New King, New Throne, Same Lord

In this panoramic message centered on 2 Samuel 5, Chuck Swindoll pauses the verse-by-verse study to “measure the tree” of David’s life. Quoting Carl Sandburg’s reflection on Abraham Lincoln, Swindoll notes that a great life is best measured when it is “down.” He divides David’s 70 years into two distinct eras: the first 30 to 50 years characterized by integrity, triumph, and ascent; and the final 20 years marked by tragedy, family chaos, and a “bitter, weeping ending”.

The sermon traces David’s political coronation, first in Hebron over Judah (for 7.5 years) and finally in Jerusalem over all Israel (for 33 years). Swindoll highlights David’s immense political success: he expanded Israel’s borders from 6,000 to 60,000 square miles, established trade routes, and unified the nation spiritually [16–18]. However, Swindoll juxtaposes this public brilliance with David’s private failures. He warns that David became so enamored with public pursuits that he lost control of his family, leading to a domestic life filled with rebellion, rape, and murder among his children.

The message concludes with a sober warning to modern leaders and parents. Using the tragic stories of industrialist Friedrich Flick and heart surgeon Christian Barnard, Swindoll illustrates that success in the boardroom does not compensate for failure at home. He leaves listeners with two timeless principles: no pursuit is more important than the cultivation of a godly family, and no character trait needs more attention than genuine integrity.

Message Key Facts:

• The “Tree” Analogy: Swindoll uses a woodsman’s proverb (via Carl Sandburg) to explain the sermon’s approach: “A tree is best measured when it’s down.” We can best evaluate David’s character by looking at the whole span of his life rather than just one moment.
• The Two Halves of David’s Life:
  • Ages 17–30 (The Ascent): From the sheepfolds to the throne. Marked by integrity and dependence on God.
  • Ages 30–70 (The Reign): A mix of great political leadership and severe personal/moral decline, particularly regarding Bathsheba and his children.
• Taking Promotion Slowly: Even after Saul died, David did not rush to seize the throne. He inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up?” and waited in Hebron for seven years before the entire nation was ready to receive him. Swindoll notes that many handle affliction better than they handle promotion.
• The Jebusite Insult: When David moved to conquer Jerusalem (Zion), the inhabitants mocked him, saying even the “blind and lame” could repel him. David conquered the fortress anyway, leading to the saying, “No lame and blind allowed in the palace”.
• David’s Three Great Disappointments:

1. Domestic Passivity: He was so busy being King, he failed to be a Father. He accumulated wives and concubines, producing children he did not discipline.
2. Unguarded Passion: He indulged in “extravagant activities of passion” and inappropriate leisure, which led to the affair with Bathsheba.
3. Pride: He became a victim of self-sufficiency, numbering the people against God’s will.

• The “Four S’s” of Leadership Failure: Swindoll quotes a study on dynamic leaders, noting they often fall due to one of four traps: Silver, Sloth, Sex, or Self.
• The Friedrich Flick Illustration: Swindoll tells the story of the wealthiest man in West Germany who built a $1.5 billion empire but died leaving a family in chaos. The observation was: “Flick scored at the office and struck out at home”.
• Adonijah’s Rebellion: Swindoll points to 1 Kings 1 to show that David never “pained” (disciplined) his son Adonijah, which resulted in the son attempting to usurp the throne.

Message References:

• 2 Samuel 5: The primary text detailing David’s coronation, the conquest of Jerusalem, and his victory over the Philistines.
• Psalm 78:70–72: A summary of David’s life: God took him from the sheepfolds to shepherd Israel “according to the integrity of his heart.”
• 2 Samuel 5:4–5: The chronology of the reign: “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.”
• 2 Samuel 2:1: David’s inquiry of the Lord (“Shall I go up?”) before taking the throne in Hebron.
• 1 Kings 1:5–6: The description of Adonijah’s arrogance and David’s failure to discipline him (“His father had never crossed him at any time”).
• 2 Samuel 3:2–5: The list of sons born to David in Hebron, introducing the complexity of his polygamous family (Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah, etc.).
• 2 Samuel 11:1: Reference to David staying in Jerusalem during the time when kings go out to battle (inappropriate leisure).

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll