It is not on the battlefield that David brings unity, but through political maneuvering. We are told in 2 Samuel 3 that David is growing in power, he sons demonstrate that he is blessed and prospering. The house of Saul, however, is in decline, well mostly. Abner is gaining in power within Israel but overall David's forces grow stronger while Israel's do not.
Ishbaal, Saul's son, is upset that Abner has helped himself to Saul's concubines, this should be his heir's place not the general's. But Abner is the leader of Israel, he is the reason that Ishbaal is "king" and he resents the fact that Ishbaal is now "whining." Abner decides he is going to change sides and bring the rest of Israel to David. David agrees to a new covenant between Judah and Israel, with one caveat, he wants Michal, his previous wife, returned to him. Abner agrees and arranges a meeting with David.
David and Abner hammer out the details of their new relationship and Abner leaves in peace, which does not sit well with Joab who was away on a raiding party. Through deception, Joab kills Abner. David upon hearing it, laments the loss of Abner, places the blood guilt squarely on Joab. In the same way that David mourns Saul and Jonathan, now he mourns Abner. David is proving to be a unique figure in the history of Israel.
Okay, so let me see if you are seeing any trends in David. Two brothers in the north kill Ishbaal and bring his head to David, what will David do? (cue the Jeopardy theme song) "What is kill the brothers for shedding innocent blood, Alex?" You are correct. And that is chapter 4.
The north then decides that it is time to sign on with David. They come to David at Hebron in 2 Samuel 5 and claim to be of same blood and bone. They desire to be united with David and to have David rule over them. David accepts.
Now that he is king over all of Israel, where shall he rule? What follows is the story of David's capture of Jerusalem which had long been a Jebusite stronghold. David knows the way in and takes the city, names it after himself and establishes his reign in Jerusalem.
The Philistines, recognizing that a new power is emerging, move against David, but with the Lord's help, David destroys them in the first encounter. In the second encounter, God tells David to take the Philistines from the flank and wait til he hears God among the tree tops. In a wonderful image, God walks among the trees, bring destruction to the Philistines.
David's rule is solidified.
1 Corinthians 3
What perhaps was not clear in previous passages, Paul is very clear about in this chapter: the people of Corinth might see themselves as being intelligent and mature, but Paul sees them as immature and foolish and their behavior proves his point.
Paul seemingly responds to criticism against him for not teaching the Corinthians highfalutin ideas. Paul's response, I couldn't and still cannot for you are children. I have had to spoon feed you, you are not ready for real food yet. To claim to be of Apollos and Paul means they do not understand that this wisdom comes from the Spirit and not from humans.
So that the people understand better, Paul uses three images of God's work; a field, a building and a temple. For the field perhaps it is humans who help plant the seed but it is God who provides the water and care for the field to prosper. As a building, the body of Christ might be built upon a foundation that is taught to them by a human but it is God doing the brickwork, it is God with the design, it is God with the instructions to create a strong foundation that will not break. Finally as a temple, just as God dwells in the temple, so God dwells in each of us. The building that God is building is not just a building, but a temple, a holy temple.
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