BIG IDEA:
VICTORY OVER KINGDOM ENEMIES
– WINS WAR TROPHIES THAT BRING GLORY TO GOD AND
– GAINS US A GOOD REPUTATION TO MINISTER WISELY AND MORE EFFECTIVELY
REVIEW:
Transition after the death of King Saul to David … How have the mighty fallen!
David not selfishly opportunistic – but waiting on God’s timetable
Initially just recognized as king by Judah in the south – hdqtrs at Hebron
Power struggle; civil war – difficult time for the nation
Ishbosheth under the military leadership of Abner king over Israel in North;
Abner tried to make a league with David; Joab and Abishai murder Abner;
Damage control by King David
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Chap 4 – Ishbosheth murdered
Righteous goals can only be attained through righteous means
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Chap 5 – David king over all Israel – victories over the Philistines
The blessing of God upon David
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Chap 6 – two aspects of worship – reverent obedience and joyful celebration
Problems in transporting the ark – Uzzah struck down by the Lord
Michal despising David for his dancing with the common folk
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Chap. 7 – Great Davidic Covenant – man of war and bloodshed –
not the one chosen tobuild the temple – but God will build a great name for David
The kingdom belongs to the line of David –
God had promised to make David a great name – happens in this chapter as David brings all of the well-known enemies into subjection to Israel
Established the boundaries of his empire; secured his kingdom
INTRODUCTION:
What are the kingdom enemies that threaten us today? How is the battle going in our camp? Where do we see the hand of God with us and blessing us? How do we glorify God when we are victorious? How do we leverage our position of spiritual security and protection to minister to others and be an agent for justice and righteousness? Is our kingdom characterized by a wise administration under orderly and skillful leadership?
The key to victory over our enemies and wise administration is the blessing of the Lord. The refrain repeated twice in this chapter tells the story:
“And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”
I. (:1-8) VICTORY OVER KINGDOM ENEMIES –
GOD BLESSES DAVID WITH A STRING OF IMPRESSIVE MILITARY VICTORIES TO SECURE THE KINGDOM
Geography Lesson – Genesis 15:18 – Don’t forget God’s Promise to Abraham
West v.1 Gath — Philistines
East v.2 Moab
North v.3-11 Zobah (NE of Damascus/ W of Euphrates) / Aramaens–Damascus
South v.13-14 Edom
A. (:1) Victory Over the Philistines and Strategic Control Over Chief City (Gath)
“Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them; and David took control of the chief city from the hand of the Philistines.”
Defeat those to the West of Jerusalem and a little south
Lange: David not only defeated them in a battle, but also subjected them to his authority.
B. (:2) Victory Over the Moabites and Strategic Execution of 2/3 of Soldiers
“And he defeated Moab, and measured them with the line, making them lie down on the ground; and he measured two lines to put to death and one full line to keep alive. And the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.”
Defeat those in the East – cross the Jordan
Treats them harshly
(Think back to counting off by three’s in gym class – quite a surprising glimpse into the harsh reality of kingdom warfare.)
1 Sam. 22:3 – previously had good relationships with the Moabites; what changed
Jewish tradition: King of Moab betrayed David’s trust and killed his parents??
Something has changed
Davis: The fact that David conducted a campaign against Moab indicates a change of attitude on his part concerning these people. He had previously enjoyed rather good relations with Moab as indicated by their willingness to provide asylum for David’s parents when he was a fugitive from Saul (cf. I Sam. 22:3-4). The reason for David’s change of attitude has been attributed to a deception on the part of the Moabites resulting in the death of David’s parents; however, this tradition cannot be verified.
C. (:3-4) Victory Over the Zobahites and King Hadadezer and Strategic (or Sinful??) Appropriation of Military Resources
“Then David defeated Hadadezer, the son of Rehob king of Zobah, as he went to restore his rule at the River. And David captured from him 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers; and David hamstrung the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.”
Defeated those in the North of Damascus
“Hadad (name of the Canaanite storm god) is my help”
1 Chron. 18:4 – 7,000 was more realistic number than 1700 – transposition of numbers
Ryrie: hamstrung – i.e., disabled them for military activity by cutting the back sinews of the hind legs.
