17. the Book of 2Samuel—8:1-18

17. The Book of 2Samuel—8:1-18

“The King—Mighty and Merciful” Pt.1

(11/6/16)

As we come to 2Samuel chapters 8 & 9 we see two sides of King David’s personality presented.

In chapter eight we see David as a conqueror—someone who judges and destroys his enemies.

But then in chapter nine we see a softer side of David—a king who demonstrates great mercy and kindness to someone who doesn’t deserve it.

And just so you know where I’m going with this—David is a type of Christ, Who also judges and destroys His enemies while showing great mercy and kindness to those who don’t deserve it—but with whom He has made a covenant.

I. The King Mighty in Battle Against His Enemies

A. King David—ch.8

2Samuel chapter eight summarizes the victories that God gave David over his enemies all around him.

First of all, David and his army took on the Philistines that occupied the land that was west of Jerusalem and defeated them (v.1).

Next we see him defeat the Moabites to the east (v.2); and then he conquerors the Syrians to the north (v.3-13).

And finally, he fought against and defeated the Edomites to the south (v.13-14).

1. The Philistines—v.1

2 Samuel 8:1 (NKJV) 1 After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

‘Metheg Ammah’ is another name for the city of Gath (1Chron.18:1).

When Saul was king, the Philistines became stronger and stronger, conquering more and more territory from Israel.

Saul was a feckless king and as such the enemies of God’s people didn’t fear him.

That all changed when David became king—under his leadership God’s people began to take territory back from the enemy.

2. The Moabites—v.2

2 Samuel 8:2 (NKJV) 2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David's servants, and brought tribute.

The Jewish people were related to the Moabites—Moab was one of the sons of Lot, the nephew of Abraham.

But even more to the point—David himself was related to the people of Moab thru his great- grandmother Ruth who was a Moabitess (Ruth 4:13-22).

However, the Moabites were the perennial enemies of the Jewish people and so David, as an instrument of God’s judgment, killed two-thirds of their fighting men and put the rest of the Moabites under tribute (‘taxation’) to Israel.

3. The Syrians—v.3-12

2 Samuel 8:3 (NKJV) 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his territory at the River Euphrates.

Hadadezer was king of Zobah, a small mountainous Syrian kingdom north of Damascus, who were also called the Arameans.

“As he went to recover his territory” is literally “to turn his hand against,” or in other words ‘to establish his dominion’.

Apparently while Hadadezer was fighting a battle along the Euphrates River in the north—David invaded his kingdom from the south.

The Arameans were not strong enough to fight wars on two different fronts—so David defeated Hadadezer and verse four tells us that he took from him: one thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers.

Also, we read that David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots.

When the text says that “David hamstrung the chariot horses” it refers to a cutting of a tendon in the hoof or knee of the horse which makes it impossible for the animal to be used again in war.

David obeyed the principle of Deuteronomy 17:15–16 and absolutely refused to trust in horses as military weapons—his trust was in God instead as he wrote in the Psalms:

Psalm 20:7 (NKJV) 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 33:16-17 (NKJV) 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

2 Samuel 8:5-8 (NKJV) 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. The LORD preserved David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Also from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.

Alan Redpath— “Then there was Syria, the great heathen nation to the north, divided into two groups with capitals at Zobah and Damascus. They united together for protection but found themselves helpless against the might of David.”

2 Samuel 8:9-12 (NKJV) 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 then 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); and Joram brought with him articles of silver, articles of gold, and articles of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued-- 12 from Syria, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

Having seen the awesome power of Israel’s army and David’s remarkable military successes— Toi, king of the Aramean city-state of Hamath, decided to capitulate without a struggle and become a vassal of Israel.

In order to surrender to David, he sent his son Joram loaded down with precious articles of silver, gold and bronze.

One author— “Not every pagan nation surrounding Israel was hostile to Israel or their God, and David did not treat them as if they were hostile. We make a mistake if we treat every unbeliever as an openly hostile enemy of the LORD.”

All of these riches David added to many of the other spoils he had gained in previous military campaigns (2 Sam. 8:11–12)—all of these spoils he dedicated to the service of the LORD (1 Kings 7:51).

4. The Edomites—v.13-14

2 Samuel 8:13-14 (NKJV) 13 And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

There is an apparent discrepancy here in that we read here in 2Samuel 8 that David killed eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt—but 1 Chronicles 18:12 says that Abishai killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

One scholar said, “It is true that in some Hebrew manuscripts, as well as in the ancient LXX and Syriac versions, “Edomites” is also found here in 2 Samuel 8:13… The fact that David put garrisons throughout all Edom and made all the Edomites become his servants (v.14) probably is further support for the marginal reading “Edomites” in verse 13, and all manuscripts of the parallel passage in Chronicles.”

