The Book of second Samuel

Chapter 8

 

 

[1] And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
[2] And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
[3] David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

 

1) David’s Conquests

 

                        A. Triumph over Philistines   (Vs 1)

 

                        The Philistines had troubled Israel for centuries. Many times the enemy had dominated Israel

                        Yet David attacks anyway and he subdues the enemy, by the help of God

                        I Chr 18:1....Methegammah is Gath. Notice that God’s people actually take territory from the enemy

 

                        A victory over a stubborn enemy, God will overcome all.....even the devil

                        Today you meet stubborn enemies in your life, (temper) the Holy Spirit can help you overcome

 

                        B. Triumph over Moab          (Vs 2)

 

                        David attacks another enemy, Moab.

                        Remember David’s great-grandmother, Ruth was from Moab.

                        Remember I Sam 22:3-4 David sent his own parents to Moab, as David ran from Saul 

                        Maybe Moab mistreated David’s parents, we don’t know

 

                        David divided Moab into three parts. 2 of which were measured off to death and another to life

                        The living were forced to pay tribute (tax) to Israel in recognition of their strength

                        They have become David’s servants

 

                        See how harshly the enemy was dealt with. God will deal with the enemy severely

                        Today the Holy Spirit wants to deal with the enemy severely and do away with them if I allow it

 

                        C. Triumph over Zobah          (Vs 3,4)

 

                        David went to settle the border of his nation at the river Euphrates         (prom to Abraham Gen 15:18-21)

                        There the king of Zobah opposed him and David attacked the Syrians of Zobah

                        David took 1000 chariots, 700 horsemen & 20,000 foot soldiers

                        David cut the hamstrings of the horses thus disabling Zobah’s power to counter (except 100)

                        David also did this to show his trust and strength was in God Deut 17:15-16, Ps 20:7

 

                        D. Triumph over Syria           (Vs 5-8)

 

                        The Syrians of Damascus, hearing of David’s victory over their ally Zobah, arrive to help Zobah

                        But David slew 22,000 Syrians and the Syrians became David’s servants

                        The Lord preserved David withersoever he went

 

                        The enemies of God’s church think to secure themselves and in the end it will be to their ruin

                        David took shields of gold and much brass and brought it back to Jerusalem

                        David took what was the glory of the enemy and turned it into a trophy for God’s power

 

                            A tough army was conquered and God will conquer every alliance (the world, the flesh & the devil)

                        Today the Holy Spirit maybe separating the ungodly alliance in your life

                        The Holy Spirit wants to kick out your false strength and show you His strength

                       

                        Taking what was the glory of the enemy and turning it into God’s glory

                        God wants to take all that were sinners and turn them into trophies of grace to the power of God

 

                        E. Triumph over Edom           (Vs 14)

 

                        David put troops throughout Edom and Edom became David’s servants as well

 

[4] And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
[5] And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
[6] Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
[7] And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
[8] And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
[9] When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
[10] Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
[11] Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
[12] Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
[13] And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

 

            2) David’s Crown       (Vs 9-13)

 

                        Neighboring nations saw the hand of God upon David and brought to David honor and gifts

                        Toi, the King of Hammath heard how David smote Syria and sent his son as an ambasador

                        This was done to thank David for breaking the power of Syria, whom King Toi feared

                        The prince and ambassador of Hammath presents silver, gold & brass

 

                        David dedicates all these items (the spoils of war) to the Lord               

                        This crowns all the victories of David (out-shining Alexander & Ceaser as they sought their own glory)

                                For all praise and glory belongs to God, not ourselves

 

                                David was given a great reputation for his courage, conduct and character

                        All of these conquests, secure peace for David’s son and procured wealth to build God’s House

 

                                Jesus will be crowned with a crown that no man can take away

Jesus will sit upon the throne and you and I will reign with Him Rev 1:6

                        Today the Holy Spirit is at work to train you and I for future service in the King’s court 

                        Today the Holy Spirit wants to crown you with victory and honor. Then you can lay it all at Jesus’ feet

                            The Holy Spirit wants you to use what you have been blessed with and dedicate it to the Lord

Ps115:1, II Thes 1:12


[14] And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
[15] And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
[16] And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
[17] And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
[18] And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.

 

            3) David’s Court        (Vs 15-18)

 

                        David reigned over Israel and administered judgment and justice unto all his people

                        The fundamental duty of government

 

Joab was general over the army, Jehoshaphat was recorder, Zadok & Ahimelceh the priest, Seriah was scribe Benaiah was over the hired soldiers from foreign lands

David’s sons were chief rulers

                        No great ruler succeeds by himself

                        David had a God given ability to assemble, train, empower and maintain a powerful team