DAVID S VICTORIES DAVID S OFFICIALS 2 SAMUEL 8:1-18

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1 1 DAVID S VICTORIES DAVID S OFFICIALS 2 SAMUEL 8:1-18 Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Avenue, Nashville, TN., 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor

2 2 Text: 2 Samuel 8:1-18, David s Victories David s Officials 1. In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. 2. 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 tribute. 3. Moreover, David fought Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River. 4. 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. 5. When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6. 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. 7. David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8. From Tebah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze. 9. When Tou king 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 congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had

3 3 been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze. 11. King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: 12. Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13. And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. 15. David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. 16. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 17. Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; 18. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were royal advisers. (NIV) Introduction: I. Smith stated that David was forced to extend his domination beyond the boundaries of Israel proper in order to protect his frontiers against possible invaders. A. Smith further gave three (3) reasons for David s success; viz., 1. there was no major power in the area. 2. David was an exceptionally skilled leader. 3. God blessed David.

4 4 a. 2 Samuel 8:6, 14, 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. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (NIV) II. The chapter ends with a list of the chief officers of his government so that both external and internal security were well addressed. A. 2 Samuel 20:23-26, Joab was over Israel's entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David's priest. (NIV) B. 1 Kings 4:1-6, So King Solomon ruled over all Israel. And these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud-recorder; Benaiah son of Jehoiada commander in chief; Zadok and Abiathar-priests; Azariah son of Nathan in charge of the district officers; Zabud son of Nathan a priest and personal adviser to the king; Ahishar in charge of the palace; Adoniram son of Abda in charge of forced labor. (NIV) III. Smith concluded: A. David expanded the territory controlled by Israel significantly in all directions. B. His conquests resulted in foreign tribute s flowing into the coffers of his kingdom.

5 5 C. Distant kings swore vassal allegiance to David. IV. Parallel references: A. 2 Samuel 8:1-18, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. 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 tribute. Moreover, David fought Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his control along 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. 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. 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. 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 and gold and bronze. 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. And David became

6 6 famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. 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 Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were royal advisers. (NIV) B. 1 Chronicles 18:1-17, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to him and brought tribute. Moreover, David fought Hadadezer king of Zobah, as far as Hamath, when he went to establish his control along 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. 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 everywhere he went. David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah and Cun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea, the pillars and various bronze articles. When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and

7 7 bronze. King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went. 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 Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were chief officials at the king's side. (NIV) V. Coffman observed that king David s domain, at its peak, reached from Dan to Beersheba and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River. A. 1 Samuel 14:47-48, After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of those who had plundered them. (NIV) B. These events are not necessarily presented in chronological order. C. Anderson further wrote, The administrative list (verses 15-18) is not necessarily the official register itself; it seems that only the more important state officials are enumerated.

8 8 Commentary: David s Victories 2 Samuel 8:1, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. (NIV) I. In the course of time, A. 2 Samuel 2:1, In the course of time, David inquired of the LORD. "Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?" he asked. The LORD said, "Go up." David asked, "Where shall I go?" "To Hebron," the LORD answered. (NIV) B. 2 Samuel 7:11, 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: (NIV) C. In the course of time (NIV) is preferred to After this because, as Coffman wrote, It has nothing to do with chronology. II. David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and A. This reduced the military threat posed by the Philistines and eliminated the tribute David may have been paying the Philistines. (See Clarke) B. David definitely broke the Philistine domination over Palestine once for all. (Anderson)

9 9 III. he took Metheg Ammah (bridle of the mother city) from the control of the Philistines. A. Metheg Ammah may be a metaphorical expression for Gath, the chief city (metropolis) of the Philistines at that time, Smith wrote. Coffman agreed Chronicles 18:1, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines. (NIV) B. By taking Gath, his old city of refuge, David acquired also the supremacy which Gath had previously exercised over the whole country, and by placing a strong garrison there, as previously the Philistines had done in the towns of Israel, he kept that martial race in awe, The Pulpit Commentary reads Samuel 27:2, So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maoch king of Gath. (NIV) 2. That David was able to capture Gath indicates that Israel s army had become very strong and proficient. (See Pulpit Commentary) 2 Samuel 8:2, 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 tribute. (NIV) I. David also defeated the Moabites.

10 10 A. Moab was a son of Lot by an incestuous union with his older daughter. 1. Genesis 19:37, The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. (NIV) 2. The Moabites descended from Moab and occupied the eastern border of the southern half of the Dead Sea, on the plateau between the Dead Sea and the Arabian Desert. (Youngblood) B. In previous history, David and Moab were on such friendly terms that David entrusted his father and mother into the care and keeping of the king of Moab. (See The Pulpit Commentary) 1. 1 Samuel 22:3-4, From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. (NIV) 2. David s great-grandmother, Ruth, was a Moabitess. a. Ruth 4:21-22, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. (NIV) II. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. A. Execution of enemy soldiers, here randomly selected, was a part of ancient warfare.

