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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2 Samuel 7

2 Samuel 7:1-7 – God Says No to David        

King David settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies.  David saw all that God had given him.  He was troubled of the thought of him living in a nicer house than the Lord. He was so thankful for what the Lord had done for him and he wanted to do something to show his gratitude.  He told the prophet Nathan that he wanted to build the Lord a house of cedar, a temple to replace the tabernacle.  The tent where the ark lived was called the tent of meeting and also known as the tabernacle.  It was perfectly suited for moving easily as Israel journeyed to their promised land.  Now David wanted a more appropriate place for the ark.  Nathan told David to go and do all that is in his heart. 

The house referred to here means temple.  David wanted to show honor to the Lord for all that He had done for him.  He thought a tent wasn’t good enough for the Lord.  He wanted to build the Lord a great temple.  So what could be wrong with that?

That night the Lord came to Nathan and asked him to tell David, “Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?”  I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.  I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.”  The Lord never said He asked for a house.  In others words the Lord refused David.  The Lord was not angry, but was honored that David wanted to do this for Him.

Sometimes we pray to God with good motives and even a pure heart, but God still says “no”.  When God says “no”, we need to remember He isn’t rejecting us.  He has a better plan in mind for our lives.

When has God said “no” to you for something you wanted?

What was the outcome?

Was His plan better?

2 Samuel 7:8-17 – God’s Covenant with David

The Lord reminder David of all He had done for him.  He told David that He took him from being a shepherd to being a ruler.  He had been with David wherever he had gone and given him victory over his enemies.  Now the Lord would make David a great name and provide a place the people of Israel.  The wicked would not oppress them anymore.  David would have rest from all his enemies.

The Lord chose David and made him king over Israel.  He promised David that someone from his family would always be king.  The Lord would raise up his offspring to succeed him and will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house in the Lord’s name.  David’s son refers to Solomon who would build the temple.  It also refers to all the other kings who would come from David’s family.  All the kings of Israel were sons of God and were special to Him.  Jesus would come through David’s family.  His kingdom will endure forever and David’s throne would be established forever.

Even though the Lord said “no” to David, His “yes” to him was even greater.  He said “yes” to David’s deepest desire, which was to glorify God.  God’s plan was much greater than David’s good intent.  David wanted to build a physical house, but God was building a living house that would endure forever.  Through David, Jesus would build His church – a living spiritual house for those who would believe in Him.

Peace for Israel would last for a time, but because of sin there would be more conflict just as it is in the world today.  Where there is sin there is turmoil, but as followers of Jesus we can experience His eternal peace.

Do you believe in God’s promises?

If not, what is keeping you from believing?

2 Samuel 7:18-29 – David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving

David didn’t become proud when he heard what the Lord promised.  He was so thankful and humbled that he prayed to the Lord.  He praised the Lord for His greatness and called himself His servant 10 times in this passage.  He didn’t call himself “king”, but “your servant”.  He could hardly believe all the Lord had promised.  The Sovereign Lord had given this unworthy man eternal love and privilege.  The Lord told David what would happen in the future.  David knew he didn’t deserve anything.  He asked the Lord to keep His promises knowing He would.  He gave Him honor and wanted his family to always serve the Lord.

David didn’t build the temple, but accepted the Lord’s decision and obeyed Him.  However in Chronicles 28 the Lord gave David the plans for the temple.  This helped his son Solomon with the preparations for the future building of the temple.

What is keeping you from praising God even when He doesn’t give you what you’ve asked?

Principle:  God keeps all His promises in His timing and for His purposes and our good.

The world is filled with people who are self-absorbed and want to be famous at any cost.  David’s desire was to make God’s name great.  What’s your desire?

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

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2 Samuel 5-6

2 Samuel 5 – David Anointed as Israel’s King

David was king of Judah.  Now the people of Israel wanted him to be their king – King of all Israel.  They told David that he was their own flesh and blood.  He had led their army and had been their shepherd.  All the elders anointed David king.  He was 30 years old and reigned for 40 years.  He reigned over Judah for 7 years and 6 months and reigned over all Israel and Judah for 33 years.

David and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who were living there.  David conquered Jerusalem and made his residence there.  He called it the City of David.  He became more and more powerful because the Lord God was with him.  Hiram king of Tyre built a palace for David.  David knew that the Lord was the one who established him as king and exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.  David took more concubines and wives and had more sons and daughters. 

All of these wives were taken in direct disobedience for a king.  Deut. 17:17 – “You must not take many wives or his heart will be led astray.”  David may have thought all these wives and many children were signs of God’s blessings, but he would find out that they would cause David a lot of trouble in the future.

