Today's Daily Bread

KING DAVID DID WHAT WAS JUST AND RIGHT

Date : Friday, September 20, 2024
Passage : 2Samuel 8:1~18
Keyverse : 15  
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 him tribute.
3
Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at 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 been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of 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 Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary;
18
Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.
This is the last battle against the Philistines, who plagued Israel prior to Samuel, through Saul, and into David’s reign. David also repelled five other aggressors, such as the Moabites, and a coalition army under Hadadezer of Zobah that included Arameans. This was the very purpose God had chosen him for (3:18). God blessed him with victory (6b, 14b).

From these enemies David received a great deal of tribute (2, 6, 8), as well as recognition from other kings who gave him gifts. Saul had built a monument in honor of his victories (1Sa 15:12). But David, from his youth and during his wilderness wanderings, came to trust in God alone in facing his enemies. So, David dedicated all these gifts and tributes to the Lord (11-12).

As we learned through the book of Judges, defeating the enemies is not enough. A ruler must learn to shepherd his people. King David actively did what was just and right for all his people. As a faithful and wise manager, David provided all needed resources, including administration and structure, so God’s people may flourish. Jesus is doing the same for us today in the church (Eph 4:11-13), as we live in his kingdom. Prayer: Father, thank you for King Jesus, who defeated our enemies and whose reign is just and right. Help me obey him and thrive in his kingdom.
One Word: Lead with justice and righteousness