The Meaning of the Number Three in Scripture—Part 15

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Introduction and Review

This is the fifteenth part of a series that examines the number three and how it categorizes themes in Scripture. The previous lesson studied the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Saul, and their association with this number. (Links to all articles in this series are listed at the end of this installment.)

This lesson will explore the life of King David and how the number three highlights certain elements associated with him.

King David was anointed three times.
Antonio González Valázquez

King David's Three Anointings

The first occasion of David's anointing was when God pointed out to Samuel, the shepherd boy who was to become king of Israel, after Samuel rejected three of Jesse's seven sons.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed (appears in verb form 3x in this account) him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah (a high place)

— 1 Samuel 16:13

Immediately following this event is the battle with Goliath in which David "rose" to the occasion.

The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone to follow Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were

Eliab, the firstborn,
next to him, Abinadab,
and the third, Shammah.

David was the youngest. And the three oldest followed Saul. But David occasionally went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem ... So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight, shouting for battle.

— 1 Samuel 17:13-14,20

The second anointing occurs after Saul's death. He is anointed King in Judah.

Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
— 2 Samuel 2:4

The third event occurred in Hebron, where David began to reign just before the conquest of Jerusalem.

All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah ... So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. (Hebron is mentioned three times.)
— 2 Samuel 5:3-5,10

There was another King who was, in fact, the King of Kings, who was thirty years old when He began to reign.

Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age.
— Luke 3:23

He was 33 years old when He died, rose, and was seated at the right hand of the Father.

... after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
— Mark

Matt Slick, the President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, writes in response to a question about the age of Christ at the time of His death. He offers some interesting background information that fits this article and its themes.

No one knows exactly how old Jesus was when he died on the cross, but he was probably 33 years of age. This is drawn from two main things. First, Jesus was baptized to enter the Melchizedek priesthood. In Matthew 3:13-15, it says, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.'" Jesus got baptized to fulfill all righteousness. This fulfillment was in reference to the Old Testament requirements for being a priest, which among them was being the minimum age of 30. "from thirty years and upward, even to fifty years old, all who enter the service to do the work in the tent of meeting," (Num. 4:3). This is fulfilled in the Scriptures at Luke 3:21-23, "Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.” 23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly the son of Joseph, the son of Eli ... "
Second, most Christian scholars agree that Jesus' ministry lasted 3 1/2 years. So, 30 + 3 1/2 equals the age of 33.

In terms of time reference, John records three Passovers.

The first Passover was right after Jesus turned the water into wine; this was one of His first Miracles and the beginning of His ministry. John 2:1-13.
The second Passover is mentioned in John 3:4, which is estimated to be about halfway through His ministry. And the third Passover is first mentioned in John 11:55
— Marc Hamric "Bible Answers."

Before this, David had only ruled over one tribe, Judah. At this third anointing, the other tribes who had previously followed Saul's house concur with David. They give three reasons for this.

Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying,

"Indeed, we are your bone and your flesh.
Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in;
and the Lord said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.'"

— 2 Samuel 5:1-2

David wanted to bring up the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, from which He is now ruling, but did not follow the prescribed method of transporting it. A man died for the careless handling of it, and it was left at the home of a Levite (the tribe of priests) named Obed-Edom. The priesthood should have been handling it in the first place.

So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David, but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.
— 2 Samuel 6:10-11

Obed Edom is mentioned with Asaph, a chief musician before the Lord who had 68 brothers who were gatekeepers, making 69 (3 x 23), including Obed Edom. This detail is provided in the description, bringing up the Ark in Chronicles.

So he left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day’s work required Obed-Edom with his sixty-eight brethren, including Obed-Edom the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah, to be gatekeepers.
— 1 Chronicles 16:37,38

Ancient stringed instruments

David and Worship

The number three is also associated with the spiritual act of worship. Worship is explicitly a spiritual activity. After King David became established in Jerusalem, he began instituting a place of worship by pitching a tent for the Ark of the Covenant.

So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.
— 1 Chronicles 16:1

David acts as a priest when he offers burnt offerings and sacrifices and blesses the people at the Ark's institution.

And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord.
— 1 Chronicles 16:2

The priesthood was the office responsible for managing the spiritual dealings between the people and God. After David does this, he gives the people three things.

