II Samuel 8:1-18 – The Reign of David
The Living Word With Chuck Davis
II Samuel 8:1-18 – The Reign of David
(soft music) - Welcome to The Living Word with Chuck Davis. (soft music) - Second Samuel, eight, one to 18, the reign of David. After this, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them and took methag, Amah, out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab, and he measured them in 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 Boabites became servants to David and brought tribute. David also defeated Hederezer, the son of Rojo, king of Zobai, as he went to restore his power at the River Euphrates. David took from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for a hundred chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hederezer, king of Jobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. And David put garrisons in a ram 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 Hederezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Betta and Brothi, cities of Hederezer, King David took very much bronze. When King Toy of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hederezer, Toy sent his son Joram to King David to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hederezer and defeated him. For Hederezer had often been at war with Toy. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and the bronze. These also King David dedicated to the Lord together with the silver and the gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued. From Edom, Moab, and the Adamites, the Philistines, Amalk. And from the spoil of Hederezer, the son of Rojo, King of Zobah. And David made an aim 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 servants. And the Lord gave victory today, but wherever he went. So David reigned over all Israel and David administered justice and equity to all of his people. Joab, the son of Jeriah, was over the army and Jehassafat, the son of Ahildah, was the recorder. And Zarakh, the son of Atub, and Ahimalak, the son of Abathar, were priests. And Serai was secretary. And Benai, the son of Jehoidah, was over the Charathites and the Pelathites. And David's sons were priests. Wow, lots of nations, lots of conquering. This is the parallel to chapter five, 17 to 25 that we noticed previously, David's two battles against the Philistines. This is past work, it's a done deal. It's not going to be mentioned again. We're not gonna hear Philistines for 10 chapters. This is a declaration of a fulfillment that was declared in 1 Samuel 8.20 of David that there would be an anointed king who would, quote, "go out before us and fight our battles." The report is impressive in the territory and the wealth that David is collecting, but there's an interesting phrase in it. Remember, biblical times, these were big man societies. And the text says, "David made a name for himself." I don't think David would agree with those words. David didn't make a name for himself. He's already given praise to God. God had given a name, made a name for himself. Or is the text suggesting a shift that's starting to happen in David's life? Are the headlines starting to get into his heart? Is he being set up for a temptation that is beyond what he'd ever expected before them? What we do know is that David reigns. He's part of a family and a kinship network that is so organized, far more organized than anything we saw of Saul's rulership. It shows that David is a wise leader. He's learned principles of leadership and he's exercising them with God's divine favor over him. The sober of this passage is that reminder there's a delicate balance between human initiative and divine blessing. It is all by the hands of God, but then we need to steward. We work with the stuff that God gives us. And so there's nothing wrong with using good wisdom and leadership principles and thinking through what's before us. God puts that kind of wisdom in us through years of experience and opportunities that we have. But always remember, we do not make a name for ourselves. It's the Lord who makes a name for us. The now what of this is a reminder that it all is in God's hands. I've been doing these podcasts now for about 11 years, six years with Ari Kathman. We got started in the footsteps of Jesus. And for these past six years, I've been taking on different portions of scripture. My hope is to have the whole scripture, the whole Bible recorded by the time I'm 70. So I'm staying on this plan, going about different biblical portions as the Lord leads me. I'm gonna have to work on it, but I know that all of the success it counts upon the Lord of his hand being released in my life. Many of you who are listening to this, I would say all of you are leaders in some way. We have to at least self-lead and lead and use the influence that surround us. But many of you have roles of leadership. Keep that delicate balance, human initiative and divine blessing in favor. So Lord today, we wanna use the gifting and the skills and the nointine that you put within us. So we will steward those well, but at the end of the day, we will say it is you who has given us a good name. Let me pray this in Jesus name, amen.