2 Samuel 8-10

2 Samuel 8 – David’s Subdues Philistines and Moabites 

The Philistines were Israel’s neighboring enemy.  Samson fought the Philistines in Judges 13-16.  It was the Philistines who defeated Israel and captured the ark in 1 Samuel 4. Jonathan attacked the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14.  David killed Goliath who was a Philistine and led the pursuit of them in 1 Samuel 17. David found sanctuary with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 21 and 27.  The Philistines defeated Israel’s army and killed Saul and his 2 sons in 1 Samuel 31.  Now in 2 Samuel 8 as king, David defeated the Philistines.

King David also defeated and subdued the Moabites.  He killed 2/3 of the Moabites and let 1/3 live.  David dedicated to the Lord all the articles of silver, gold and bronze that had been plundered.  These victories were a testimony of the Lord’s power in David’s life and for Israel.  It made other nations respect Israel and God.  The Lord gave David victory wherever he went and David always gave the Lord the credit.

If we would dedicate more of our resources to God, there would be less poverty and less dependence on the government.  When we can dedicate our time reading and studying the Bible, it draws us closer to Him and we grow in faith.  God has given each person talents and gifts.  By using them we become witnesses for Him and it furthers His kingdom. 

What have you dedicated to God?

Principle:  Obedience leads us to victory in life. 

How could David kill so many?  David is God’s king and King of Israel.  He rules for God.  These Moabites were enemies of Israel and so were enemies of God.  Remember he did show mercy and let 1/3 live.

David reigned over all Israel and administered judgment and justice to all his people.  This is how God wanted Saul to reign, but he resisted and rejected the Lord.  Because David allowed God to subdue him so the nations were subdued by God for David. 

No great ruler succeeds by himself.  Part of David’s success was because of his ability to empower and maintain a team.  David always showed great leadership.  He was strong, bold, and confident in the Lord.  He was just, wise and a good organizer.  He put together a team that worked together.  Joab was over the army; Jehoshaphat was the recorder; Zadak and Ahimelech were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were royal advisers.

How do you think others will describe you? 

Will they say you were an encourager and a person of integrity?  Will they say you were compassionate, kind, and full of humility?

If not, what’s keeping from being that kind of person?

2 Samuel 9 – David’s Shows Grace to Mephibosheth

Usually when a new king came to power all the family members of the former king were killed in order to keep them from trying to regain the throne.  David didn’t do that.  Instead he asked if there were any of Saul’s family still alive so he could help them.

He found out that Saul’s son, Jonathan who had been David’s best friend, had a lame son named Mephibosheth.  David remembered his promise to Jonathan to always show kindness to his family.  So Mephibosheth was brought into the palace and ate at the king’s table like one of his sons.  He restored to him all the land that belonged to his grandfather, Saul.  David didn’t treat him kindly because he deserved it, but because he had made a covenant with Jonathan.

Do you tend to look down on those you consider unworthy?
What is keeping you from showing kindness to someone who is undeserving?

Do you only do what is required or do you ever go beyond in generosity and love?

This is a wonderful example of grace.  We are like Mephibosheth.  He once walked with his father as man walked with God.  But sin came and mankind fell and was left spiritually cripple.  Our nature separates us from God.  We are hiding in our sin and are fearful of the Lord.  We are separated from our King because of our sin.   Although we were helpless and hopeless like Mephibosheth, God welcomes us into His family when we have done nothing to deserve it.  He sent Jesus to take our punishment for our sins.  It’s a free gift from God.  Now we can sit at the King’s table.  Because of this grace we have eternal life.  There is nothing we can do but be thankful and accept God’s gift of love and kindness.

Do you fear death?  You should if you are outside of Christ.  You face terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of fire which will last forever.  God seeks us exactly where we are, fallen in sin and far from God.  David and Jonathan made a covenant just as God made a covenant with His Son.  For His sake He shows us kindness.

Principle:  Grace seeks us where we are and brings us to the King’s presence.

2 Samuel 10 – David Defeats the Ammonites

Nahash, the Ammonite king had died and his son Hanun became the new king.  David wanted to show kindness to Hanun because his father had been kind to David.  So David sent a delegation of men to express his sympathy to Hanun, but Hanun suspected them as being spies.   Hanun seized David’s men and deliberately humiliated them.  He shaved off half of their beards, cut off part of their garments and sent them away.  Of course this insulted and humiliated the men.  This was as if Hanun had insulted the King David himself. 

The Ammonites realized they had made David angry so they prepared for war.  David sent his army to do battle.  The Ammonites came out to fight.  The enemy's armies in the front and the enemy's armies in the rear, but Joab put his faith in the Lord.  He told his men, “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God.  The Lord will do what is good in his sight” – 2 Sam. 10:12  He knew the outcome was ultimately in God’s hands.  When Joab and his army advanced to fight, the enemies fled.   They couldn’t stand before Israel mighty men and they knew it.  Joab returned home to Israel.  Then the enemy regrouped so David gathered is men and went to battle.  Before the enemy fled again, David fought and killed 700 of those in chariots and 40,000 foot soldiers.  When they saw they were defeated by Israel, they finally got the point.  It doesn’t pay to fight against God’s King.  Those that survived made peace with Israel and became Israel’s subjects.  David became even more powerful.

Principle:  God’s works all things to the good of the believer.

Next time we will continue in the book of 2 Samuel.  See you here next time.

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