Part 2 Israel Under the Law of Moses

God's Charge to King Saul to Totally Destroy the Amalekites for Their Preying on the Weak and Defenceless Israelites When They Came Out of Egypt in 1 Samuel 15 in About 1080 BC

After some previous serious incidents and self-will and disobedience to the LORD by Saul since he took the office of King of Israel, the LORD decided to give him a major test by charging him to lead a destruction of all the Amalekites. The Amalekites were a people that were a major enemy of Israel in the southern regions of what is now called the Negev desert. A principal reason they were regarded as Israel's enemies was because the Amalekites had previously preyed on and killed or injured some of the weak, very young or very old or otherwise defenceless of the Israelites This was when the Israelites were coming out of Egypt to the promised land of Israel or Canaan. God expected Saul as head of his people Israel to lead in Israel's destruction of the Amalekites with no exceptions or reservations. King Saul and the Israelites were to totally kill and destroy every man, woman and child and even all animals of the Amalekites. King Saul did then lead the Israelites to kill most of the Amalekites but he in his own understanding spared the king of the Amalekites and at least some of their animals. The scripture reference of the LORD's charge and test to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their animals and Saul's incomplete obedience to do this is in 1 Samuel 15 as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 15 of Saul King of Israel's Incomplete Obedience in Carrying Out God's Charge to Him to Utterly Destroy the Amalekites in About 1080 BC

Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comes to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they utterly destroyed. 1 Samuel 15:1-9

The LORD Instructs Samuel to Confront Saul and Interrogate Him Over His Incomplete Obedience to His Charge to Destroy the Amalekites and Saul's Excuses from 1 Samuel 15 in About 1080 BC

Immediately after the completion of the battle of Israel led by King Saul against the Amalekites when it was clear that King Saul was only partial in his obedience to the LORD's command to utterly destroy all the Amalekites and their animals, God confronted Saul through his seer and servant Samuel. First the LORD said to Samuel he was grieved with Saul for his only partial obedience. This caused Samuel to be very depressed and heartbroken and he cried to the LORD all night for the tragedy of Saul's self-will and the LORD's likely impending judgment of him. The next morning Samuel rose up to meet Saul and went to a place called Gilgal near the Jordan River and top of the Dead Sea. When Samuel met Saul, Saul said he had fulfilled God's commandments to destroy the Amalekites. Samuel evidently heard some of the sounds of the animals of the Amalekites and he had asked Saul about these sounds. Saul said that his men had brought these animals from the Amalekites to sacrifice to the LORD thinking this would honour and please the LORD and Samuel. Samuel then said at the direction of the LORD that God had made Saul king of Israel when he was humble but that he had been proud or self-willed in not carrying out God's command to totally destroy the Amalekites and all their animals. Saul then admitted he also spared Agag the king of the Amalekits and blamed the soldiers of Israel for sparing the animals of the Amalakites. The scriptrue reference in 1 Samuel 15 of God's displeasure with King Saul's incomplete obedience to his charge to totally destroy the Amalekites and the LORD's confronting King Saul through Samuel and King Saul's excuses for his neglecting to fully keep God's charge to utterly destroy the Amalekites is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 15 of the LORD's Rejection of Saul as King of Israel and Interogating Him Through Samuel for His Partial Obedience to God's Charge to Destroy the Amalekites in About 1080 BC

Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen that I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 1 Samuel 15:10-21

The LORD Through Samuel Delivers His Rejection of Saul as King of Israel and Announces He Will Look for a Replacement and Samuel Kills the King of the Amalekites from 1 Samuel 15 in About 1080 BC

