In the days of Joshua, the children of Israel failed to obey God fully and did not drive out the Jebusites. The Benjamites also allowed these people to stay with them as servants to draw water and cut the wood. That is where they made a big mistake. Now they became so strong that they were mocking David “…Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither” (2 Sam 5:6). Before David could become king overall, these Jebusites had to be defeated.
Later on, we read how there was one Jebusite who still remained in the land. When he was removed then God showed David the pattern of the Temple. 2 Sam. 24:15-25. David had used his own wisdom at that time to count the number of fighting men in his kingdom. Rather than depending upon God’s Word for strength, his eyes went upon the number of soldiers. That is why God brought him to the threshing floor. The same place became the site for Temple which was built by Solomon. “Then Solomon began to build the House of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite” (2 Chron. 3:1). That was the place where Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar. Thus all the Jebusites had to be completely sent way from the land before David could become the king over the whole kingdom.
These Jebusites speaks of men who are not born again. They are worldly people. When they are given some authority in the House of God, like the Jebusites they become strong. Those who are not born again have no part to share in the House of God. Similarly, those who are not called by God also have no share in the work of God. Among some groups, some people are brought into position in the Church by voting and election. That is why there is spiritual barrenness in their midst.
God had to use force to drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem. Even though they made fun of David, God helped him and his men to conquer them and drive them out. After he had driven out the Jebusites, he began to prosper and went on becoming great. “And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him” (2 Sam. 5:10). It says in the margin. “went ongoing and growing”. That speaks of complete victory. So we have to see that no Jebusite comes into our life, either in friendship or in marriages or in any other relationship. In the same way, no Jebusite should be given any part in the House of God. Those who are not born again and are not called for God’s service have no share in the House of God.