The Exploits of King David

Introduction

Last week we celebrated Father’s Day, and as such we left our study in the book of 2 Samuel. Today we want to resume our study of the life of David.

Two weeks ago, we left David right after he brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem. We learned that his goal was to make Jerusalem the political center of Israel, as well as the religious center of Israel.

You might remember that Jerusalem has been controlled by the Jebusites, and had not been a part of Israel. You may also remember that it was often referred to as Zion, and then when David captured the city, it was called, Jerusalem—literally, the possession of peace.

You might also remember that bringing the Ark to Jerusalem did not originally go as David planned. But he did bring the Ark to Jerusalem.

Now, David wants to build a permanent house for Yahweh. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to 2 Samuel 7 and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

The Current Condition of Israel

2 Samuel 7:1 NIV

After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him,

David was finally settled in his palace.

The Lord (Yahweh) gave Israel rest from fighting the enemies of Israel.

David’s Hearts Desire

2 Samuel 7:2 NIV

he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

David tells the prophet Nathan, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar” a permanent structure, compared to where the ark of God dwells— “while the ark of God remains in a tent” a non-permanent, portable structure.

The idea here, is that David doesn’t think that is right—him in a permanent structure, and God in a temporary structure.

Nathan’s Response

2 Samuel 7:3 NIV

Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

Nathan tells David to do whatever he has in mind.

Because the Lord is with David.

God’s Response

2 Samuel 7:4 NIV

But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:

There’s a big “BUT.” Yahweh comes and talks to Nathan.

Questions for David

2 Samuel 7:5–7 NIV

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” ’

A rhetorical question and a series of statements.

Question—Do you really think you are the one to build a house for me to live in?—Answer, “No!”

Statement—I have not lived in a “house” since the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.

Statement—I have been moving place to place with my tent as my house.

Question—Did I ever ask any of Israel’s shepherds (their leaders) to build me a house of cedar?—Answer, “No.”

Remind David From Where He Comes

2 Samuel 7:8–9 NIV

“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.

I took you out of the pasture tending the sheep.

I appointed you ruler over God’s people Israel.

I have been with you every place you have gone.

I have cut off your enemies from before you.

I will make your name great—like the greatest men on earth.

2 Samuel 7:10–11 NIV

And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. “ ‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you:

I will provide a a place for my people—Israel.

I will plant them so that they can have their own home.

I will plant them so they will no longer be disturbed.

I will keep wicked people from oppressing them any longer.

I will give them rest from their enemies.

And now I, Yahweh declares to you that I will establish a house for you (David).

2 Samuel 7:12–16 NIV

When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’ ”

When you die, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you.

This person will be your own flesh and blood.

I will also establish his kingdom.

He is the one who will build a house for my name!

And I will establish his throne forever.

I will be his “father” and he will be my “son.”

When he messes up, I will punish him.

My punishment will come from men.

But my love will never be taken away from him (like I did from Saul.

I will establish your house, and your kingdom forever.

And I will establish your throne forever.

2 Samuel 7:17 NIV

Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

David’s Prayer

You might expect David to be upset by this news. But we need to take a few minutes and look at his prayer—which is really his response.

2 Samuel 7:18–21 NIV

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human! “What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

David Sat Before the Lord

David went in before Yahweh, and stayed there in his presence. Then he spoke to God.

David Gave Thanks for God’s Present Favor (18-21)

Who am I? (Answer—No One!)

Who is my family? (Answer—Nothing special!)

Why have you brought me this far? (Answer—Because God. . .)

If all that God had done for David this far, wasn’t enough God spoke about the future.

God also spoke about the future of David’s house.

David says it is too great—too much!

David is dumbfounded by all that the Lord has said.

God does these things because of His word.

God does these things according to His will.

And David is amazed that God told David about it.

David Praises God for God’s Past Favor (22-24)

2 Samuel 7:22–24 NIV

“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God.

David acknowledges God’s greatness.

David acknowledges God’s uniqueness

David acknowledges the greatness of God’s people!

