2 Samuel 8:1 – 18 “Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah (The name means “bridal of the mother city) from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.
David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty-thousand-foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.
When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Toi. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze, and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.
God is giving David victories on every side, and David is extending the kingdom. In addition, David is collecting a great deal of silver and gold and bronze. Remember those things, because later on, Solomon will use this loot to beautify his temple in Jerusalem. If these conquests sound bloody, it’s because David had no choice. But notice that David is not multiplying chariots and horses, hamstringing most of the horses so that they can walk but not run. If you go back to the instructions for kings in the Law of Moses, kings are specifically forbidden from multiplying horses and chariots, a command that Solomon will later ignore.
God has promised to help David, and He is fulfilling His promises. But there are two sides to this covenant. David also must obey God’s commands; otherwise, he cannot expect God’s help. The most important statement is the description of David’s reign. David administers justice and righteousness for all his people and also selects high quality heads of departments. The only puzzling thing is the statement about David’s sons being priests. David is not from the tribe of Levi, so his sons have no right to become priests; moreover, later on, two of his sons will rebel against David, not exactly appropriate behavior for a priest. Nothing further is ever said regarding David’s sons and their priestly roles, so perhaps his sons are fulfilling minor assisting functions in the tabernacle.
APPLICATION: Proverbs 16:7 tells us, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” At this point in David’s career, David is being careful to please the Lord, and the Lord is bringing peace. If you are familiar with David’s story, you realize that later on, David becomes complacent and commits a grievous sin as a result.
How can we reconcile this verse from Proverbs 16 with Jesus’ assurance to his disciples that “in this world you will have tribulation?” This question is a thorny one, for many times, people assume that anyone having problems must deserve those problem. The answer is that we all have seasons in our lives when things go well, and other seasons when things become stressful and seem overwhelming. There are times when we are forced to take a stand for righteousness; and at those times, we can expect criticism and slander. But blessedly, there are other times when things become calm, giving us respite.
Whether we are facing affliction or whether things seem smooth, God remains on His throne and He is still in charge. One of the reasons David’s psalms have remained so popular throughout the years is that these poems reflect the struggles of a righteous and honest man. Some of the psalms were obviously written when David was in despair or when he feared for his life. David made no bones about demanding to know where God was and why God wasn’t doing something about his problems!
Psalm 69:1 – 4 says, “Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck.
I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing;
I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.
I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are those who would destroy me— my enemies for no reason.”
How’s that for despair? And these verses were written by someone God himself described as a “man after his own heart.”
Has God given you rest from your enemies? Praise Him! Do you identify with David, feeling that you are up to your neck in slime with no way out? Continue to praise God anyway. As David proved, God can and will deliver. Even if things are miserable now, God can still make a way for you out of your problems. Trust Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many who are struggling with all kinds of problems. They wonder if You even exist, or if You exist, do You really care for them? Lord, make Yourself so real to these people that they will KNOW that You can give them everything they need. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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