Day 111 – 2 Samuel 8:1-14
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 8:1-14
"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."
(2 Samuel 8:1)
David smites the Philistines and subdues them. The same people who had mocked Israel through Goliath, pressed Saul, and troubled the land for years. Now the LORD gives David the victory over them. "Methegammah" appears to refer to a chief place, stronghold, or controlling position held by the Philistines. The main point is that David took something important out of their hand. They no longer hold the same grip over Israel.
"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."
(2 Samuel 8:2)
David smites Moab, and this verse is severe. The Moabites are made to lie down and are measured with a line. "Two lines" are put to death, and "one full line" is kept alive. This means roughly two-thirds were judged with death and one-third were spared. If there had been 300 captives, the picture would be about 200 put to death and 100 kept alive. The kingdom is being established through judgment on enemies.
"David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates."
(2 Samuel 8:3)
David also smites Hadadezer, king of Zobah. Hadadezer is moving in connection with the river Euphrates, a major boundary and power region. This means David's victories are reaching far beyond his immediate neighborhood. This conquest extended David's dominance toward the Euphrates and connects it with the land promise given to Abraham.
"And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots."
(2 Samuel 8:4)
The numbers show the size of the victory. David takes 1,000 chariots, 700 horsemen, and 20,000 footmen. The 20,000 footmen alone would be like the population of a small modern city gathered as infantry. This was not David beating a handful of raiders. This was a serious army brought low. David "houghed" the chariot horses, meaning he disabled them for war, but kept enough for 100 chariots. Keeping only enough for 100 chariots showed self-control and trust in God rather than military machinery.
"But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses..." (Deuteronomy 17:16)
"And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men."
(2 Samuel 8:5)
The Syrians of Damascus come to help Hadadezer, but they fall too. David slays two and twenty thousand men, which means 22,000 men. Hadadezer receives help, but help against the LORD's anointed cannot stand when the LORD is preserving David.
"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."
(2 Samuel 8:6)
David puts a stationed military force in Syria of Damascus. He is establishing control by placing troops there to hold the territory. The Syrians become servants and bring gifts, meaning they become subject to David and pay tribute. But the real center of the verse is this, "And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went."
"And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem."
(2 Samuel 8:7)
David takes trophies of enemy glory. Gold shields were not poor men's shields. They spoke of royal splendor, military pride, and the wealth of Hadadezer's servants. David took what had been the glory of the enemy and turned it into testimony of God's power and goodness.
"And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass."
(2 Samuel 8:8)
David also takes "exceeding much brass" from Betah and Berothai. There is no exact number given here, but the phrase means a very large amount. The victories were not only about battle; they were also about provision.
"When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,"
(2 Samuel 8:9)
David's victory is now news among the nations. Hadadezer's defeat is so complete that other kings take notice. This is what happens when the LORD preserves His servant. The testimony travels. David does not have to advertise himself. The victories speak. The LORD is making David's name great, just as He promised in 2 Samuel 7.
"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 Samuel 8:10)
Toi sends Joram his son to salute and bless David. He also sends vessels of silver, gold, and brass. This is a diplomatic visit with expensive tribute. Toi is recognizing David's strength and expressing gratitude because David defeated Hadadezer, who had also been Toi's enemy. This is a king sending honor because David's victory helped him too. One man's obedience can bring relief to others who were also oppressed by the enemy.
"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 Samuel 8:11)
David dedicates the silver, gold, and brass to the LORD. This verse shows David's heart. The nations bring wealth, but David turns it Godward.
"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."
(2 Samuel 8:12)
The victory list is large. Syria, Moab, Ammon, Philistines, Amalek, and Hadadezer of Zobah. These are many enemies, from every direction around Israel. North, east, west, and south, the LORD is preserving David and expanding the kingdom.
"And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men."
(2 Samuel 8:13)
David "gat him a name." The LORD had promised in 2 Samuel 7:9, "I...have made thee a great name." Now that promise continues to show itself. David's name becomes known through the victories the LORD gives. The number here is 18,000 men.
"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."
(2 Samuel 8:14)
David again puts stationed forces to hold what had been conquered. Edom becomes David's servants. Then the phrase is repeated, "And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went."
That is the theme I see here in scripture. David smote, David took, David put garrisons, David dedicated, David got a name; but the LORD preserved him. The repeated phrase keeps the glory in the right place. David's victory over Goliath says David knew the battle was the LORD's and that his victories flowed from God's power, not his own strength. That same truth stands over 2 Samuel 8. David is older now, crowned now, and commanding armies now, but the secret has not changed.
A heart after God may fight many battles, but it knows who preserves it in every place.