Continuing a chronological Bible study:
(2 Samuel 5:11) And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons, and they built David a house.
David had become king over all Israel and had taken the castle Zion within the northern city limits of Jerusalem. Hiram, king of Tyre, then sent messengers to David. This map borrowed from Reading the Bible - 2021 shows the location of Tyre in relation to Israel. Tyre was geographically part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher according to the Biblical division of Canaan but was never conquered or taken by Israel when they entered the Promised Land. Hiram, the king of Tyre, was friendly with Israel, and he sent messengers to David, probably offering congratulations, and he also sent cedar logs, carpenters, and masons, who built a house for David.
(12) 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.
David realized that the Lord Himself had established him as king of Israel as he saw how the Lord was blessing and enlarging him. He perceived that it was for the Lord's people Israel's sake more than for his own benefit.
(1 Chronicles 14:1) Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and a timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house. (2) And David perceived that the Lord had confirmed him king over Israel for his kingdom was lifted up on high because of His people Israel.
1 Chronicles 14:1-2 also told of how the king of Tyre sent materials and men to build David a house. David understood these blessings to be confirmation from God that it was He who lifted up David's kingdom for the benefit of His people Israel.
(Psalm 101:1) (A Psalm of David) I will sing of mercy and judgment, unto You, O Lord, I will sing.
Although there is no Biblical proof that David wrote this psalm at this particular time, it fits here nicely, as he seems to consider what kind of king he will be. He would be merciful and just for His Lord.
(2) I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
David determined to behave himself wisely in a perfect way. Although no man is perfect, and we know that David would not always act perfectly, he would strive to walk in the Lord's way. By asking when the Lord would come to him suggests that he would aim to walk within his house with a perfect heart until God called him to a particular objective. It might mean that he called on God to walk with him as without God, he could not behave wisely in a perfect way. However, more than likely, this psalm was actually written at a time before David was finally made king over all Israel. He was ready to be king and contemplated what sort of king he would be whenever the Lord finally fulfilled His promise to him.
(3) I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; I hate the work of them who turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
As king, David would not allow wickedness in his sight for what fascinates the eye is very apt to gain admission into the heart, just as the fruit first pleased Eve's sight, and then prevailed over her mind and then her actions. David hated the work of those who turned aside from God's law, and he would not allow their wickedness to cling to him. He would have nothing to do with wickedness or the workers of it.
(4) A froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.
David might mean he would not allow himself to have a perverted heart and therefore would not know wickedness, or perhaps he meant he would not allow men with perverted hearts to be in his court. He would not allow wickedness to be around him.
(5) Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off; he who has a high look and a proud heart, I will not suffer.
David vowed to cut off from him anyone who privately slandered another who had no opportunity to defend himself, in other words, a gossiper. This was not someone who had a valid complaint against his neighbor that he expressed publicly looking for justice. David would not tolerate prideful arrogant men around him.
(6) My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
David would seek out and engage the services of only faithful upright followers of God. Only those who walked in the way of the Lord would serve David in his court.
(7) He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not tarry in my sight.
Dishonest and deceitful men would not be allowed to dwell with David. Anyone who told lies would not be permitted to stay in his court.
(8) I will early destroy all the wicked of the land that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.
One of David's first actions as king would be to destroy all the wicked of the land so that there would remain no wickedness in the city of the Lord, where holiness only should dwell. David had now been well established as king of all Israel, and he resolved to be a good and wise king.
Charles Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, wrote that the 101st psalm was called "The Householder's Psalm," an ideal model for the head of every family. It was also called "The Mirror for Magistrates" as a model for rulers and judges. Indeed, if all followed the ideals set forth in this psalm, our world would be a much better place!
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