In light of Deut 17 and Josh account – was this actually sinful on David’s part??
(I remember tearing my hamstring – quite painful and it never was quite the same)
Redpath: The purpose of this command [Deut. 17:15-16] was to keep the people of God from putting confidence in anything except in the Lord. Any misplaced confidence in their own weapons of warfare had to be completely destroyed. [Psalm 20:7; 33:16-17]
D. (:5-6a) Victory Over the Arameans of Damascus and Strategic Fortification
“And when the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadaezer, king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 Arameans. Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute.”
Defeat of those to North = Syrians with Damascus as capital = Arameans
E. (:6b) Key to Victory
“And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”
Home Depot slogan: “You can do it, we can help”
David sought Israel’s welfare in light of the kingdom of God
II. (:7-12) WAR TROPHIES THAT BRING GLORY TO GOD –
DAVID BRINGS THE PRECIOUS SPOILS OF WAR TO JERUSALEM AND DEDICATES THEM TO THE LORD
A. (:7-11a) Bringing the Precious Spoils of War to Jerusalem
1. (:7-8) Trophies from Zobah
a. (:7) Shields of Gold from Servants of King Hadadezer
“And David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.”
b. (:8) Large Amount of Bronze from Cities of Zobah
“And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze.”
2. (:9-10) Trophies from Hamath
a. (:9-10a) Appreciative Initiative of King Toi
“Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.”
Was this just feigned submission?
b. (:10b) Silver, Gold, and Bronze
“And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.”
B. (:11-12) Dedication of Trophies to the Lord
1. (:11a) Dedication of Trophies from Hamath
“King David also dedicated these to the Lord”
2. (:11b-12) Dedication of Trophies from Other Nations
“with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued; from Aram and Moab and the sons of Ammon and the Philistines and Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.”
David beginning to stockpile the materials for the temple which his son Solomon will build; David can’t build the temple himself but can stockpile the resources
Dedicate all to the Lord – what have we that we have not received from the Lord –
Not just fitting the Lord in to our busy schedules
Temple not built in David’s lifetime – he had long term perspective – not shortsighted
We don’t have to see in this life the fruit for what we suffer
David as a type of Christ – who reigned to the glory of God the Father
III. (:13-18) A GOOD REPUTATION TO MINISTER WISELY AND MORE EFFECTIVELY –
DAVID’S KINGDOM EXEMPLIFIES WISE ADMINISTRATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LORD
A. (:13) A Growing Reputation
“So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing 14,000
Arameans in the Valley of Salt.”
Defeated enemies in the South and East
Ryrie: Probably a copyist’s error and a reference to Edom rather than Aram (cf. 1 Chron. 18:12; Psalm 60, title).
Psalm 20 – Battle Hymn of the Kingdom of God – when the king goes out to battle
David writes Psalm 60 in this context
Expressing something of the troubles and trials in his struggles; God will be his resource and strength; not just an easy victory – it was a struggle – insight into more of the difficulty – at times it looked like they would be overwhelmed; turmoil; it seems at times like God has rejected us
B. (:14a) A Garrisoned Dominion
“And he put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David.”
Davis: David’s victory over the Edomites in the territory south of the Dead Sea was important because it gave David access to the very rich copper mines of the Arabah. Furthermore, it placed control of important trade routes from the gulf of Aqaba in David’s hands.
C. (:14b) Key to Victory – Refrain Repeated
“And the Lord helped David wherever he went.”
D. (:15) A Godly Government
“So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered justice and righteousness for all his people.”
E. (:16-18) A Gifted Bureaucracy – David’s Court Officials
1. Military Leader
“And Joab the son of Zerulah was over the army”
2. Recorder
“and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder.”
3. Priests
“And Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests”
4. Secretary
“and Seraiah was secretary.”
5. Body Guards
“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites”
Davis: (cf. 15:18; 20:7; 23; I Kings 1:38, 44; I Chron. 18:17) The Cherethites were many times associated with the Philistines and may have been part of that nation (I Sam. 30:14 cf. Ezek. 25:16; Zeph. 2:5)
6. Chief Ministers
“and David’s sons were chief ministers.”