The LORD through Samuel then informed Saul he didn't accept or take pleasure in the animals of the Amalekites Saul meant to sacrifice to God and that the LORD was more interested in obedience to his commands. In this case his command was to Saul to destroy the Amalekites and all their animals. The LORD through Samuel spelled out how serious he considers rebellion and stubburnness in this case especially that of King Saul when the LORD compared it to witchcraft, iniquity (lawlessness) and idolatry. God also informed King Saul that God had rejected him from being king any more because Saul had rejected the word of the LORD through Samuel for Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their animals. Saul then finally realizes and admits his sin of only partial obedience to the LORD and showed the danger of fearing man more than God as he said this was the reason he spared the animals of the Amalekites. Saul asked Samuel and the LORD through him to pardon his sin and allow him to continue to be king and allow him to continue to worship the LORD. The LORD through Samuel reaffirms that he has rejected Saul for his rejection of God's command to destroy the Amalekites. Samuel with the LORD's approval shows Saul a sign that he and his rule have been rejected by the LORD by cutting off the hem (skirt) of Saul's coat to show the kingdom of Israel had been torn from him. Then Samuel demanded of Saul that he bring Agag the king of the Amalekites before him, which Saul did. Then in Gilgal Samuel sliced Agag to pieces for his persecution and destruction of Israel including their children. The scripture reference of the LORD delivering his rejection of Saul as King of Israel and Saul realizing too late of his sin and his fear of the people more than God and the LORD to look for another king and Samuel killing the king of the Amalekites is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 15 of the LORD Informing Saul of His Rejection of Saul as King of Israel and Samuel Destroying the King of the Amalekites in 1080 BC

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent (tore). And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent. Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely, the bitterness of death is past. And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. 1 Samuel 15:22-35

David Chosen to be the New King of Israel from 1 Samuel 16 in About 1060 BC

Because of King Saul's presumption, disobedience to God or only partial obedience, the LORD came to reject Saul as his approved king of Israel. The LORD then instructed his servant and judge Samuel to look for a replacement to be God's ordained choice for king of Israel. God then instructed Samuel to take a horn filled with oil for annointing the new king and to go to the house of Jesse of Bethlehem where the LORD said he would provide a man to be the new king of Israel to replace Saul. Samuel was afraid of King Saul's reaction at his going down to choose a replacement to be king of Israel especially that King Saul would try to kill him. To relieve this fear God instructed Samuel to take a cow with him when he went down to see Jesse in Bethlehem and to say that he was going down to make a sacrifice to God with Jesse and his family if anyone asked him for his purpose. This would be partially true but of course not the main purpose for him going down to Bethlehem to see Jesse and his family. The main purpose which was to go down in the will and authority of the LORD to choose a new king of Israel to replace Saul and annoint him from among the sons of Jesse in Bethlehem. When one of Jesse's sons, perhaps his first born, named Eliab passed before Samuel he thought this was the son that God had chosen to be the new king of Israel. The reason for this at least partially because of Eliab's imposing appearance but the LORD said he had not chosen him because God doesn't look on the outward appearance but on the hearts and his heart wasn't fully dedicated to the LORD. Following this Jesse brought almost all his sons before Samuel for inspection whether they should be the new King of Israel but the LORD directed Samuel to reject each of them as well. Finally the LORD prodded Samuel to ask if Jesse had any other sons to inspect whether they might be the new king of Israel and Jesse said he had one more son who was the youngest but that he was looking after the sheep. God then directed Samuel to direct Jesse to fetch this son (David) to see whether the LORD approved him as the new king of Israel. The scripture reference in 1 Samuel 16 of the LORD directing Sameul to give up on Saul as king of Israel and go to the house of Jesse to pick a new king of Israel from among Jesse's sons in Bethlehem is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 16 of the LORD Directing Samuel to Give Up on Saul as King of Israel and Choose a New King from the Sons of Jesse in Bethlehem in About 1060 BC

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt annoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peacably? And he said, Peacably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's annointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 1 Samuel 16:1-11

Annointing of David as the New King of Israel and the Holy Spirit Coming Upon Him from 1 Samuel 16 in About 1060 BC