11 Two out of every three Moabite prisoners of war were put to death. III. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. A. Smith stated that these Moabite soldiers had been guilty of notorious atrocities and sparing one-third (1/3) of them would have been considered in the ancient world an act of kindness. B. Exactly why David inflicted such atrocities on the Moabites can only be conjectured. (See Smith) C. The Moabites which remained alive became servants of David, sending him annual tribute. D. Coffman found this atrocity very surprising as not expected from a man after God s own heart and perpetrated on a people to whom he had entrusted his parents safety Samuel 22:3-4, From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, "Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?" So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. (NIV) 2. Jamison via Coffman wrote, Jewish writers assert that the cause of this particular severity against the Moabites was their having massacred David s parents and family, whom he had, during his exile, entrusted to them. IV. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought annual tributes to David.

12 12 A. Moab became a vassal to Israel. 2 Samuel 8:3-4, Moreover, David fought Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his control along 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. (NIV) I. Moreover, David fought Hadadezer (Hadarezer) son of Rehob, King of Zobah, A. Zobah was a small mountainous kingdom north of Damascus, Smith stated Samuel 14:47, After Saul had assumed rule over Israel, he fought against their enemies on every side: Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. (NIV) 2. 2 Samuel 10:15-19, After the Arameans saw that they had been routed by Israel, they regrouped. Hadadezer had Arameans brought from beyond the River ; they went to Helam, with Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army leading them. When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and went to Helam. The Arameans formed their battle lines to meet David and fought against him. But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there. When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to

13 13 them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. (NIV) 3. 1 Chronicles 18:3, Moreover, David fought Hadadezer king of Zobah, as far as Hamath, when he went to establish his control along the Euphrates River. (NIV) 4. The Pulpit Commentary places Zobah north-east of Damascus and south of Hamath, in the region between the rivers Orontes and Euphrates. (Anderson agrees.) 5. These Syrians of Zobah had previously sent powerful reinforcements to the Ammonites in their war with David, The Pulpit Commentary states. a. David s purpose was to prevent Zobah s sending further aid to the Ammonites. b. 2 Samuel 10:19, When all the kings who were vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with the Israelites and became subject to them. So the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore. (NIV) II. when he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River. A. Hadadezer had a two (2) front war, the one in the south being Israel s attack. III. David captured a thousand (1,000) of Hadadezer s chariots, seven thousand (7,000) charioteers and twenty thousand (20,000) foot soldiers.

14 14 A. 1 Chronicles 18:4, 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. (NIV) IV. He hamstrung (houghed) all but a hundred (100) of the chariot horses. A. Joshua 11:6, 9, The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots." Joshua did to them as the LORD had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots. (NIV) B. The term hamstrung refers to cutting a tendon in the hoof or knee of the horse, a very cruel but accepted practice in ancient times, which makes it impossible for the animal to be used again in war (Smith), making it impossible for them to even move making their starvation certain. 1. Genesis 49:5-6, "Simeon and Levi are brothers their swords are weapons of violence. Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased. (NIV) 2. Joshua 11:6, 9, The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots." Joshua did to them as the LORD had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots. (NIV)

15 15 C. Israel did not use chariots and the incapacitation of the chariot horses kept them from being used by Israel s enemies. 1. The one hundred (100) horses that were not hamstrung could be used for rapid communication and this use of these horses, according to The Pulpit Commentary, could not be regarded as a violation of Deuteronomy 17:16. a. Deuteronomy 17:16, The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." (NIV) D. Horses gave Israel s enemies a great advantage. 1. Psalm 20:7, Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (NIV) 2. Psalm 33:17, A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. (NIV) 3. Psalm 76:6, A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. (NIV) 4. Psalm 147:10, His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; (NIV) 2 Samuel 8:5-6, 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. (NIV)

16 16 I. When the Arameans (Syrians) of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, A. These Arameans were evidently allies or vassals of Hadadezer. II. David struck down twenty-two thousand (22,000) of them. III. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute (gifts). A. Garrisons kept the region under David s control Samuel 10:5, "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. (NIV) 2. 1 Samuel 13:3, Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, "Let the Hebrews hear!" (NIV) IV. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. A. The reason David was so successful was that God was with him! 2 Samuel 8:7-8, 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. (NIV)

