6. The strengthening of David's position 3:1-5

 

The first verse in this chapter summarizes 2:8-32. The point of the remaining verses is that during the seven and one-half years that David ruled Judah he grew stronger because God was blessing him.³³David resorted to further polygamy even though God had commanded Israel's kings not to multiply wives (Deut. 17:17). He undoubtedly married the women mentioned to cement political alliances, as was common in the ancient Near East.³⁴

The site of Gesher (v. 3) was northeast of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee) and north of Jabesh-gilead. The Israelites were to make no covenants with the inhabitants of the Promised Land (Exod. 23:32; 34:12). That is where the king of Gesher lived. Perhaps if David had relied less on foreign alliances he would not have had to fight as many battles with his neighbors as he did. Unfortunately he spent a large portion of his total reign as king fighting battles.