After all the other sons of Jesse were brought before Samuel and the LORD directed him to reject all of them as the new king of Israel, David was brought in from keeping the sheep to stand before Samuel for consideration as the new King of Israel to replace Saul. David is described as ruddy which means he probably had a tan or sunburn and otherwise showed signs of spending much time outdoors and that he was of a beautiful countenance meaning he was very handsome. The LORD announced to Samuel and Jesse and David and the other sons about David that this is he meaning this is the one I have selected to be the new king of Israel. Although it is not mentioned in this verse it is clear later on in the scripture that a principal reason God chose David as King of Israel was that he had a heart for the LORD (unlike the divided heart of Saul although he started well). Samuel then took the horn of oil and annointed David as the new king of Israel among his brethren in Bethlehem. Then the Holy Spirit came upon David from that time onward as a further sign of God's approval and blessing and empower- ment and guidance. Samuel then returned to Ramah north of Jerusalem. The scripture reference from 1 Samuel 16 of the choice at the LORD's direction of David as the new king of Israel and his annointing and receiving from the LORD His Holy Spirit is as follow:

Scripture Reference from 1 Samuel 16 of the Selection, Annointing and Receiving of the Holy Spirit of David as New King of Israel to Replace Saul in About 1060 BC

And he sent, and brought him (David) in. And he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, annoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and annointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:12-13

King David Ready for Battle

King David and His Men Take the Jebusite Stronghold of Zion and Rename It Jerusalem and Make it the Capital City of Israel in 2 Samuel 5 in 1048 BC

Part of the land of Canaan that the LORD had appointed for Israel or the Jews, that was right in the middle of the promised land and that Israel for several hundred years was not able to overcome was Jebus the city of the Jebusites. David was able at that time to finally capture and rename it Jerusalem or the City of David. The Jebusites taunted David and the Israeli soldiers saying Except thou take away the blind and the lame of the Jebusites you shalt not come in here meaning unless you take away the blind and the lame of the inhabitants of Jebus or Jerusalem David and his men couldn't take Jerusalem. The Jebusites were saying even the blind and lame among them could fend off an attack by David and his men. However David was able to take Jerusalem when his men entered the stronghold of Zion through an unguarded water tunnel. Zion came to be the name for the area just to the south of what became the Temple area or the current Temple Mount although Mount Zion is often a name for the Temple Mount or the Temple when it is standing and Zion is often a name for Jerusalem in the Bible. In verse 8 the invasion through the water tunnel is mentioned as the invasion through the gutter in the King James Version. Although it seems quite cheap or crass for David to hate the lame and the blind this is mostly a reference to his despising the taunt of the Jebusites that even the blind and lame among them could defend Jebus or Jerusalem against King David and his soldiers. This is probably also the reason that King David or his men used the expression the blind or the lame shall not come into the house meaning into David's palace. King David dwelt in the fort or the stronghold of Zion and he built up the area round the area called Millo and inward meaning probably the area on the elevated area of Jerusalem away from the hillside. After King David's capture of Jebus or Zion and renaming it Jerusalem and making it Israel's capital he continued to grow greater because He had God and His blessing with him. Hiram king of Tyre which was a capital of the area of Phoenicia in what is now Lebanon made an alliance with King David and Israel. Hiram sent cedar trees, carpenters, and masons or workers in stone and they built a house or palace for King David in Jerusalem in Mount Zion. From all these things King David perceived or understood that the LORD had established or made him king over Israel and glorified David's kingdom for the sake of the people of Israel. The scripture reference in 2 Samuel 5 of King David capturing Jebus or Zion and renaming it Jerusalem or the City of David and David building in that area to prepare it to be the new capital of Israel is as follows. This included David building his palace and Hiram king of Tyre helping with material and labourers and David understanding that the LORD was with him and blessing him in 2 Samuel 5 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 2 Samuel 5 of God Helping David Conquor Jebus and Rename it Jerusalem And Establish It As the New Capital of Israel in 1048 BC

And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither (here): thinking, David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God 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 an house. And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake. 2 Samuel 5:6-12

The LORD's Review of Israel's History as the Background For Promising an Everlasting Dynasty and Covenant to David in 2 Samuel 7 in 1042 BC

