David heard about the blessings of Obed-Edom and changed his mind about the ark. He went and got the ark and again the parade ensued and he danced with all his might as the ark traveled to its new home in the City of David. Michal, Saul's daughter watched David from a window and was all 'real housewives' about it. She told David she didn't like the way he acted and he told her that he would make a fool out of himself to God and people would love him for it. She never had any kids - which might be a good thing...
David enjoyed peace for a while. He was comfortable in his palace and realized that the ark of God was in a tent. A prophet named Nathan told him to go ahead with whatever he had in mind because the Lord was with him. That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan. God reminded David that he had never in all that time asked for a palace of cedar to be built for Him. That He had brought David in from the pasture from his flocks and made him king. That wherever David went God helped him and destroyed his enemies. God promised David that his descendents would be kings and when David's life was over, He would make one of his sons a great ruler and he would be the one to build a temple for God, and that God would love him always. David went into the tent before the ark to pray. He thanked God for all the blessings he had been given and would be given in the future.
David had many military successes in the following years. He defeated the Philistines. He defeated the Moabites and had them lay down on the ground and took a rope and measured two lentgths and killed those men, then lay down one lentgh and let those live. David became their ruler. David won decisive victories over many nations and his kingdom prospered.
Jonathan, David's friend who had died with his father in battle had a son who was crippled. When David heard about him he wanted to do something to help him. He had him come to the palace and become part of his family. He ate at the table with David and his family. David restored his lands to him and gave him servants.
When the king of the Ammonites died, David wanted to be kind to the new king and sent a delegation. The new king became suspicious of their motives and humiliated them by shaving their beards and cutting off their clothes just at hip level creating a little too much ventilation (if you catch my drift...) Anyhoo, when David found out about it he sent the army to respond. The Arameans came to help the Ammonites fight against the army of David. Long story short, David won, tens of thousands of Ammonites and Arameans died, and the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more.
Tomorrow read 2Samuel 11-13
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