2 Samuel 5:12
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. 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.
The verse belongs to the account of the rise of David's kingdom and shows God's providence in building up the kingdom of Israel, including His supernatural direction and assistance in setting David as king and lifting up his rule for Israel's sake.
The tribes acknowledged him after Ishbosheth's death, remembering that God had chosen him to be king, and he then began his reign over all Israel after ruling Judah for seven and a half years.
The Israelites gathered to him at Hebron as his bone and flesh to make him king because he had led them under Saul and had been anointed king by the prophet.
They trusted his proven ability as a military leader and his concern for them as one of their own, when he was thirty years old.
His establishment as king and the exalting of his kingdom came through two great victories gained by his army, one over the Jebusites and one over the Philistines.
During a time of peace he built up Jerusalem and his own house.
He took Jerusalem, formerly called Jebus, by stratagem from the strongly fortified Jebusite citadel and rebuilt and extended it so that it was called the city of David.
After these victories he once more gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand chief men, for another purpose, to bring the ark of God to the capital of the kingdom.
The verse shows David perceived with satisfaction that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had enlarged and exalted his kingdom.
That enlarging and exalting was not for his own good or glory but for the welfare and sake of his people Israel.
His humility and meekness and his faithfulness wherever God placed him were the true secret of his success, for his greatness came from the Lord's presence and not from his own power or merit.
Worldly success is not grounds for self-glory, since ability and honor come from God, and true greatness is to be recognized by God and to give Him the praise.
The same supernatural direction and assistance is given now to those who have faith, ask for it, expect it, and keep spiritual intercourse with God.
They believe that God sees all things, is everywhere, and concerns Himself with the affairs of His creatures, acknowledging Him in all ways instead of putting human wisdom, prudence and strength in place of God.
Faith in God exercised and cultivated brings such help, even to removing mountains.