David acknowledges the reason for Israel’s greatness—because God made them His people.

God made them His people to make His name great.

God preformed great and awesome wonders for His people.

—Driving out nations and their gods before Israel.

—Redeeming them from Egypt.

—Establishing Israel forever.

—Making Yahweh their God!

David’s Petition for God’s Future Fulfillment of His Promises (25-29)

2 Samuel 7:25–29 NIV

“And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight. “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Asking God to keep His promise forever!

—Promises about David.

—Promises about David’s house.

—Promises that will make Yahweh’s name great!

—All so the people will say “The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!”

A Recap of God’s Promises!

—God promised to build David’s House.

David finds courage in God’s promises to come before God.

David acknowledges Yahweh is God!

David acknowledges God’s covenant is trustworthy.

David acknowledges that God promised good things for him.

David asks God to pleased to bless:

—David’s house.

—Allow him to continue in God’s favor.

David acknowledges that God is sovereign.

David acknowledges that God promised blessing.

And that God’s blessing will last forever!

David’s Exploits!

When you come to chapter 8, we have a record of David’s accomplishments.

2 Samuel 8:1 NIV

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

David Conquers Philistines

Defeated Philistines

Took the city of Metheg Ammah

David Defeats Moabites

2 Samuel 8:2 NIV

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.

David defeated the Moabites

—David laid them down on the ground.

—He measured them off with a length of cord.

—Every two lengths of them were put to death.

—Every third length was allowed to live.

The Moabites were “subject” to David.

The Moabites brought him tribute.

David Defeats Hadadezer

2 Samuel 8:3–4 NIV

Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at the Euphrates River. 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.

David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. His name means Hada helps

The defeat came when David went to reestablish his authority (monument) over the Euphrates River.

David captured 1,000 chariots.

David captured 7,000 charioteers.

David captured 20,000 foot soldiers.

David hamstrung all but 100 chariot horses—that made them useless.

Damascus Comes to Help Hadadezer

2 Samuel 8:5–6 NIV

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 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.

The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer.

But David killed 22,000 of them.

Then David put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus.

The Arameans become subject to David.

And the Arameans brought David tribute.

Yahweh gave David victory wherever he went!

David Brings the Spoils to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 8:7–8 NIV

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

David collected the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

David collected a great quantity of bronze from Tebah and Berothai.

Others Pay Their Respect to David

2 Samuel 8:9–10 NIV

When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 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.

Tou the king of Hamath sends his son, Joram to congratulate David on his victory over Hadadezer.

—Tou had been at war with Hadadezer.

Joram brought articles of silver, gold, and bronze to David.

2 Samuel 8:11–12 NIV

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

David dedicated this silver, gold and bronze to the Lord.

In fact, David dedicated all the silver and gold from all the nations he subdued:

—Edom

—Moab

—The Ammonites

—The Philistines

—Amalak

—And Hadadezer

David’s Fame

2 Samuel 8:13 NIV

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

David’s fame took off when conquered 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salts!

2 Samuel 8:14 NIV

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

David put garrisons throughout Edom.

The Edomites became subject to David.

Yahweh gave David victory wherever he went!

David’s Officials

2 Samuel 8:15–18 NIV

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

Joab was over the army

Jehosaphat was the recorder

Zadok and Ahimelek were priests

Seraiah was the secretary

Benaiah was over the Kerethites and Pelethites

And David’s sons served as priests.

So What?

KEY 1—The key for us is that the Lord blessed David wherever he went! The Lord gave David victory in his military exploits. Are you experiencing the blessings of God?

Key 2—When David wants to build the temple for God, and God says, “NO!” David went to get along with God, and spent time before Him. Are you spending time with God even when you are not getting the answers that you want?

Key 3—David’s response; David praises the Lord for what God had done, was doing, and was going to do! Do you praise God even when you don’t understand the why’s? Do you praise God for has done? Do you praise God for what He is doing? And, do you praise God for what He will do?

Key 4—David acknowledges that he is NOTHING without God working in his life! Do you know, and accept that you are NOTHING without God in your life?