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More II Samuel commentaries

II Samuel 5:1-25
David Reigns over all of Israel

II Samuel 6:1-23
The Ark is Brought to Jerusalem

II Samuel 7:1-17
God Makes a Covenant with David

II Samuel 7:18-29
David’s Thanksgiving to God

II Samuel 8:1-18
David’s Consolidates his Kingdom

II Samuel 9:1-13
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth

II Samuel 10:1-19
The Ammonites and Syrians Defeated

II Samuel 11:1-17
David’s Sin with Bathsheba

II Samuel 11:18-27
Uriah’s Death Arranged

David’s Consolidates his Kingdom

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II Samuel 8:1–18
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When G. Campbell Morgan was a young Christian he used to visit several elderly ladies once a week to read the Bible to them. When he came to the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Morgan read, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” He added, “Isn’t that a … More

Promise

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 Exodus 23:31).  They are not international super-powers but small kingdoms.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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).
  4. 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

II Samuel 8:1-18 (English Standard Version)

After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze. When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David's sons were priests.

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