The LORD knew that King David wanted to build a temple or house for the LORD to dwell in in Jerusalem to replace the more temporary tabernacle or tent where God had been dwelling in among His people to that time since He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The LORD also responded by saying he took David from humble circumstances of being a shepherd looking after sheep and set him up to rule over God's people Israel. The LORD also said he was with King David wherever he went and defeated and eliminated David's enemies and gave him a famous name of high repute. The LORD also promised he would give safety or security to His earthly people Israel so they could dwell in their land in peace without enemies trying to disturb them. God also promised he would make an house or dynasty for David and this is the basis of what is called the Davidic Covenant. The scripture reference in 2 Samuel 7 of the background of the Davidic Covenant in which God promises a house or dynasty to King David over Israel is as follows:

Scripture Reference in 2 Samuel 7 of the Background of the Davidic Covenant in Which God Promises a Dynasty of King David's Descendants in 1042 BC

And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. 2 Samuel 7:4-11

Everlasting Dynasty and Kingdom and Building of a Temple for the LORD to Dwell in By David's Son Promised by the LORD in 2 Samuel 7 as the Heart of the Davidic Covenant in 1042 BC

Starting in verse 12 of this chapter, the LORD starts into the heart of the Davidic Covenant which is an unconditional covenant as appreciation for David's faithfulness to the LORD. The LORD starts by promising David that after he dies the LORD will establish one of his sons to replace him on the throne of Israel. The LORD also promises this son of David, who later proved to be Solomon, that He would permit him to build a house or temple for the LORD to dwell in as a central place of worship for the people of Israel. This proved to be, at first, the 1st temple or Solomon's Temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem with David's preparations. The LORD also promised that if David's son or later descendant committed iniquity or lawlessness God would chasten him but not totally take his throne away like he did with King Saul. The LORD promised to David that He would establish King David's house or descendants, throne and kingdom for ever. This is one of the reasons the beginning of some of the Gospels in the New Testament trace the genealogy of Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth back to king David to show Jesus is of David's house and has a right to his throne and kingdom. Jesus also readily received acclaim as the son of David which was one of the titles of the Messiah that would reign in the line of King David. Shortly after Jesus' 1st earthly ministry the 2nd Temple or Herod's Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD with the genealogical records. This destruction including the genealogical records would make it much more difficult for any further claimant to the title of Messiah and King in the line of David to prove his background in the house of David. The scripture reference in 2 Samuel 7 of God's provision of the Davidic Covenant and promise to King David of an everlasting house, throne and kingdom is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 2 Samuel 7 of Establishment of the Davidic Covenant and the LORD Giving King David of Israel and Everlasting House(hold), Throne and Kingdom in 1042 BC

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed (descendants) after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. 2 Samuel 7:12-17

King David's Response to the LORD Granting Him a Covenant With an Everlasting House, Throne and Kingdom Over Israel in 2 Samuel 7 in 1042 BC

King David was deeply humbled and grateful to the LORD for granting him this dynasty and covenant and responded with a beautiful psalm of praise to the LORD. David began his praise and response to this covenant by asking the LORD who he was or what was his house that the LORD would bring these great blessings on him and his house. David was also grateful that this blessing of the LORD wasn't just for a short time but for an exceedingly long time, for ever. David acknowledged the LORD knew what he has doing and knew David as his servant and that the LORD had done these things very sincerely for the sake of His word and after His heart. David acknowledged the greatness of the LORD that he is beyond compare and far greater than all the gods of the nations David had heard about. King David also praised the LORD for the blessings and priveledges He had given to His chosen earthly people and nation Israel for redeeming or delivering them from Egypt and other nations and their gods. King David also blessed the LORD for confirming this priviledged position of Israel through this covenant with David. David then requested that the LORD follow through and establish these promises to David and his house for an everlasting house, throne and kingdom over Israel as an acknowledgement to God's promises and desire for his blessing. The scripture reference in 2 Samuel of King David's response to God's promised covenant to David or an everlasting house, throne and kingdom over Israel is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 2 Samuel 7 of King David of Israel's Grateful Response to the LORD's Covenant Promising an Everlasting House, Throne and Kingdom to David and His Descendants in 1042 BC

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O LORD God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemest to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. 2 Samuel 7:18-25