And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every 1. one a loaf of bread, 2. and a good piece of flesh, 3. and a flagon of wine.
— 1 Chronicles 16:3

The spiritual component and messianic connection of these three are revealed in John chapter six, in a discussion of Jesus's heavenly origin and His also being human flesh. The conversation also includes drinking a cup (wine symbolizing blood), a reference to the spiritual application of His speech. Eternal and resurrection themes run throughout the text.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world ... Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
— John 6:51-58

At this point, David also re-institutes the priesthood and its worship services.

Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising his voice with resounding joy.
— 1 Chronicles 16:16

David, acting as a priest, is hinted at once again by the wearing of fine linen.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
— 1 Chronicles 16:27

The messianic implications allude to the establishment of the combined office of our Savior as both Priest and King.

The third and final thing David does with the installation of the Ark is to write a song for Asaph and his sons to sing. Forever is noted three times in the remainder of the chapter. Singing could be considered a spiritual activity.

1. Remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations (I Chronicles 16:15)
2. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (I Chronicles 16:34)
3. ... because His mercy endures forever ... (I Chronicles 16:41)

King Saul's attempt to kill David
The Holy Scriptures in Picture and Story

The Lord Was With David

A couple of phrases occur three times in 1 Samuel chapters 18 and 19. The first concerns the Lord being with David as King Saul begins to lose his grip on the kingdom. He realizes that this dynasty will pass to David rather than to his own son, and becomes so agitated and fearful that he loses control and tries to kill David.

And Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, and had departed from Saul.
— 1 Samuel 18:12

Saul removes David from his presence and makes him captain over a thousand after a couple of javelin-throwing rages aimed at David. And yet ...

David behaved himself wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.
— 1 Samuel 18:14

Saul begins strategizing how to get rid of David and makes him an offer that, hopefully, gets him killed. The consolation prize was supposed to be Saul's oldest daughter in marriage, which would have made David eligible for the throne at some point. Jonathan, Saul's son, would be next in line, but in the previous text, Jonathan has conceded to David. Saul's plan doesn't work, and he gives his eldest daughter to another. Then, he proposes another risky war venture, hoping that he will die, and this time, he offers his younger daughter, Michal.

Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king's son-in-law. And Saul gave him Michal, his daughter, as wife ... And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him.
And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.
— 1 Samuel 18:27-29

David is now an official member of the royal family. The three mentions provide us with the spiritual component of these events. No matter what natural world challenges presented themselves, the Lord, who is a Spirit, was with David.

1 Samuel Chapters 19 and 20

Three and its spiritual themes continue into chapters 19 and 20 as Saul's rage continues. David has now fled from Saul, and when Saul pursues him, he runs into some prophets prophesying.

And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.

And when it was told to Saul, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also ...

... And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and prophesied, until he came to Naioth in Ramah.

— 1 Samuel 19:20-23

David pleads with Jonathan to consider the dire situation, considering that Saul is plotting David's death. David hides while Jonathan assesses the situation, with a plan that includes three days (mentioned three times) and three arrows.

David said to Jonathan, "Indeed, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat. But let me go, that I may hide in the field until the third day at evening.
— 1 Samuel 20:5
Then Jonathan said to David: “The Lord God of Israel is witness! When I have sounded out my father sometime tomorrow, or the third day, and indeed there is good toward David, and I do not send to you and tell you
— 1 Samuel 20:12
Then Jonathan said to David, "Tomorrow is the New Moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. And when you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid on the day of the deed; and remain by the stone Ezel. Then I will shoot three arrows to the side, as though I shot at a target.
— 1 Samuel 20:18-20

It is concluded that Saul is plotting to kill David, and Jonathan and David have one final meeting before David departs for good.

David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so. Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.’” So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.
— 1 Samuel 20:41-42

David and Christ Recover All

1 Samuel chapter 30 records when David is still on the run from Saul, including a third-day event.

Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. (Ziklag was used three times).

— 1 Samuel 30:1-2

The people with David in Ziklag are pretty upset with him and are talking about stoning him. Unlike Saul, who seeks to appease the people rather than obey the Lord.

