Battles and Blessings

2 Sam 8-10

After a time of worship in response to the amazing covenant God made with him, David continues to fight against the enemies of Israel. But in the midst of all the battles, David takes the time to be a blessing to someone.

CHAPTER 8

vv. 1-8

David smote the Philistines, and subdued them.

And he smote Moab….and so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

David smote also Hadadezer...and David took from him a thousand chariots.

David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men….and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts.

But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, BECAUSE THOU HAST SHED MUCH BLOOD UPON THE EARTH IN MY SIGHT (1 Chron. 22:8).

The unpleasant topic of war.

The necessity to conquer enemies.

vv. 9-14

Surrounding nations heard of David’s victories.

Some began to send gifts to seek peace.

And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians

And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went

vv. 15-18

And David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgement and justice unto all his people

Strong leadership.

David hired the Cherethites and Pelethites to be an elite group of foreign soldiers of Philistine descent.

CHAPTER 9

vv. 1-5

David remembered his best friend Jonathan from many years ago.

David discovers a surviving son of Jonathan who was lame on his feet.

We learned earlier that he was dropped as a boy when the house of Saul was under attack.

vv. 6-13

Mephibosheth was humble.

He realized how undeserving he was.

David took this lame man into his care.

He shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

He did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet

This blessing did not heal his physical condition.

This is a picture of grace….sufficient grace.

We also get to eat at the king’s table when we open the Word of God!

CHAPTER 10

vv. 1-4

Horrible response to the genuine kindness of David.

vv. 5-14

The mighty men of David were ready for battle!

They had a good plan in place to help each other.

vv. 15-19

Another large victory for David.

They made peace with Israel, and served them.

So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

Lasting results!

These battles were not meaningless.

They resulted in lasting peace.

We don’t fight with swords.

But we are in spiritual warfare.

We have to use spiritual weapons to experience victory.

The enemy desires to oppress and possess.

But we are to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).

Fight the good fight of faith…...I have fought a good fight.

Ye endured a great fight of afflictions (Heb. 10:32).

Let’s fight that good fight too.

Let’s contend in an honorable way.

Let’s be good soldiers of Jesus Christ!