When the Philistines heard of David being made king, they searched for him.  David inquired of the Lord if he should go and attack them and if the Lord would give him victory.  The Lord said to go and He would hand them over to David.  So David did what the Lord said and defeated the Philistines taking their abandoned idols.

When have you asked God for guidance and then obeyed Him?  What was the outcome?

2 Samuel 6 – David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

David wanted to bring the ark to Jerusalem, because he wanted to make the worship of God central in the lives of Israel.  The ark was a rectangular box that contained the 10 commandments.  It was the symbol of God’s presence with the people.  We gather to worship today in churches, but do we act like we are gathering in God’s holy presence?  True worship involves focusing on the fact that the Holy God is there.

David built a new ox cart to carry the ark.  He didn’t think to consult God or the Levite priest, even  the priests didn't consult God.  They did as the Philistines had done when they captured the ark carrying it on an ox cart.   The cart became unsteady and Uzzah reached for the ark to steady it.  He touched it, which was strictly forbidden.  “they must not touch the holy things or they will die.” – Num. 4:15.  God struck him dead because of his irreverent act.   In the book of Leviticus there were specific and detailed instructions on how to handle and move the ark of God.  Only the Levite priests were to do this. 

It was David’s fault that the Levites were not asked to move the ark.  Maybe he assumed God was so much on his side that he could get away with anything.  So it was really David’s fault that all this happened.  David learned that serving God is never enough.  Things must be done God’s way to accomplish His will.

Was God being too harsh on Uzzah?  He had the best intentions.  He was only trying to help.  I think Uzzah saw no difference between the ark and any other valuable article.  He took it for granted.  It was probably just commonplace to him.  However he should have known God’s rules about handling the ark.  Many people are like that today.  They grew up going to church and know God’s commands.  They have taken church and God for granted.  They don’t take Him seriously.

Principle:  God expects us to obey His commands.

David was angry as to what God had done.  Then he became afraid and maybe a little embarrassed in front of the crowd.  God had not done things David’s way.  God did them His way.  God’s Word is clear as to how the ark was to be carried and David should have known this.  Out of fear David had the ark stored at the house of Obed-Edom.  It remained there for 3 months.  While the ark was there, David learned the house of Obed-Edom was blessed because of the presence of the ark.

David was glad that the presence of the ark had brought blessings so he decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem.  This time he did it the proper way, God’s way with the Levites carrying it.  When they had gone 6 steps they stopped and sacrificed an oxen and a fatted sheep.  When it was set in its place, they offered more sacrifices and sang and danced with joy celebrating the ark’s return.  David’s wife Michal saw David dancing without his ephod.  When she’s saw him, she didn’t appreciate his exuberant worship and despised him in her heart.

David was not immodest.  He simply took off his royal robe.  He was dressed just like everyone else in the procession.  His dancing was appropriate.  It was a parade with everyone celebrating this joyous occasion.

When David returned home, Michal told David that he was a king acting vulgar in the sight of the slave girls.  She was angry that he took off his kingly robe and identified with his people.  David didn’t let her criticism ruin his day.  Instead he explained that he did it for God and not for her and that he would be even more undignified and be humble in his own sight.  He would celebrate before the Lord. 

The chapter ends by saying Michal would have no children.  Maybe their marriage ended and they no longer lived together as husband and wife.  We really don’t know what happened to her.

Principle:  Worshipping God is nothing to be ashamed of.

Do you worship God with enthusiasm?

Is your worship central to your identity and priority?

When you worship do you expect to be in the presence of the Holy Spirit?

David is a picture of Jesus Christ.  His reign was a picture of Jesus in the millennium.  David went through a time when he was rejected, persecuted and harassed.  In the time he was in exile he gathered men around him who became commanders and generals for when he became king of Israel.  He would come to establish his kingdom.  David identified with his people by becoming as one of them when he danced and worshiped just as Jesus identified when He came to us in human form.  David is also a picture of what happens in a Christian’s life when he gives it to God.  Christians are offered a kingdom just like David was offered a kingdom.  There are enemies that threaten us from all sides.  David was never able to totally get rid of his enemies – the Philistines, the Ammonites, the Jebusites, etc.  We as Christians are never able to totally get rid of our enemies.  Enemies like jealousy, envy, resentment, bitterness, lust, worry, etc.   All these enemies afflict us in our daily walk.  But the Holy Spirit is working in us to bring us to the place of reigning in our lives through Jesus.

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

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