David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
— 1 Samuel 30:6

Also, unlike Saul, David seeks out a priest of the Lord for further instruction. Saul sought a medium.

On their way to seek out and pursue the marauders, they encounter an Egyptian servant of the Amalekites. The Egyptian servant had been left for dead. David and his troops did the following.

(David and his troops) ... gave him bread, and he ate, and they let him drink water. And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his spirit came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights.
— 1 Samuel 30:11-12

David then questions him.

Then David said to him, "To whom do you belong, and where are you from?"

And he said, “I am a young man from Egypt, servant of an Amalekite; and my master left me behind, because three days ago I fell sick.
— 1 Samuel 30:13

The Egyptian servant agrees to help David and his men track them down, and David recovers everything. The word "three" is used three times in verses 11-13. It is a stunning example of what Christ did for us in those three days and three nights before His resurrection.

... ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
— Colossians 2:10-15

Christ has recovered all for us in His death and resurrection.

Jesus weeping over Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives

David's Third Son Born to Him in Hebron

There were two sets of sons born to David. The first six (3 x 2) were born to him in Hebron, and the remaining nine (3 x 3) were born later in Jerusalem. Absalom was the third son born to David in Hebron.

In 2 Samuel, Absalom had Amnon, his half-brother, killed for raping his full-sister Tamar. David expressed anger about what had happened but did not avenge the crime, so Absalom took matters into his own hands by having him killed then.

Absalom fled to Geshur and was there for three years.
— 2 Samuel 13:38

Joab, David's right-hand man, senses that David wants Absalom to come back and sets up an elaborate storytelling incident with a woman presenting a case of two sons involving one who killed the other. David reassures the woman that no harm would come to the son who killed the other.

Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom (father of peace) to Jerusalem (city of peace).
— 2 Samuel 14:23

David lets Absalom return but refuses to see him, and a discussion begins about Absalom's handsome appearance and descendants.

To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.
— 2 Samuel 14:27

Absalom seeks to overthrow his father's kingdom by patiently winning the hearts of the people to himself. It was indeed an ancient political campaign aimed at maligning and undermining his father's lordship over the kingdom. After 40 years, Absalom has gathered a significant following and pleads to the king to go to Hebron under this guise.

For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
— 2 Samuel 15:8-9

At this juncture, Absalom conspires to make himself king at the very same place where David began to rule Israel. We can see in this text links with how the number three is used in connection with arising.

King David returns to Jerusalem.

King David's Return to Jerusalem

So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
— 2 Samuel 15:14

A bunch of "Passovers" appear in the text at this event.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. And all his servants passed on (passed over - avar) beside him; and all the

Cherethites (three biblical mentions),
and all the Pelethites,
and all the Gittites,

Six hundred men who came after him from Gath passed on (passed over - avar) before the king.

— 2 Samuel 15:18

David encourages Ittai, the Gittite, and those with him to return to avoid the impending conflict, but Ittai replies as follows.

... As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
— 2 Samuel 15:21

David made Ittai captain of the third part of his army and named him one of his thirty valiant men.

Then David sent out one-third of the people under the hand of Joab, one-third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one-third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite.
— 2 Samuel 18:2

More "Passovers" are Coming up.

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. (three passovers) And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out (passover - avar) out of the city.

— 2 Samuel 15: 22-24

David tells them to put the Ark of God back in the city with this confidence.

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation ...
— 2 Samuel 15:25

This next part is interesting and very reminiscent of a New Testament event.

And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet (one of three peaks), and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
— 2 Samuel 15:30

Before we compare, it should be noted that the Garden of Gethsemane (oil press in Hebrew) is located at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The journey to the third and final Passover meal and the cross itself begins with Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Now, when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives ...

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

"Hosanna to the Son of David!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved.

— Matthew 21:1

Jesus then cleansed the temple and had several final confrontational conversations, including lessons and parables. These discourses were predominantly addressed to the Pharisees and Sadducees. These religious rulers were so resistant and oppositional to His Lordship that they plotted His death. They conspired against Him, much as Absalom had conspired against David.

Absalom is hanging by his hair in a tree.

Absalom Continued ...

In the thick of war, Absalom gets hung up in a tree by his long flowing hair while riding through a forest. The language offers a deeper insight into being hung on a tree/wood/cross.

