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As King of Israel, David made an excellent beginning; he commenced his reign by an act in which piety and policy were happily united. His action was:

1. Indicative of the piety which was characteristic of him. We who know David so well from his psalms, as well as from the Biblical history of his life, are not surprised that, when anointed king over all Israel, his first thoughts were directed to the service of God. With many monarchs this would have been the last consideration. But it was deepest and uppermost with David. He felt, and most truly, that he owed his elevation to the distinguishing goodness of Jehovah, and when he had reached the height of his ambition he was not going to forget the hand that had lifted him up. Piety was a vein that ran straight through the life, because right through the character of the king.

2. Politic in all particulars. He acted:

(1) With sound constitutionalism. Instead of deciding and decreeing absolutely, he "consulted," etc., he "said unto all the congregation of Israel," etc. (vers. 1, 2). This was "the manner of the kingdom" (see Judges 20:7; 1 Kings 12:6; 2 Chronicles 20:21). It was an act likely to impress the nation very favourably.

(2) With consideration toward the sacred tribe. "Let us send... to the priests and Levites," etc. They would naturally expect that special reference would be made to them, and they would be gratified by the royal attention.

(3) With regard to the general wishes of the people. All that could come to such a ceremony would like to be present; all were to be invited: "Our brethren everywhere" were to gather together (ver. 2); "David gathered all Israel together" (ver. 5).

(4) With tenderness toward the fallen house. He did not reproach Saul with the neglect with which he might have been justly charged; he gracefully included himself in whatever condemnation was implied: "For we inquired not at it in the days of Saul" (ver. 3).

(5) Reserving one point which must be final and supreme. Their wishes were consulted and should be carried out, but subject to one condition - the approval of God himself: "And that it be of the Lord our God."

(6) With personal participation and co-operation. He did not send up and fetch the ark; he "went up, and all Israel" with him (ver. 6).

I. POLICY WITHOUT PIETY IS A POOR AND VAIN THING. It seems clever or even brilliant to those who imitate and practise it; but it is contemned of God, disregarded by the wise and good, and certain to come to an ignominious end. It works in the ground, and then sports in the sun for its little hour, and then it falls utterly to pieces and cannot be lifted up again.

II. PIETY WITHOUT POLICY IS A DEFECTIVE THING. A reverent spirit and a pious purpose are admirable things, but if they are dissociated from discretion, and proceed on their way without regard to the claims, wants, and wishes of men, they will commonly, if not always, fail to secure the object they have in view.

III. PIETY AND POLICY TOGETHER ARE A BENIGNANT POWER. Let good men be prudent as well as reverent, discreet and considerate as well as godly and zealous; let the cause of God be championed and conducted by those who have a knowledge of "what is in man" and what are the conditions under which they work in harmony, and then will the goal be reached and the prize be won. - C.

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KJV: And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

WEB: David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.