chapter, David has risen to the tip top of his world. Beginning at chapter 11, that world will begin to crumble. And yet, although David and the succession of the sons of David will all be flawed kings, God will be faithful yet. God promised David that he would always have a son on the throne.
And so he will.