Apparently, during Israel’s campaign in the north, Judah must have come under attack by the Edomites in the south and so David dispatched Abishai (one of David’s commanding officers) with a detachment of troops to repel them.

During this battle David’s forces struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and as such he became famous throughout that whole area of the world.

“The LORD preserved David wherever he went” (v.14)

This is the summary of this whole chapter—every victory won and every enemy subdued was a testimony to the LORD’s preserving power in the life and reign of David.

2 Samuel 8:15-18 (NKJV) 15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the scribe; 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers.

And so David went down in history as Israel’s greatest military king—the mighty king who won every battle, conquered every enemy and brought peace throughout his kingdom.

There would be none like him until a future King would someday come Who the Bible calls the “Son of David” (Messianic title)—of course we know Him as King Jesus!

B. King Jesus

The prophecies of the O.T. say He would come in peace as a King of Peace (First Coming)—

Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV) 9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. (Comment)

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

However, even though this King would come in peace, offering a kingdom of peace—He would be rejected and hated—

Isaiah 53:3 (NKJV) 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

We know that the Lord Jesus Christ was eventually crucified, buried, on the third day rose from the dead, and ascended back to His Father.

And yet He promised His disciples that He would come back someday (Matt.24:29-30)—but this time He would come as a conquering King, in vengeance, to make war with His enemies—

Psalm 96:13 (NKJV) 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.

Jeremiah 23:5 (NKJV) 5 "Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

Isaiah 11:4 (NKJV) 4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Revelation 19:11, 15-21 (NKJV) 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war… 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

 Rev.20:11-15

Many people today have a problem believing in a God Who judges and destroys those who are rebels—those who are at war with Him because they refuse to bow the knee in submission to His authority over their lives.

The Bible is clear that judgment awaits the wicked, and the second coming of Christ is the occasion for a worldwide judgment unparalleled in Scripture since the time of Noah’s flood.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 (NKJV) 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

Matthew 25:46 (NKJV) “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

The word for ‘everlasting’ punishment; and ‘eternal’ life—are the same word in the Greek.

Jesus is telling us that even as heaven is eternal—so is hell!

And yet when asked 76% of people in America said they believe in heaven—but only 6% said they believe in hell.

In fact, in a recent survey taken among professing Christians—only 40% of them said they believe in a literal place called hell where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.

And since less and less people say they believe in hell (and preaching about hell makes them uncomfortable or even angry)—therefore less and less pastors are preaching on hell anymore today.

This is mostly due to the fact that, in an attempt to fill seats in the sanctuary by keeping things positive, pastors today have almost exclusively focused on the love of God while neglecting the righteousness and justice of God.

The result is that almost everyone today views God as a benevolent, grey haired, grandfatherly old gentleman who is too kind and loving to ever send anyone to such a horrible place like hell.

Consequently, we now live in a society where there is no fear of God—in other words no fear of coming judgment, no fear that people will have to stand before God someday and give an account for the way they lived their lives on the earth.

Solomon said in the book of Proverbs that when people have no fear of the Lord they don’t hate evil; and when people don’t hate evil the result is lawlessness—a blatant disrespect and disregard for the laws of God.

And when people live lawless lives they will be judged someday.

And Jesus is telling us in Matt.25:46, and in many other places that, even as there is an eternal place of blessing for the righteous called heaven—there is also an eternal place of torment for the unrighteous called hell.

And while it’s true that the God of the Bible is a loving, merciful and gracious God who doesn’t want to send anyone to hell—even as God said thru the prophet Ezekiel,

“Turn, please turn from your sin for why will you die? I get no pleasure out of the death of the wicked”.

This was then repeated in the New Testament—

1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV) 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

And so while it’s true that God is a loving, merciful and gracious God who doesn’t want to send anyone to hell—God has to punish sin or else He would no longer be the righteous Judge of the whole earth (Genesis 18:25).

The problem today is that we have become so jaded by all the immorality and godlessness going on around us that sin is really no big deal anymore and because of it (and here is where most people make a fatal mistake)—they don’t think it’s a big deal to God anymore either.

Okay, maybe murder and rape—but certainly not lying, coveting, fornication or adultery.

Just understand this—that nobody goes to hell by chance; they go to hell by choice.

John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Remember, that not every person or nation surrounding Israel tried to fight against David to keep him from ruling over their lives—many like king Toi of Hamath submitted willingly (2Samuel 8:9-10).

If you bow the knee to Jesus now and make a covenant with Him today—He will show you mercy when you stand before Him someday—our lesson for next week.