The Expansion of David’s Kingdom – Adult STS Lesson 238
“And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went”
2 Samuel 8:14 (Memory Verse)
Introduction
Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, annihilated major enemies of the nation but left the various tribes to conquer the remaining ones within their territories. However, due to lack of zeal and love for God, none of the tribes was very successful in this regard. Had each tribe fully accomplished this command, there may be no need for David to fight any war. With time, however, the residue of the nations grew stronger and became snares to Israel. When David became king, he waged wars against them, relying on God’s promise that “…thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever” (2 Samuel 7:16). And the Lord gave him victory, expanded and consolidated his kingdom.
In our texts, David initiated aggressive campaigns to conquer and subdue all the enemies who dwelt on the land that the Lord had promised the children of Israel. He was successful in his campaigns and subdued them.
DAVID’S CAMPAIGNS AND CONQUESTS
2 Samuel 8:1-8; 1 Chronicles 18:1-6; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 20:1-4,7-9; Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 3
After God’s covenant with David, commonly called the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:1-29), the king embarked on a series of wars with renewed vigour against surrounding nations. This was in line with God’s commandment to “…smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them” (Deuteronomy 7:2). Prominent among the nations listed for destruction were the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians, Amalekites and Edomites. And in that order, the Philistines were smitten and subdued (2 Samuel 8:1). The Moabites were subdued, reduced to the level of servants and made to pay tributes (2 Samuel 8:2). The Ammonites and the Syrians were all smitten, subdued and made servants (2 Samuel 8:12,13; 10:15,16). The Edomites, in league with the Amalekites and others who threatened to erase previous victories, were conquered by troops led by Abishai and Joab (2 Samuel 8:13,14; 1 Chronicles 18:12; 1 Kings 11:15). The Ammonites’ capital city of Rabbah was besieged by Joab (2 Samuel 11:1) and finally conquered by David (2 Samuel 12:26-31).
These wars of David with the surrounding nations had a greater significance: they specifically encapsulate the great conflict, which was ordained from the beginning (Genesis 3:15). They appear to portray the continuation of the spiritual battle between Satan and the lineage of David from which the Seed of the woman was to come. The victories also foreshadow the conquest of the Son of David over Satan and the nations, which will mass against the millennial city (Revelation 20:7-9).
All the seven nations that David warred against were a confederate of proud, selfish and idolatrous warmongers (Psalm 68:30). They, like Satan, fought against the counsel of the Most High and sought to exterminate the people of God. Their confederacy is described in the Psalms: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us” (Psalm 2:2,3).
In all of David’s wars, the Lord preserved him wherever he went. His victories, protection and preservation in the midst of foes should encourage contemporary Christians. “The Lord preserveth the faithful”; “He that walketh uprightly walketh surely”; and “shall be saved” (Psalm 31:23; Proverbs 10:9; 28:18). We must live by the word of God if we expect to be kept by His power. Every believer who evangelises, delivers the oppressed and engages in Christian service is in a holy strife and might be exposed to dangers as David but God will always protect His own (Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 6:12; Jude 3). Christ said, “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
THE DEDICATION OF SPOILS OF WAR
2 Samuel 8:9-18; 1 Chronicles 18:6,9,10,13; Psalm 31:23; Deuteronomy 32:41-43; Proverbs 10:9; 28:18; Acts 4:34-37; 20:35
David gathered all the spoils of war along with other presents brought to him and deposited them in the sacred treasury for future use. The king’s piety is an example Christians of all ages should follow. Today, the first treasure we must dedicate to God is our hearts. Others — gold, silver, houses, land, and talent — must equally be laid at His disposal. Our time should be used for His glory by sharing the gospel with others.
By laying the best of his treasures before the Lord, David exhibited an unselfish spirit. When his gold and silver increased, he thought of God and the overriding national interest. The Bible says, “…if riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10). Secondly, he displayed a grateful spirit. He recognised that battles were never won by brawn or brain, but God’s providence (1 Chronicles 29:10-14). Thirdly, he exemplified a faithful spirit. The best and the greatest portion of his spoils were devoted to God (1 Corinthians 4:2; Proverbs 3:9,10). Finally, his act suggested a devotional spirit.
David was also diligent in appointing qualified leaders into various offices for easy administration of the kingdom (2 Samuel 8:14-18). He was the king and overall head; Joab, the military commander; Jehoshaphat, the recorder; Zadok and Ahimelech, the priests and Seraiah, the secretary. Benaiah was a sectional head over the Cherethites and the Pelethites and David’s sons were chief rulers. By devolving power to other sectional heads, David was in a better position to oversee and supervise his rapidly expanding kingdom. Therefore, the king’s territory suffered no damage.
DAVID’S VICTORY OVER THE AMMONITES AND SYRIANS
2 Samuel 10:1-19; Judges 11:4-6; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; 1 Corinthians 16:13,14
David reciprocated the kindness of Nahash the late king of the Ammonites by sending his servants to comfort Hanun his son who succeeded him. Though he displayed outstanding quality of kindness to the bereaved, the Ammonites misunderstood kindness for espionage. Their response, based on this wrong premise, led to further expansion of David’s kingdom. Heeding the wrong advice of his princes, Hanun humiliated the ambassadors sent by David. Provocative as it was, David did not make any move until the Ammonites enlisted the help of other nations to form a confederacy against Israel. They “…sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men” (2 Samuel 10:6). The display of war tactics, courage and bravery of David’s army under Joab and Abishai led to the defeat of these nations, and the Ammonites became slaves to Israel.
David’s deed of kindness to the Ammonites and their response throw up some vital lessons. One, it is always good to show kindness. David, like our Lord Jesus Christ, was full of compassion and mercy. We need to emulate such because we can win more souls into God’s kingdom by our deeds of kindness to sinners. Two, we must depend on God, not on the arms of the flesh for guidance before taking important decisions. Hanun’s reaction to David’s kind gesture, based on the advice of the princes brought evil upon him and his people. Three, sinners and backsliders are consumed with fear and insecurity (1 John 4:18); therefore, they should repent and turn to the Lord. Four, the tactics and courage of Joab and Abishai are lessons in defeating the craftiness of Satan who is always at war with believers. Prayer and obedience to God’s word help believers to plunder the devil’s strongholds and liberate his captives (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Five, all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28). At the end of time, people who make themselves enemies of the cross of Christ will be subdued and punished while those who embrace His mercy and love will reign with Him forever.
Questions for Review
- How central is the Davidic covenant in both Testaments?
- What is the import of the Old Testament wars to the kingdom of God?
- Mention the treasure an individual must contribute to the kingdom of God.
- Why was David so grateful to the Lord?
- Highlight lessons believers can draw from David’s kindness and the response of the Ammonites.
- How can believers maintain constant victory in spiritual warfare?
- What can believers do to expand the kingdom of God?