And the time that David reigned over Israel was forty years. He reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
One sentence closes the reign of Israel's most famous king. Forty years, split between two capitals. Commentators read it two ways at once: as the record of a man's life, and as a picture of Christ's coming kingdom.
A Life Closed Off
The same figures appear again at the end of 1 Chronicles, but that book closes David's life on a different note.
H. L. RossierThe last verses of that chapter (1 Chron. 29:26-30) repeat 1 Kings 2:10-12 in order to close David's history at last. The Holy Spirit mentions his old age — "full of days, riches, and honor" — to match the purpose of Chronicles. This stands in contrast with his end, which 2 Samuel 23:1-6 and 1 Kings 1 record for us.
Seven Years In Hebron
The first stretch of the reign covered only part of the nation. Commentators count it as seven years and a half, and they find meaning in the place as much as in the length.
Numerical Bible NotesIn this first subdivision, then, we find David in possession only of part of a divided kingdom. We trace the growth of his power, despite enemies and hindrances, until the death of Ishbosheth opens his way to the throne of all Israel. During all this time (seven years and a half) his throne is in Hebron. That place holds many cherished memories, linked forever with the faith of his pilgrim forefathers, from Abraham to Jacob. "Communion," with all that it implies, must be the power of a kingdom.
Thirty-Three In Jerusalem
The move to Jerusalem did not end the fighting. Some commentators see the pattern of Christ's kingdom here. They note that David's fighting never stopped, and that peace came only with the son who followed.
W. TrotterDavid reigned at Hebron for seven years before he reigned at Jerusalem. This period was one of conflict between the house of David and the house of Saul. But even after this, when all the tribes owned him as king, David fought one long series of conflicts with Israel's enemies all around. True, he was successful in these conflicts. His conquests reached far and near, for God was with him and gave him victory over his enemies. But a time of conflict, however successful, is not a time of quiet and rest. Solomon, as his name shows, was the peaceful prince.
Why Forty
The two figures add up to forty, a number that carries weight through Scripture. One writer warns against turning the pattern into a timetable.
The Bible TreasuryDavid reigned seven years in Hebron, and thirty-three in Jerusalem, together forty years. That number always expresses the sufficiency and completeness of whatever it is used about. And Messiah will rule among His enemies till all of them are put down. But how to divide the era of judgment… is not revealed. God will give understanding to diligent faith. But if you try to line up the events of David's reign with the future course of judgment, you will certainly fall into mistakes.
How Short The Glory
Put the reign beside David's age, and the whole life looks brief.
Leslie M. Grant2 Samuel 5:4 tells us that David was 30 years old when he began to reign, and reigned 40 years over Israel. So he died at 70 years of age and was buried in Jerusalem… Solomon also reigned for forty years (1 Kings 11:42). How short indeed is the span of earthly glory! Paul's last days in prison were far brighter with joy than the last days of either David or Solomon! (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
The length of a life matters less than what it served. Acts looks back on David and commends him with nothing held back.
A. J. PollockIn Acts 13:36 we have a full, unqualified commendation of David's life. No "but" spoils the picture. Another translation gives a delightful rendering of the verse: "David, indeed, having in his own generation ministered to the will of God, fell asleep."
The Better Portion
The reign ends and a more splendid one begins. Yet the man who suffered is not the poorer of the two.
William KellyThere was this difference between David and his son. Together they picture our Lord Jesus Christ in His sufferings and in His glory. Still, we would be very wrong to suppose that David had not a better portion before God than his son had. Faith is better than its own results. If we could have heaven without the pathway of faith on earth, we would never be as blessed as we hope to be.
Summary
- Forty — the whole reign adds up to the number of sufficiency and completeness. Messiah will rule among His enemies until all are put down.
- Seven — at Hebron David held only part of a divided kingdom, in a place tied to the faith of his fathers. Communion must be the power of a kingdom.
- Thirty-three — all Israel owned him as king, yet his reign stayed one long series of conflicts. Peace waited for Solomon.
- Seventy — David died at seventy, and the span of earthly glory is short. Yet Acts 13:36 commends his life with no "but" in it.
- Better — the throne passed to the son who reigned in glory. Yet faith is better than its own results, and David's portion before God was the better one.