17 17 I. David took the bold shields (arms, quivers, bracelets) that belonged to the officers (bodyguard) of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. A. These shields were likely gold platted or gold embossed because pure gold shields would not have been strong enough to give adequate protection in battle rather than beaten gold Kings 10:16, King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred bekas of gold went into each shield. (NIV) B. These shields were eventually placed in Solomon s temple, Smith wrote Kings 11:10, Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the LORD. (NIV) C. Clarke observed that it is difficult to know exactly what these shields were and stated they were probably costly ornaments by which the Syrian soldiers were distinguished. (The Pulpit Commentary agrees.) 1. 1 Chronicles 18:7, David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. (NIV) 2. Anderson wrote, The reference is, most likely, to military equipment rather than to ceremonial armor. a. 2 Kings 11:10, Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the LORD. (NIV)

18 18 b. 1 Kings 14:26, He carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. (NIV) II. From Tebah (Betah) and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. A. 2 Kings 25:13-17, The Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars, the movable stands and the bronze Sea that were at the temple of the LORD and they carried the bronze to Babylon. They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes and all the bronze articles used in the temple service. The commander of the imperial guard took away the censers and sprinkling bowls all that were made of pure gold or silver. The bronze from the two pillars, the Sea and the movable stands, which Solomon had made for the temple of the LORD, was more than could be weighed. Each pillar was twentyseven feet high. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was four and a half feet high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its network, was similar. (NIV) B. These towns lay close together, about fifty (50) miles north of Damascus in the valley between the Lebanaons and the Anti- Lebanons, an area rich in copper. (Smith) C. The Pulpit Commentary reads, Of these cities nothing certain is known and in 1 Chronicles 18:8 the names are changed to Tibbath and Chun Chronicles 18:8, From Tebah and Cun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea, the pillars and various bronze articles. (NIV)

19 Samuel 8:9-10, 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 and gold and bronze. (NIV) I. When Tou (Toi) king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, A. Hamath was an Aramean kingdom north of Zobah with a capital of the same name situated in the valley of the Orontes river. (Smith) (Also see Coffman.) 1. 2 Kings 14:25, He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, in accordance with the word of the LORD, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher. (NIV) 2. 1 Chronicles 18:9, When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, (NIV) 3. Clarke identified the city of Hamath with the famous city of Emesa, situated on the River Orontes, some 120 miles north of Damascus, Anderson wrote. 4. The city of Hamath had been the capital of the Hittites. (The Pulpit Commentary) II. he sent his son Joram (Hadoram) to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer,

20 20 A. Greet as used here, according to Smith, literally means ask him of his welfare and congratulate means bless. B. 1 Chronicles 18:10, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. (NIV) III. who had been at war with Tou. A. Tou was grateful and obligated to David for defeating Hadadezer. (See Smith) IV. Joram (Yahweh is exalted) brought with him articles of silver and gold and bronze as presents to David. A. Smith wrote, Toi apparently was seeking either an alliance, or protection from David. B. Joram, in view of its meaning, may have been a name given by David and/or his officials. C. Psalm 18:43-44, You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. as soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. (NIV) 2 Samuel 8:11-12, 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. (NIV)

21 21 I. King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: A. David reserved these presents and the plunder of war for use in the temple Solomon was to build Kings 7:51, When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the LORD was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated the silver and gold and the furnishings and he placed them in the treasuries of the LORD's temple. (NIV) 2. David made exceptional preparations for the building and furnishing of the temple. (See Smith) a. 1 Chronicles 22:2-5, So David gave orders to assemble the aliens living in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God. He provided a large amount of iron to make nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, and more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided more cedar logs than could be counted, for the Sidonians and Tyrians had brought large numbers of them to David. David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death. (NIV) b. Spoils of war and gifts of friendship were reserved for use in temple construction and furnishings. (See The Pulpit Commentary)

22 22 i. 1 Chronicles 29:1-9, Then King David said to the whole assembly: "My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD in the custody of

23 23 Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (NIV) II. Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. A. Psalm 18:43-44, You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations; people I did not know are subject to me. As soon as they hear me, they obey me; foreigners cringe before me. (NIV) B. 1 Chronicles 18:11, King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. (NIV) C. Edomites descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. (Youngblood) D. Moabites descended from Moab, the son of Lot by an incestuous relationship with his older daughter. (Youngblood) F. Philistines, for whom Palestine is named, evidently came from the island of Crete in the Mediterranean sea and occupied a part of the southwest part of Palestine from about 1200 to 600 B.C. (Youngblood) G. Amalekites descended from Amalek, a grandson of Esau and son of Eliphaz by Timnah, his concubine. (Youngblood) III. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