Lebanese Historical Site Baalbek Mentioned in the Bible as Berothai and Chun as a Place King David Gathered Brass for Solomon's Temple in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18

What is often found in history including ancient history is that some ancient places have more than one names especially when they are mentioned in sources from different cultures. One example of this is the place usually called Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. One thing this place is most famous for is that it has the largest and heavist carved stone, sometimes called the Stone of the Pregnant Woman according to Wikipedia in the world. This stone weighs about 1000 tons and is about 20 meters long and about 4 meters wide and 4 meters high. There have now been found two other equally large carved rectangular stones. These other two stones are about the same length but with larger cross-sections and with weights of 1242 and 1650 tons. According to a team from Linz in Austria these blocks were probably meant for a nearby temple to the Roman god Jupiter in the settlement in the Baalbeq area then called Heliopolis. Baalbeq is the usual and older name for this place and the first part most likely related it to the Canaanite god Baal and the second part could relate to the valley it is near or on the side of called the Bekaa Valley. This valley in the Bible in the Book of Joshua is called the Valley of Lebanon. I am not sure yet what was in Baalbeq before the Roman building but it was on a main road in Old Testament times. Baalbeq was called Berotha or Berothai in the Old Testament by the children of Israel in 2 Samuel 8 and Chun in the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 18. This was one of the places mentioned that a Syrian king named Hadadezer had control of who was defeated by King David on King David's way to taking territory for the true God and the children of Israel up to the Euphrates river which God gave the boundary for the land for the children of Israel to their founder or father Abraham and to his son and grandson Isaac and Jacob (Israel). Hadadezer which was the name of this king of Syria was named after the national false god of Syria that was Hadad and means "whose help is Hadad" according to the Schofield Reference Bible. This means that Hadad was probably worshipped primarily at Baalbek during that time but there might have been still some worship of Baal until King David took this place over and would have made some attempt to get inhabitants to worship the true Creator God there Jehovah or Yahweh the God of the Bible and the God of Israel and whose Son Jesus Christ was later sent to be the Saviour of the world. One thing that is mentioned in the Bible about Baalbek or Berothai or Chun is that there was much brass there and that King David and his men took much of it away to make the brazen sea, some brass utinsels and the pillars for the 1St or Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount or Mount Moriah. The scripture reference from 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18 of King David and his men defeating the Syrian king Hadadezer and taking control of his cities including Baalbek (Berothai or Chun) and taking some of the brass of it to Jerusalem is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18 of King David of Israel Defeating King Hadadezer of Syria and Taking His Cities Including Baalbeq (Berothai or Chun) in Lebanon

David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour (help) Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants od Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. 2 Samuel 8:3-8

And David smote Hadadezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. Then David put garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadadezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass. 1 Chronicles 18:3-8

King David of Israel Seeks the Threshing Floor of Ornan the Jebusite on Mount Moriah that Later Became the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and Pays for It With 600 Shekels of Gold in 1 Chronicles 21 in 1017 BC

