The known world of enemies who opposed the nation of Israel from the beginning of entering the “Promised Land” given to them by God has now been subdued.  It was God who raised up a shepherd boy to be a warrior king over His people. It was God who gave told David what to do and when to do it. Because of David’s faith in God; “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.”

These defeated nations, especially the evil Philistines, had been constant military and religious threat to Israel. By defeating the enemies of Israel; David’s kingdom flourished. Under his leadership, Israel grew to ten times its original size. David was in a “sweet spot” doing the will of God.  He knew no defeat on the battlefield nor insurrection in his court.

Israel was finally at peace. The people were grateful to David. They were in awe of his accomplishments as a military leader as well as King who knew, loved, and served God.  David consistently gave praise to God who provided the victory. But, now what? How will David, a man after God’s own heart, but still a human, handle the notoriety of all these victories provided by God?  How will he handle the great wealth he has acquired from defeating his enemies who were the enemies of God? 

Every leader whom God has raised up to lead his people is tempted by the Enemy to shift their thinking from giving praise to God to seeking self-glorification through the praises of adoring people.  In fact most times it is in times of peace that we fall to thinking we are the reason for victory as we rest on the adorations of those around us. We begin to think all praises are due to us, thinking we provided the peace. We cross the line when we think nothing can bring us down or take us out. Because suddenly, without warning, we fall to thinking we can do nothing wrong. The grand idea comes to us that we truly “can have it all, when we want it, because we deserve it.” Sound familiar?

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” in all kinds of ways at one time or another when we believe that we, ourselves, are the reason for success and victory. (Romans 3:23) What Paul wrote to the church reminds us that all humans have committed sin and therefore cannot achieve perfect righteousness or God’s standard of holiness on their own. God knew humans are not perfect so God made a Way for us to be perfectly forgiven and redeemed from our folly of sin. God did for us that we cannot do for ourselves—remove sin. We cannot earn or purchased redemption for our sins on our own by our own efforts.  Only Jesus, the Perfect One without sin, could sacrificially stand in our place of punishment and fully absorb our debt of sin so that we can be made clean and holy before God. 

Let us learn from David…while giving praise to God!

2 Samuel 8

David’s Victories

In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

² David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

³ Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at the Euphrates River. ⁴ David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

⁵ When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. ⁶ He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

⁷ David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸ From Tebah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

⁹ When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, ¹⁰ he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

¹¹ King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: ¹² Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

¹³ And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

¹⁴ He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David’s Officials

¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. ¹⁶ Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; ¹⁷ Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; ¹⁸ Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Lord had promised Israel the land from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates River (See the references, Genesis 15:17–21; Deuteronomy 1:6–8; 11:24; 1 Kings 4:20, 21). God used David to help fulfill the promise. Israel had lost territory to her enemies during the reign of King Saul, and David recaptured it. But he also expanded Israel’s borders and acquired land that hadn’t been conquered in Joshua’s day (Joshua 13:1–7). A man of faith, David believed God’s promises and acted upon them for the blessing of his people.

When God gives us the victory over all that sin has taken from us in the past; how do we respond?  Prayerfully and carefully recall what God did to set us free and thank Him!  Ask God what He wants to do in and through us that will help others know Him and be set free!  God gives victory over sin to all who believe!  (Romans 12 will help us know what practical steps to take!)

Winning battles is one thing, and managing the affairs of the growing nation is quite another; and here David proved himself capable. He ruled with justice and righteousness and served all the people. David also demonstrated his capabilities in appointing wise and skilled advisors and subordinates to help him. God loves righteousness and justice and requires us to follow suit as believers.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

David indeed was a man after God’s own heart.  Are we—in all we think, say, and do?

God’s victories through his servant David also meant peace and safety for the people of Israel so they could live normal lives and not be constantly threatened by their neighbors. Israel had a great work to perform on earth in bearing witness to the true and living God and bringing the written Scriptures of the Messiah who comes into the world. Furthermore, the plunder filled the treasury of the Lord so that the materials were for David’s son, Solomon to later build the temple of God!

We, as God’s church, believers in Jesus, do not use military weapons to fight God’s battles; but fully lean on the direction and power of God’s Holy Spirit who lives in the temple of our hearts!  With the faith and courage of David, we are taught to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes,” (Ephesians 6).  This spiritual armor fits us for service in pointing the lost to Jesus within our families, among our friends, and anyone else who have fallen for the Enemy while avoiding the Enemy ourselves!  “Go and make disciples” is the command Jesus gave to us with all authority from God.  The command was delivered with a promise, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Believe, repent, and be saved for eternity.  Then go tell others!

Lord,

Thank for reminding us that our faith and resolve can be just as relentless as David’s and all the other imperfect people you called for your specific purpose. Thank you for who you are and all you do because of your great love for us.  Only you can fully cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and refresh our souls. Only you can make us holy and fit for your service.  Only you can restore the joy of your salvation at work within us; the joy that is eternal and never ceases to lift our faith and give us hope. Thank you for your peace and joy in all circumstances.  You are God and there is no one like you!  Thank you for being with us always as we love you and others with your love embedded in our hearts.

In Jesus Name, Amen