Destroying Strongholds
2 Sam 8:1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.
David subdues the Philistines who were always a threat to Israel. He took territory as well. Methegammah may have been another name for Gath. There was no more tribute paid to the Philistines. Tribute is money paid to keep the enemy away. Like the devil torments, so did these enemy nations. David with God's promise of blessings is no longer afraid of the enemy. We should not fear satan, we have God's word to take his threat away from us. Jesus has defeated him and we are in Jesus, if we are saved from our sins.
1 Chr 18:1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2 Sam 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
David had the Moabites separated, one line was to be killed, the others were spared and were to pay tribute to Israel. Why was David so harsh on the Moabites? His great grandmother, Ruth was from the Moabites, but became a Jew.
Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
David had entrusted his parents and his family to the Moabites when Saul turned against him. Some have thought that perhaps the Moabites had destroyed David's family and he was taking vengeance upon them. We do not know, it is human nature to build a story on what might have occurred. We are not to treat this "guessing" as God's word. David was harsh to this nation, for reasons we do not know.
Conqueror
2 Sam 8:3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.
"The border of Israel was carried to the line of the Euphrates, so that promise made by God to Abraham was fulfilled: 'Unto thy seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.' " (Meyer)
This verse is new to me, a new revelation. I had always been taught that Israel had not yet inhabited the promised land in completion, according to the covenant given through Abraham.
Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
2 Sam 8:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.
Then there was Syria, the great heathen nation to the north, divided into two groups with capitals at Zobah and Damascus. They united together for protection but found themselves helpless against the might of David." (Redpath)
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
David hocked or hamstrung the horses, cutting the tendons so they were not able to walk. The horses were used in battle, David was taking away Syria's weapons of mass destruction. He took only one hundred chariots from one thousand, as well as prisoners.
Joshua was commanded by God to do a similar thing when defeating the enemy nations.
Josh 11:6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hock their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
2 Sam 8:5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2 Sam 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
David defeated all of Syria and placed strongholds within their land. They were his servants and brought him tribute. And the Lord gave David victories, keeping him from defeat, wherever he went. We as the Lord's people have His favor and protection, as well.
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
2 Sam 8:7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
The word for shields could be translated ornaments, the things these soldiers wore into battle to show their glory as the best troops of Syria, the honor guard. Perhaps medals of gold honoring their service, bracelets, chains. Quivers, the place to hold their arrows may have been of gold. These would go into the treasury and be used later to build the temple.
2 Sam 8:8 And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.
The brass also would be used later within the temple.
Preserved
2 Sam 8:9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,
2 Sam 8:10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:
2 Sam 8:11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;
2 Sam 8:12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
Hamath was in the North of Syria. The King sent his son to thank David and to send him gifts. David had defeated Hadezer who was an enemy to the kingdom of Hamath. Everyone knew that God had his hand on David, as they knew that God was with Israel when they first came to Canaan.
Josh 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.
Josh 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Not all people are enemies of God. Some look to God's people with respect, knowing the power of God is with them. This should be how we are viewed. We have the presence and power of God with us. People want to see his glory. Do we allow God to be glorified in our lives? Do we walk in faith believing in his promises? Or do we act like the world? The King's son came to bring gifts, vessels of gold, silver and brass. These would be made into vessels in the house of God.
2 Sam 8:13 And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.
2 Sam 8:14 And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
David conquered more land for Israel than ever before or after. This was the time for Israel to receive the promised land. God was with him wherever he went and the Lord kept him safe with many blessings. He was bold because the LORD was with him and he trusted the LORD. He fought with God's blessings because he loved the LORD and His people.
Judgment and Justice
2 Sam 8:15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
Judgment was knowing right from wrong, he was judge of his people with justice, he had righteous judgment in his land.
Jesus knew the spirit of the law was also necessary.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Our country was founded on freedom and justice. "One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all." This is part of our pledge of allegiance to our country. Without God and judgment there is no justice. Judgment is based on the principles and truth found in God's law, the ten commandments being the basis for all law. (Exodus 20)
2 Sam 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
Joab was the chief of the armies, the same Joab that David placed a curse on and his family, for killing Abner to avenge his brother. God had used this cursed general to deliver Israel from her enemies. (2 Sam 3:29)
Ahilud was the recorder.
The "recorder" was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, "such as complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew up papers for the king's guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the national archives or records...(Easton's Bible Dictionary)
2 Sam 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
Ahitub was the son of Ahimelech, the priest that fed David showbread in time of need. Apparently he and his son had escaped the slaughter of the priests that Saul had ordered after Doeg had accused them of hiding David. (Psalm 52:1-3)
2 Sam 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
The Cherehites and Pelehites were troops from other countries.
"By employing foreign guards to ensure the safety of the king David would minimize the possibility of becoming the victim of inter-tribal rivalries; these men from Crete could give whole-hearted allegiance to him." (Baldwin)
As the custom was, David made his son's chief rulers. David was an organizer, giving responsibilities to many people. This made his kingdom run efficiently.
Living Water
John 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
John 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
John 7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
They did not want the people to believe in Jesus. They sent for the police to capture Jesus so they could kill him.
John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
John 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
He will return in spirit form to the Father. No flesh can go the Father. Talking to the Jewish leaders, he said "ye cannot come." Why are you wanting to get rid of me? Soon enough I will be gone, then you will seek me and I will not be found.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
John 7:36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
He had already been to the Gentiles in John chapter four and he was received by them. He began with the woman at the well.
John 4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
John 4:30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
John 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
John 4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
John 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
In the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, a drink offering was poured out, to remind the Jews of the water that was poured out from the rock in the wilderness. Jesus was that offering. If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Jesus was to be poured out for us as he suffered on the cross. He is the satisfaction of our thirsty souls.
Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
This speaks of the crucifixion of Jesus, the man in the flesh. He was our offering to God for sins. Later he would pour out His Holy Spirit.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
He speaks of the same living water that was offered to the Samaritan woman.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 7:40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
Because he spoke God's words.
John 7:41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
Imperfect knowledge is a danger, especially if it keeps others from receiving the whole truth. We must give the whole story and let God's word build faith and bring salvation.
John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
Some knew Jesus as the Messiah, but those who had doubts questioned his birthplace. They did not know that he was born in Bethlehem, as the prophet had predicted, they assumed that he was born in Nazareth. Assumptions can get us into trouble. The mind wishes to complete the story of what is not known. I would caution all to live by faith in God's word and allow him to show you His truth. The unknown will be known if we act upon our faith.
Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
Micah 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
This prophecy spoke of his birth...his travail and his kingdom glory.
John 7:44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
No man could lay hands on him before the time.
John 7:45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
John 7:46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
Others had agreed with the officers, he spoke with authority.
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
John 7:47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
John 7:48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
John 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
The law curses too. Thank God for the grace that is in Jesus through faith. Paul speaks of faith and the law.
Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
No one could keep the laws. They were arrogant and filled with pride. James speaks of love as the fulfillment of the law.
James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Only in secret would a Pharisee speak to Jesus, for they would lose their positions of prominence if they did. They feared peoples opinions.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 7:50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
John 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
They broke all their laws in their eagerness to kill their Messiah, they did not believe him or wish to follow him.
John 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
They did not have the truth, nor did they seek the truth. They were envious of Jesus and had plotted to kill him.
John 7:53 And every man went unto his own house.
Each went home to the security of their homes, having a desire to destroy the one who was sent to save them. Jesus had no home to go to.
Mat 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
The rulers thought that there way was better than what Jesus offered. They wished to get him out of the way, so they could be in charge. We must not have this attitude. We must allow Jesus to live in us and through us.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
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