24 Samuel 8:13, And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (NIV) I. And David became famous (won a name for himself) after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand (18,000) Edomites in the Valley of Salt. A. The field commander in this operation was Abishai. (Smith) David was commander in chief and Joab was the top general of the army Chronicles 18:12-13, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went. (NIV) 2. 1 Kings 11:15-16, Earlier when David was fighting with Edom, Joab the commander of the army, who had gone up to bury the dead, had struck down all the men in Edom. Joab and all the Israelites stayed there for six months, until they had destroyed all the men in Edom. (NIV) B. Coffman wrote, The Valley of Salt lay in the extreme south of the Arabah, southward from the Dead Sea. 1. Anderson stated the location of the Valley of Salt is uncertain. C. From this time the Edomites and Israelites were implacable foes, and in later Jewish literature the Jews gave vent to their intense hatred of the Roman empire by giving it the name of Edom. (The Pulpit commentary)

25 Samuel 8:14, He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (NIV) I. He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. A. To maintain control of Edom, strong garrisons of soldiers were placed in the land. 1. Otherwise, Edom with the help of its neighbors would have sooner rather than later again become a threat to Israel. II. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. David s Officials 2 Samuel 8:15-18, 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 Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were royal advisers. (NIV) I. David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. A. Jeremiah 22:3, This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. (NIV)

26 26 B. Jeremiah 23:5-6, "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. (NIV) C. Jeremiah 33:15-16, " 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.' (NIV) D. Isaiah 9:7, Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV) 2 Samuel 8:16, Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; (NIV) I. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; A. Joab became military commander because of his success in Israel s attack on and capture of Zion. B. Joab was responsible directly to king David. (Anderson) II. Jehosphaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; A. Smith stated that Jehoshaphat was the officer who brought state business to the king s notice and advised about these matters. 1. Jehoshaphat kept the royal records, Smith noted.

27 Jehoshaphat, Clarke wrote, kept a strict journal of all the proceedings of the king and operations of his army; a chronicler. 3. It was his office to reduce the king s decrees to writing, and also to see that they were carried into execution, The Pulpit Commentary states. III. Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; A. Smith wrote, Elsewhere Zadok and Abiathar (not Ahimelech) are mentioned as the principal priests of David s reign Samuel 22:20-23, But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David. He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD. Then David said to Abiathar: "That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father's whole family. Stay with me; don't be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me." (NIV) 2. 2 Samuel 20:23-26, Joab was over Israel's entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; Adoniram was in charge of forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David's priest. (NIV) 3. In the above verse he is listed as the father, rather than the son, of Ahimelech.

28 The names of Ahimelech and Abiathar may have been reversed due to scribal errors. (See Smith) 5. Zadok and Ahimelech may have been assistants to Abiathar the high priests. (See Smith) 6. Abiathar was definitely in office during the reign of David. a. 1 Kings 2:26, To Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and shared all my father's hardships." (NIV) b. 1 Chronicles 16:39, David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon. (NIV) 7. Ahimelech probably assisted his father in the Jerusalem sanctuary. a. 1 Chronicles 24:3, 6, 31, With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar. They also cast lots, just as their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests

29 29 and of the Levites. The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest. (NIV) 8. Zadok was the priest who served during Saul s reign and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, was David s priest. (Smith) B. The Pulpit Commentary reads, Zadok, of the elder line of Eleazar, was high priest at Gibeon, and Ahimelech, of the junior line of Ithamar, was the high priest of Jerusalem. 1. Abiathar the son of Ahimelech may be the correct reading. a. 2 Samuel 20:25, Sheva was secretary; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; (NIV) b. 1 Kings 2:26, To Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and shared all my father's hardships." (NIV) IV. Seraiah (Yahweh is prince) was secretary; A. As the king s private secretary, Smith wrote, Seraiah was charged with drafting and the custodial care of official documents, the writing of royal proclamations, etc. 1. This person s names, as is true of many others in the Old Testament, are variable among the various references. (See The Pulpit Commentary)

30 30 a. 1 Chronicles 18:16, Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; (NIV) b. 1 Kings 4:3, Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud-recorder; (NIV) c. 1 Kings 20:25, You must also raise an army like the one you lost horse for horse and chariot for chariot so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they." He agreed with them and acted accordingly. (NIV) V. Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; A. The Kerethites and Pelethites were mercenaries, foreign troops who were hired as a royal bodyguard, Smith observed Samuel 30:14, We raided the Negev of the Kerethites and the territory belonging to Judah and the Negev of Caleb. And we burned Ziklag." (NIV) 2. The Kerethites and Pelethites were closely related to the Philistines. (Smith) a. Ezekiel 25:16, therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. (NIV) b. Zephaniah 2:5, Woe to you who live by the sea, O Kerethite people; the word of the LORD is against

