Tough Guy With a Big Heart

2 Samuel 8 CSB

1 After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah (meh-theg-haw-am- maw) from Philistine control. 2 He also defeated the Moabites, and after making them lie down on the ground, he measured them off with a cord. He measured every two cord lengths of those to be put to death and one full length of those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his control at the Euphrates River. 4 David captured seventeen hundred horsemen and twenty thousand foot soldiers from him, and he hamstrung all the horses and kept a hundred chariots. 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand Aramean men. 6 Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.

At the conclusion of chapter 7, God reveals some phenomenal promises to David.

In chapter 8 the author begins presenting the fulfilment of those promises.

The Lord promised He would provide a safe haven for Israel, one in which wicked men would be unable to oppress them.

God is shown working through David to make that promise a reality.

Since the time of Samson - Israel’s most oppressive enemy had been the Philistines so it is fitting that the Lord leads David in a campaign against the Philistines .

David is said to have defeated and subdued them - subdued indicates they were not annihilated but were so soundly defeated they were not a problem for David nor are they portrayed again as presenting a serious threat to Israel in the OT.

He also took Metheg-ammah (meh-theg-haw-am-maw) which enlarged Israel’s presence in the Promised Land.

Next David also defeated the Moabites in keeping with a Torah prophecy Numbers 24:18 “18 Edom will become a possession; Seir will become a possession of its enemies, but Israel will be triumphant.”

David’s method of dealing with prisoners of war is different and we see no other comparison in scripture.

It would be consider controversial and universally condemned today and I’ m sure some had questions back then as well.

David had the prisoners lie down on the ground - he took a length of cord and counted it out three times and out of the three two were killed - it would be like lining everyone up to make teams, as you walk by you go team one, team two, team three, team one, team two, team three and so on… then everyone on teams one and two are killed.

While the tactic seems harsh compare it to what often happens - all of the prisoners could have been killed or sold off as slaves to foreign nations.

Many of David’s enemies were permitted to live and return to their families - David’s decision benefited Israel economically because the survivors could return to work the fields of Moab and produce grain and livestock - a portion of these would be sent annually to David’s court as “tribute”.

Next David goes after King Hadadezer - there is some question about the engagement but it most likely relates to a time when David led a military expedition to the Euphrates to fulfill another Torah promise - to extend Israel’s territorial claims to the Euphrates - Genesis 15:18 “18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I give this land to your offspring, from the Brook of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River:”

David soundly defeated King Hadadezer - he took 1700 horsemen, he hamstrung the horses - he took 20000 foot soldiers and 100 chariots thus reducing the military threat of perhaps the most formidable opponent in the region of Aram.

Why hamstring the horses? 1. The Torah prohibits Israelite kings from acquiring great numbers of horses Deuteronomy 17:16 “16 However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’” - 2. Most practically the Israelite kingdom was not equipped to maintain thousands of horses (no facilities or people to care for them) - 3. Chariots and thus chariot horses were useless for military purposes in much of Israel because of the terrain - it was a cost-versus-benefit decision.

Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer - they too experienced a crushing defeat - 22000 men were struck down.

After the defeat David placed army garrisons in the Aramean kingdom.

Bringing Damascus under Israelite control was of immense financial significance - first the city was the junction point for the Way of the Sea and the King’s Highway, the two major caravan routes connecting Asia with Africa - second, David was able to tap the reserves of wealth already in place within the region.

2 Samuel 8 CSB

7 David took the gold shields of Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 King David also took huge quantities of bronze from Betah and Berothai, Hadadezer’s cities. 9 When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, 10 he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Toi and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Joram had items of silver, gold, and bronze with him. 11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued—12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Amalekites, and the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

David took gold and large quantities of bronze during his military campaign - these were most likely given as tribute to God.

There is something about commanding victory that leads others to be nice to the new king - think about America’s peace through strength policy - the idea is that knowing you will suffer great losses will prevent you from trying to start something to begin with.

King Toi sent his son Joram to make nice with David.

All the spoils of war were dedicated to God because it was God who provided the victory…

2 Samuel 8 CSB

13 David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley. 14 He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went. 15 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian; 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was court secretary; 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials.

Another military battle against the Edomites which David won.

The kingdom of Israel was expanding - David left troops in various places.

The writer states that David was victorious everywhere he went and he did so with justice and righteousness - primary attributes of the Lord’s character.

David demonstrated his competency in administering justice and righteousness by appointing competent leaders - his nephew Joab ran the military - Jehoshaphat was the court recorder or historian - Zadok and Ahimelech served as priests.

2 Samuel 9 CSB

1 David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 There was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied. 3 So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.” 4 The king asked him, “Where is he?” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” 5 So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar.

David is not established on the throne of Israel and both internal and external opposition has been put down.

David not turns to his commitment to “the house of Saul”

Ziba a former servant in Saul’s household was called - apparently Ziba managed the former kings royal estate.

David was told of Jonathan’s son who was living a the house of Machir who later proved to be one of David’s most loyal supporters.

David had Jonathan’s son brought to him in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 9 CSB

6 Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, fell facedown, and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “I am your servant,” he replied. 7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” 8 Mephibosheth paid homage and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Saul’s attendant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master’s grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. All those living in Ziba’s house were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king’s table. His feet had been injured.

Mephibosheth came before David and fell down before the king to pay him honor.

The initial exchange between David and Mephibosheth is reflective of an interchange between a social superior and an inferior - David calls his name (we see Jesus so thing on several occasions), Mephibosheth’s reply, “I am you servant”.

Now that sociological parameters of this relationship are set David issues a magnanimous decree that will change Mephibosheth’s fortunes forever.

He let’s him know the actions he is taking is due to the relationship David had with his father Jonathan.

First, David will restore all the land that belonged to Saul - this would have been the family estate located about 3 miles north of Jerusalem.

Second, Mephibosheth would be given the privilege of eating at the kings table (always) .

Third, David provided a large group of servants and material wealth to Mephibosheth.

Mephibosheth responded with abject humility

Ziba was commanded to serve Mephibosheth himself and his entire family with him - Ziba did not have a choice in the matter so he graciously agrees - we will see later he tries to manipulate David into issuing a different, more favorable edict.

Mephibosheth was brought to the kings house along with his family - a son named Mica is mentioned and one would assume a wife as well.

Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem instead of Saul’s estate most likely because of the effort needed to move around and because he ate the king’s table every day.