David Is Established As King Over Israel, Growing Greater And Greater Because YHWH Is With Him. The King Of Tyre Seeks Treaty-Friendship With David And Builds Him A House Of Cedar Demonstrating The Establishment Of His Kingship (2 Samuel 5:10-12).
David continues to grow greater and greater because YHWH is with him, and when Hiram of Tyre builds him a house of cedar he recognises that it demonstrates that YHWH has established him as king over Israel and exalted his kingship for Israel's sake.
While Tyre was not incorporated into David's empire, it appears in what follows to have acknowledged his superior status, for Hiram, the king of Tyre, provided the wherewithal that was needed for the building of David's palace in recognition of his greatness, (something which he did not do for everyone). The Tyrians were famed palace builders, and this was seemingly an act of treaty friendship to one who, in the light of the context, was probably seen as of superior power. Such a palace of cedar would be seen in the Ancient Near East as establishing his great status. That great Tyre should act in such a way was seen as a clear indication of David's growing pre-eminence, and that he should live in a palace of cedars was seen as an indication of his position and splendour. Hiram reigned from c.979-945 BC, and thus towards the end of David's reign. Thus these incidents are not in chronological order.
There is something very beautiful in the fact that in the section chiasmus this incident is paralleled by David's restoration of the house of Saul and Jonathan when he brings the lame Mephibosheth to his court and gives him a seat at the king's table.
Analysis.
a And David waxed greater and greater, for YHWH, the God of hosts, was with him (2 Samuel 5:10).
b And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons, and they built David a house (2 Samuel 5:11).
a And David perceived that YHWH had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingship for his people Israel's sake (2 Samuel 5:12).
The continual expansion of David's political strength is highlighted by the attitude of the king of Tyre towards him. Not many kings found the king of Tyre being so cooperative. And it was all because YHWH, the God of Hosts, was with David. From more recent archaeological discoveries we know that it is probable that Hiram reigned in the latter part of David's reign so that this description is not in chronological order. It was not intended to be. What the writer is intent on doing at this point is summarising the high points of David's reign, not writing a chronological history. The order is thematic.
‘ And David waxed greater and greater, for YHWH, the God of hosts, was with him.'
From the moment of his anointing David's greatness began to grow and expand. He ‘grew greater and greater'. And the explanation was simple. It was because YHWH of hosts was with him.
‘ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons, and they built David a house.'
Indeed David grew so great that even Hiram, the king of Tyre, made every effort to please him and show his friendship towards him. He sent his representatives to David's court and supplied cedar trees and carpenters and masons, quite possibly at his own cost, so that they could build David a magnificent palace. There was to be no austerity living for David. He had taken his place among the great. It was an acknowledgement that Tyre recognised his greatness, and sought friendship and cooperation with him. And as a great city which traded with the world by sea, and had extensive trade links, its influence was important.
‘ And David perceived that YHWH had established him as king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.'
And the result was that from this very fact David himself recognised even more that YHWH had established him as king over Israel, and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. David's growing greatness manifested the superiority and power of YHWH. Note the emphasis on the fact that his kingship had been exalted (by, for example, his now living in a house of cedar) for Israel's sake. YHWH was not seen as simply conveying a personal benefit. It was one that would bless all His people.