... he was taken up between the heaven and the earth ...
— 2 Samuel 18:9

The cross is seen here as an intersection between heaven and Earth, and as an instrument of judgment.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
— John 12:31-32

David doesn't want his son killed despite Absalom's treasonous plot to overthrow his father's kingdom and instructs his own army not to do so. But Joab, the first of David's three principal commanders, decides to take advantage of the situation and finish off Absalom while he hangs in the tree.

Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
— 2 Samuel 18:14

King David's cry for Absalom resembles King Jesus' cry for Jerusalem.
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem—O Absalom O Absalom

This section concludes with David's sorrow over the destruction of his son, which sounds very much like Jesus's sorrow over Jerusalem when He cried, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem."

And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom (father of peace), my son, my son Absalom! Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
— 2 Samuel 18:33 (Absalom used three times)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke records the word Jerusalem three times in this quote)

— Matthew 24:37-39

The story concludes by explaining what Christ did on that cross with the phrase, "Would God I had died for thee." The phrase "my son" is used five (number of grace) times and completes the revelation that God's one and only Son, who hung on the cross between heaven and Earth, bearing our judgment for sin, is the perfect grace of God displayed.

Absalom was judged on that tree and deservedly so. Christ hung on that tree in our place. We are like Absalom, worthy of judgment. God's grace is through His Son bearing that for us.

... we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
— Hebrews 2:9
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God ...
— Ephesians 2:4-8

This scene connects us with Psalm 118 and details Christ's confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were experts in the Writings and should have connected the dots.

The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord's doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. (Hosanna in Hebrew)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

— Psalm 118:22-26

This was immediately following the Last Supper.

... when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
— Matthew 26:30

The Mount of Olives is mentioned three times in Matthew and Mark. Mark's Gospel expounds on the end-of-the-age events before the meal, which could also be symbolized by Absalom seemingly taking over the kingdom in this account. After this are the three prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (oil press)

Back to our 2 Samuel account, more Passovers as David continues to flee from Absalom. This part is our third section of Passovers, much like the three Passovers in the book of John.

And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told King David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counseled against you. Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over (passed over - avar עבר ) Jordan ... Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
— 2 Samuel 17:21-24

In his book, God's Light: Man's Lamp, John D. Garr makes this observation about the entire "Promised Land."

"The land of promise had always been a place of conflict, for it formed the land bridge at the confluence of three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa."

This territory is, to this day, hotly contested, especially Jerusalem itself. It is presently represented and divided by three major religious groups: Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

We can see how the number three expresses the concepts of life, death, judgment, and resurrection. After these events, there is a three-year famine because Saul slew the Gibeonites with whom they were in covenant, and David avenges the crime by slaying an equal number of Saul's sons.

The picture portrays what King David may have looked like in his old age.
"Study of King David" by Margaret Cameron

David's Last Words

King David's last words involve "threes" and "thirties," along with the concepts of Spirit, anointing, and resurrection. II Samuel chapter 23 opens with the following.

Thus says David, the son of Jesse (third generation from Ruth and Boaz);
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob (third patriarch),
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:

The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.

— 2 Samuel 23-24

Next is an accounting of the mighty men of David

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth ... And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword ... And after him was Shammah ...

— 2 Samuel 23:8-11

An account is then given that recounts an event that David had with Saul before he became king.

Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem. And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless, he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. And he said, "Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore, he would not drink it.
These things were done by the three mighty men.
And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
Was he not the most honorable of the three? Therefore, he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three ...
... These things did Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
He was more honorable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
Asahel, the brother of Joab, was one of the thirty; Elhanan, the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
— 2 Samuel 23:13-19

This account records the rise of David's army. The number three is mentioned nine times (3x3) in 2 Samuel chapter 23.

Jerusalem
James Tissot
Brooklyn Museum

The Establishment of Jerusalem: The Heavenly City

... you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.

— Hebrews 12:22

The theme of Jerusalem strongly connects with number three and heavenly things, as well as the Davidic Kingdom. It is the place where God chooses for His name to dwell. And worship is established.

