2 Samuel 8-10
2 Samuel 8-10; Psalms 21, 27, 28, 63
In the LORD’s covenant with David, He told the newly crowned king that his place in the flow of redemptive history was to be a conqueror—one who would be used to destroy Israel’s enemies and give them rest from the land rest from war (cf. 2 Sam 7.8-11). On the heels of this announcement, the author records several instances of military advance against surrounding pagan nations; here David expanded Israel’s territory and solidified their place in the Promised Land. Couched in this record of David’s exploits is a picture of David’s mercy, this time to the house of Saul and his grandson Mephibosheth.
2 Sam 8 is a composite of David’s triumphs over Israel’s foes. The catalogue of the defeated includes the Philistines (v. 1); the Moabites, some of whom were allowed to live and brought David tribute (v. 2); and, Hadadezer, the king of Zobah—who was assisted by the Arameans of Damascus (vv. 3-7). At the conclusion of this list the author inserted a literary framing device for the chapter, “The LORD made David victorious wherever he went” (v. 6b); between the initial statement of this phrase and its occurrence again in v. 14b, the author detailed David’s influence over King Toi (vv. 9-10), and his work against the Edomites (vv. 11-14a). Referring to Israel geographically, the author concluded, “So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people” (v. 15).
The text abruptly turns to domestic concerns in ch 9; David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from Saul’s family I can show kindness to because of Jonathan?” (v. 1). Ziba, servant of Saul’s family reported that Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth—lame in both feet (cf. 2 Sam 4.4)—was yet alive and would be a candidate for the king’s compassion (vv. 2-5). When Mephibosheth was brought to David, he “bowed down to the ground and paid homage” (v. 6). David’s reply displayed the king’s magnanimous spirit toward Saul’s household, as the king said: “Don’t be afraid…since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table” (v. 7). David enlisted Ziba, servant of Saul’s family, as caretaker over the property that had been returned to Mephibosheth (vv. 8-12). Yet, the author emphasized that Mephibosheth stayed near the king in Jerusalem, always eating at the king’s table (v. 13).
Ch 10 records that David’s mercy was not limited to the remaining of Saul’s house; upon the death of the Ammonite king—who may have helped David while he was fleeing from Saul—David “sent his emissaries to console Hanun concerning his father” (v. 2). Perhaps King David’s kindness was also intended to solidify international relations with the new Ammonite king. In any case, the delegation of David was not well received; their beards were shaved and they were sent away half-naked (vv. 3-4). Shamed, the king sent the men to Jericho that they might recover there, and called for a military response to the Ammonite king (vv. 5-7; cf. Ps 27). Being sent to engage the Ammonites, Joab realized that he was flanked in front and rear (vv. 7-9). After he divided the troops to fight on both fronts, David’s military commander exhorted the troops: “Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done” (v. 12; cf. Ps 21). As the battle progressed, Joab’s strength proved too much for the Arameans—whose flight caused the Ammonites to lose heart before his brother, Abishai (vv. 13-14). After regrouping, Hadadezer and the Arameans posed such a threat that David went up to attack them (vv. 15-18). Defeated, Hadadezer’s subjects, “made peace with Israel and became their subjects” (v. 19), and the Ammonite-Aramean alliance was dissolved. David’s prayer of Ps 28 was answered, “Repay them according to what they have done—according to the evil of their deeds. Repay them according to the work of their hands; give them back what they deserve” (v. 4).
The events of 2 Sam 8-10 reveal that God was placing David’s enemies under his feet (cf. Ps 110.1). The New Testament authors understood Jesus to be the ultimate recipient of this Davidic promise—but while David enjoyed victory over his enemies almost immediately following his rise to the throne, there is a sense in which the fullness of Jesus’ victory over His enemies has yet to be displayed. Paul told the Corinthians that Christ had no doubt defeated even the last enemy, death, but that the full repercussions of that triumph would not be displayed for a time. There is thus a sense in which Christ’s victory has yet to be revealed in all of its fullness, “when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor 15.24); when “He puts all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15.25). The apostle John’s vision in the Revelation noted that Jesus’ victory will be recognized by all when He returns to earth to judge and make war in righteousness—the time when He would be recognized as KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS (cf. Rev 19.11-16).
*For a complete list of references, please see scripturestoryline.com