At this time King David was distressed that a plague from the sword of an angel was on the inhabitants of Israel because of David's sin of trusting in his resources instead of the LORD by numbering his armies. The angel of the LORD, probably a pre-incarnate appearance of Messiah Jesus, directed Gad a seer or prophet of David, to instruct David to set up an altar on the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. The significance of this is twofold. One is that this threshingfloor was then owned by a member of one of the nations that were against Israel namely the Jebusites who still had control then of what is now called Jerusalem. This area was part of the land promised to Israel but even after several hundred years had not been conquored because it was a stronghold on a hill or mountain and the Israelites had not been able to overcome it. The other significance was that David was instructed to make an altar on this threshingfloor which means God wanted him to not just establish changed political or economic ownership of this site but also spiritual ownership in establishing it as a place to offer sacrifices to the LORD. There is however no record I know of to say this was used as a particularly religious site by Ornan the Jebusite or any of the other Jebusites up to this time. The Jebusites were part of the Canaanites. Ornan would probably have some awe and trembling and suspect something was about to occur by his apparently also seeing the angel of the LORD. King David then met Ornan on the location of the threshingfloor and requested the obtainment of the threshingfloor at the full price. David also said his main purpose for wanting the threshingfloor was to offer a sacrifice to the LORD so the plague could be stopped on his people (the Jews or people of Israel). This location was to shortly afterwards become the location of the First Temple or Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Ornan offered to give free of charge to King David the threshingfloor and also some of his animals and wheat for the sacrifices and his threshing instruments for wood to burn for the sacrifices. However King David insisted on paying the full price for the location and either refusing the animals and wheat or threshing instruments or paying the full price for them as well. King David of Israel then paid the full price for the land of the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite of 600 shekels of gold. This was about 7 kilograms or 15 pounds or 240 ounces of gold which at 2006 prices of about $650 US an ounce would give a value in 2006 US dollars of about $156,000. There are current claims of some Muslims including the Mufti or Islamic leader of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount and perhaps some western liberals that the Temple Mount was never a Jewish site but was always Muslim or non-Jewish site. Despite these claims it is clear that from the point of the purchase of this land in an honest and consentual deal by King David of Israel from Ornan the Jebusite the Temple Mount belongs to Israel and the Jewish people and the God of Israel. This was immediately emphasized by the offering of a sacrifice by King David on this site on Mount Moriah and the soon following building by his son King Solomon of the First Jewish Temple or House of the LORD on this same location. The remains of the walls of at least the second or Herod's Temple on this same locaton are still visible in the western or wailing wall of the Jews. The scripture reference of King David being commissioned to build an altar on the threshingfloor or Arnon the Jebusite and his buying it from him from 600 shekels of gold on Mount Moriah or what is now the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 21 is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Chronicles 21 of Commision from the Angel of the LORD for King David to Build an Altar to Sacrifice to the LORD on the Threshingfloor of Arnon the Jebusite and His Buying it from Him for 600 Shekels of Gold in 1017 BC

The the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the LORD. And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat. And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt-offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat-offering; I give it all. And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily (truly) buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt-offerings without cost. So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. 1 Chronicles 21:18-25

King David of Israel Offers a Sacrifice to the LORD on the Altar on Mount Moriah or the Former Threshing Floor of Ornan the Jebusite to Start to Establish it as the New Location of Worship to the LORD Rather than Gibeon in 1 Chronicles 21 in 1017 BC

King David of Israel paid the 600 shekels of gold to Ornan the Jebusite and secured ownership of the former threshingfloor where Abraham had attempted to offer Isaac many years before. David then built an altar there as he had been instructed through his prophet Gad and the angel of the LORD from the LORD. King David then offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings to the LORD and called upon Him in prayer. The LORD (God) showed His approval by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice as He did also for Elijah's offering in the contest with the prophets of Baal later on in 1 Kings 18 and shortly after these sacrifices by David at the initial sacrifices of Solomon when the 1st temple was built on this same site in 2 Chronicles 7. To further show His satisfaction at this sacrifice the LORD commanded the angel of the LORD to withdraw his sword and stop the plague against the people of Israel for David's unauthorized census. King David then understood that God had answered his prayer for the end of the plague due to his following the LORD's instruction. This instruction was for David to offer a sacrifice on the threshingfloor or Ornan the Jebusite and claim it as the future location of the Temple where the LORD would be worshipped by the people of Israel or the Jews. At that time the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had established was still at Gibeon but King David was afraid to go there especially to worship the LORD because after these incidents with his dedicating the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite to the LORD as a place for the Jews to worship the LORD he felt it was from that point on the only legitimate place for people of Israel to make sacrifices to or worship the LORD. The scripture reference from 1 Chronicles 21 of King David of Israel offering the sacrifices to the LORD on the former threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite and the LORD showing His approval by fire and by stopping the plague against the Israelites is as follows:

Scripture Reference from 1 Chronicles 21 of King David of Israel Offering Sacrifices to the LORD and Dedicating the Former Threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite to the LORD and the LORD Confirming This by Fire and Stopping the Plague in 1017 BC

And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering. And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof. At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there. For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt-offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon. But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 21:26-30

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