31 31 you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines. "I will destroy you, and none will be left." (NIV) 3. Clarke wrote that the Targum translates these two (2) names as the archers and the singers. 4. The Kerethites (Cherethites) are supposed to be those who accompanied David when he fled from Saul; the Pelethites are supposed to have accompanied David to Ziklag. VI. and David s sons were royal advisers, chief officials in the service of the king. A. 1 Chronicles 18:17, Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David's sons were chief officials at the king's side. (NIV) B. 2 Samuel 20:26, and Ira the Jairite was David's priest. (NIV) C. 1 Kings 4:1-6, So King Solomon ruled over all Israel. And these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah, sons of Shisha secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud-recorder; Benaiah son of Jehoiada commander in chief; Zadok and Abiathar-priests; Azariah son of Nathan in charge of the district officers; Zabud son of Nathan a priest and personal adviser to the king; Ahishar in charge of the palace; Adoniram son of Abda in charge of forced labor. (NIV) Conclusion: I. The first chapters of 2 Samuel tell of David s glory days, his great successes, domestic and foreign.

32 32 A. How wonderful it would have been if David had continued on this path of righteousness all the days of his life. II. Later, with deep regret and sorrow, we learn that this wonderful man yielded to temptation and brought grief to both himself and his nation. A. But, before learning of David s dark side, let s study two (2) more chapters which tell of the piety of this person, a man after God s own heart. III. However, as of 2 Samuel 8, David was everything the people had hoped for when they demanded a king. (See Anderson) A. 1 Samuel 8:20, Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." (NIV)

33 33 Questions 2 Samuel 8:1-18 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. In view of Israel s military history (see Joshua - 2 Chronicles), how would you have expected their enemies to have historically reacted? How have they reacted? 2. Why did David extend his domination beyond the boundaries of Israel? What benefits accrued to Israel from these military ventures? 3. 2 Samuel 8 ends with a list of the of David s so that both and were well addressed. 4. How are 2 Samuel 8:1-18 and 1 Chronicles 18:1-17 alike? How are they different?

34 At its peak king David s domain reached from to and from the to the. 6. Verses 1-14 give a and verses list the. 7. Who were the Philistines? Describe the historic relationship between Israel and the Philistines. 8. Why was the capture of Metheg Ammah, thought to be Gath, important? What was accomplished by placing Israelite garrisons in Philistia?

35 Who were the Moabites? Where did they live? How was David related to the Moabites? 10. Why did David treat the Moabite captives so cruelly? 11. Locate Zobah. 12. What was David s purpose in going to war with Zobah? 13. Compare 2 Samuel 8:4 and 1 Chronicles 18:4. Refer to more than one version. How many chariots were captured? How many charioteers were captured?

36 36 How many foot soldiers were captured? 14. What is meant by the statement, He hamstrung all the chariot horses? Why was this done? 15. What military use was made of horses by Israel? What military use was made of horses by Israel s enemies? 16. What caused the Arameans (Syrians) of Damascus to attack David? What was the outcome of this military conflict? 17. Give as many reasons as you can for David s military successes.

37 What did David do with much or all of the valuable plunder taken from his vanquished foes? 19. What were the gold shields taken from Hadadezer s officers? 20. What was the bronze of verse 8? What did David do with this bronze bounty? 21. Locate Hamath. What did King Tou do? Was this a prudent course of action? Why or why not? 22. Who were the Edomites?

38 Who were the Ammonites? 24. Who were the Amalekites? 25. What did David do in the Valley of Salt? Why did David place garrisons in Edom? What were the results of these developments? 26. How did David become famous? Would you like to be famous? Why? For what would you like to be famous? For what would you like to be known?..remembered?

39 over all, doing what was and for his. The gave wherever he went. 28. Who was Joab? What position did he hold in David s administration? 29. Who was Jehoshaphat? What position did he hold in David s administration? What were his duties? 30. Who were Zadok, Ahimelech and Abiathar? Who were the high priests during David s reign? According to the Law of Moses, how many high priests were there to be at any one time? 31. Who was Seraiah? What position did he hold in David s administration? What were his duties?

40 Who was Benaiah? What position did he hold in David s administration? What were his duties? 33. Who were the Kerethites and Pelethites? 34. What duties did David s sons perform in his administration? 35. How does what is said of David in 2 Samuel 8-10 differ with what is said of him in 2 Samuel 11-20?