David’s Consolidates His Kingdom
February 28, 2019
Commentary
Part of God’s covenant with David included the promise that the enemies of Israel would be defeated and would no longer oppress them (I Sam. 7:10-11). God fulfilled this promise by helping David defeat the opposing nations. The peoples and places discussed in this chapter are those that surround the nation of Israel. These are the people that occupied the land given to Israel (Gen. 12:1-18) and (Ex. 23:31). They are not international super-powers but small kingdoms.
The first to be defeated was the Philistines (v. 1), who are located to Israel’s west and were perhaps Israel’s most troublesome neighbor. Once David had become king, the Philistines thought it best to attack quickly in an attempt to nullify the threat he would bring. They failed and now David brings their tyranny to an end.The next to be defeated are the Moabites (v. 2), descendants of Lot who lives east of the Dead Sea. They had posed a constant military and religious threat to Israel. At one time David seemed to have a good relationship with the Moabites. David’s lineage included Ruth, who was a Moabites. When it appeared that Saul would hurt David’s family, they fled to be with the Moabites and sought protection. Now David defeats them.Then David turns to conquer Zobah (vv. 3-8), which is within 25 miles or so of Damascus, directly to the north. When the Syrians of Damascus see that David is a threat to their “national security,” they come to the aid of Zorah and the Syrians are defeated. Toi, king of Hamath, was grateful to David for defeating Hadadezer. He expressed his appreciation by dispatching his son with valuable gifts of gold, silver and bronze (vv. 9-12).Another victory is over the Edomites (vv. 13-14), who become servants of David. They were to the south, which means that David defeated his enemies on every side. Saul’s simple court had now evolved into a complex royal bureaucracy (vv. 15-18).
Application
David took care of his physical enemies who were on every side with the Lord’s help. I need to be concerned about my spiritual enemies and claim God’s promises that He will help me defeat them.
2 Samuel 8:1– 18 (NET)
1 Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. David took Metheg Ammah from the Philistines. 2 He defeated the Moabites. He made them lie on the ground and then used a rope to measure them off. He put two-thirds of them to death and spared the other third. The Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 3 David defeated King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah when he came to reestablish his authority over the Euphrates River. 4 David seized from him 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantrymen. David cut the hamstrings of all but 100 of the chariot horses. 5 The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans. 6 David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 7 David took the golden shields that belonged to Hadadezer’s servants and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities, King David took a great deal of bronze.
9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Toi had been at war with Hadadezer. He brought with him various items made of silver, gold, and bronze. 11 King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the dedicated silver and gold that he had taken from all the nations that he had subdued, 12 including Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. This also included some of the plunder taken from King Hadadezer son of Rehob of Zobah.
13 David became famous when he returned from defeating the Edomites in the Valley of Salt; he defeated 18,000 in all. 14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. 15 David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.
16 Joab son of Zeruiah was general in command of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary; 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada supervised the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.
Illustration: How a Typical Life Span of 70 Years is Spent
Someone has calculated how a typical life span of 70 years is spent. Here is the estimate:
Sleep
23 Years
Work16 Years
TV8 Years
Eating6 Years
Travel6 Years
Leisure4.5 Years
Illness4 Years
Dressing2 Years
Religon0.5 Years
TOTAL70 Years
(Our Daily Bread, November 25, 1992).