This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing 
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s 
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

David is about to unite Israel into one kingdom 
and centralize power in one city—Jerusalem.

The northern tribes, who
had been loyal to Saul,  

recognize and anoint David as
the rightful heir to Israel’s throne.

But David realizes he can’t unite all of 
Israel from his military base in the far south.

So, David takes his newly united armies and 
marches toward the central city of Jerusalem.

The Jebusites who ruled Jerusalem at
that time expected to beat David easily.

But God was with David. Not only
does he win the city, he builds a palace.

His family grows and Solomon is born.

Solomon will be the son to carry 
on David’s dynasty after his death.

David also defeats the Philistines who 
had plagued Israel since Saul’s reign.

Fearful of a united kingdom,
the Philistines send a battalion

to the old border between Judah
in the south and Israel in the north.

They hope a loss for David will
mean the end of David’s unified Israel.

But with God’s voice and power guiding 
him, David defeats the Philistines,  

defends the heartland, and 
secures the unity of Israel.

And Israel is finally united and free because
God is with David.

And as a powerful symbol of God’s
presence, David brings God’s ark to Jerusalem.

David is making Jerusalem not simply a
political center of Israel but the religious center too.

David is setting up a kingdom where God’s
presence and his word are central.

But God’s presence is also dangerous.

As David’s men cart the ark to Jerusalem, 
a man touches God’s throne and dies.

It’s a humbling reminder that God’s power 
and presence can’t be taken for granted.

God’s presence is sacred
and needs to be treated as such.

Recognizing his error, David carries the ark into
Jerusalem with sacrifices and songs of worship instead.

But Saul’s daughter
Michal is not impressed.

Like her father she doesn’t understand the necessity
of listening and waiting on God’s word and presence.

She confronts David for what 
she thinks is shameful behavior.

And David tells her she’s wrong. His 
priorities are exactly as they should be.

And from that moment on,
Michal is unable to have children.

There will never be a child
from Saul’s line in Israel again.

[music]

Up to this point the
Israelites have been nomads.

They wandered in the desert, and then they
wandered through enemy-occupied Canaan.

For generations they’ve been 
waiting for this moment.

Israel has never had a capital like Jerusalem
before—and God’s presence sits in the middle of it.

God is ruling his people as they
hoped and king David listens to him.

And as a result, Israel experiences 
a newfound peace and unity.

The New Testament reminds us that
we are all still wanderers.

The book of Hebrews says we’re
all looking for a city that is to come.

In our suffering we want a situation 
that’s not like the one we’re in.

Some of us fantasize about selling
it all and giving into our wanderlust,  

searching for that
place that feels like home.

That’s why the Bible describes 
heaven as a New Jerusalem.

Heaven is our nomadic soul’s final home.

It’s not just the place where God’s 
throne dwells, but God himself is there.

We’ll be able to look and see a King
better than David—Jesus!

And unlike the man who died when he 
touched God’s ark, God will touch our face.

He will gently wipe
the tears from our eyes.

And we won’t only be at peace from our enemies, 
but also at total peace with God and the world.

One day God will tell us that 
death and pain are over.

Jesus, the son of David and the King of New
Jerusalem, will take us by the hand and bring us home.

So, may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to see
the God who gives his people a King and a city.

And may you see Jesus as the King
who will finally make us feel at home.