I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
— 2 Chronicles 6:6

Jerusalem receives 30 mentions in 2 Samuel, which is fitting, as the book closes with the purchase of the place where the temple will be built by David's son, Solomon, who was then in possession of the Jebusites.

The threshing floor of Araunah on the temple mount in Jerusalem was purchased when David decided to take a census of the people, which was forbidden unless instructed by God.

When you take the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when you number them; that there be no plague among them, when thou number them.
— Exodus 30:12

These people were not David's to count; he had just caused them to be uncovered and unprotected under the covenant terms of the price paid for the ransom of souls.

Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, "Go and tell David, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: "I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you."
So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: 'Choose for yourself, either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the Lord—the plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me." (three threes)
— 1 Chronicles 21:10-12

David chose the third option, which only the mercy of God, not man, could cure.

Please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.
— 2 Samuel 24:14

Seventy thousand people died in that plague, and David is disturbed by how his decision affected so many. Isn't that how sin is? As much as we would like to think our sin is petty and harms no one else, we are sadly mistaken.

... through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned ...
— Romans 5:12

The scene to follow is very revealing in its language, hinting at a future event that will deliver humanity from its judgment plague of sin.

And David lifted up his eyes (remember on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes on this same mount with a substitutionary sacrificial ram in the thicket, looking to a future hope and resurrection that would occur there), and saw the angel of the Lord stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem
— I Chronicles 21:16

Jesus said this about His sacrificial death, for our sins, that pardoned our judgment.

... if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
— John 12:32

David pleads with God to take the judgment himself rather than watch those who didn't cause this to suffer.

... let your hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house.
— 2 Samuel 24:17

This event describes precisely what Christ did for us.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous ...
— Romans 5:19
... who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree.
— 1 Peter 2:24

Next, David is commanded to "go up" to set up an altar (sacrifice). This scene reminds us of what Christ has done for us.

Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the Lord.
— 1 Chronicles 21:18,19

David follows Gad's instructions, the seer, to build an altar to the Lord at the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite.

Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
— 1 Chronicles 21:22

Jesus paid the total price. Nothing less would do. He was offered easy ways out of the deal from beginning to end, from the three temptations in the wilderness to the three prayers of agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

... do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels? How, then, would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?
— Matthew 26:53

Araunah likewise offers David the opportunity to borrow the place and provide the supplies for the sacrifice, but David refuses on this note.

And King David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
— 1 Chronicles 21:24

Sin costs something, and it wasn't cheap. The writer of Hebrews warns us to consider the high cost of our redemption.

Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
— Hebrews 10:29

I conclude this section with the reminder that the mountain just discussed is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which will become the central place of worship.

Dead Sea Scrolls Psalms
Library of Congress

Psalm 89

Psalm 89 is essentially an exposition of the Davidic Covenant, God's plan to prepare for the establishment of His heavenly kingdom on Earth. Heavenly and spiritual themes are laced throughout this poetic piece.

The following revelation was brought to my attention while reading "The Unseen Realm" by Michael Heiser, which answered a question I have been asking for some time. Who are the "Sons of God"? The Sons of God appeared in the book of Job when the Sons of God appeared before the Lord, and in Genesis when the Sons of God took the daughters of men for themselves. Were they mere men or spirit beings? Here is where knowing what numbers represent comes in handy. There are three sets of three things that will confirm that the "Sons of God," when mentioned in Scripture, refer to spirit beings. The Scripture text I'll be using will be from the Lexham translation. More accurately, this particular translation rendered this specific portion of Scripture most closely to the original Hebrew.

And so the heavens will praise your wonderful deed, O Yahweh,
even your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the sky is equal to Yahweh?
Who is like Yahweh among the sons of God,
a God feared greatly in the council of the holy ones,
And awesome above all surrounding him?

— Psalm 89:5-6

We see three occasions of Yahweh, the covenant name of God, who is a Spirit, and three heavenly words: "heavens," "sky," and "above all." The final three are a chiasm. "The sons of God" is sandwiched between "the assembly of the holy ones" and "the council of the holy ones."

These three are all the same. The sons of God are an assembly and a council of spirit beings. The three sets of three confirm that all three of these concern the heavenly spiritual realm.

Sources used for all parts of this series can be found in Part 20, the final installment.