Dave Burnette's Commentary

2 Samuel Chapter 8

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Nathan, Zabud, & Gad 
Date Penned: (930 BC)
Overview: A Record of David's Reign (c 1-24)
Theme: David's Successes (c 1-10)
Message: Israel's Enemies Are Defeated (v 1-18)

2 Samuel 8 Commentary

(8:1-5) God Fulfills His Promise to David - Part of God's covenant with David included the promise that the Israelites' enemies would be defeated and would no longer oppress them (7:10-11). God fulfilled this promise by helping David defeat the opposing nations. Several enemies are listed in this chapter: (a) The Moabites, who were the descendants of Lot living east of the Dead Sea who posed a constant military and religious threat to Israel (Numbers 25:1-3; Judges 3:12-30; 1 Samuel 14:47). David seemed to have had a good relationship with the Moabites at one time; he had sent his parents there for protection from King Saul (I Samuel 22:3-4), and his great-grandmother Ruth had been from Moab. (2) King Hadadezer of Zobah, whose defeat at David's hands fulfilled God's promise to Abraham that Israel would control the land as far north as the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18). (3) The Edomites, who were descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:1) and were also archenemies of Israel (see 2 Kings 8:20; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14; and the note on Genesis 36:9).


(8:6) Israel Exercises Control Over Their Enemies - These gifts were tribute, the tax levied on conquered nations. The tax helped support Israel's government and demonstrated that the conquered nations were under Israel's control.


(8:15) Pleasing the Lord - David pleased the people (3:36), not because he set out to please them, but because he tried to please God. Often those who try the hardest to become popular never make it. But the praise of people is not that important. Don't spend your time devising ways to become accepted in the public eye. Instead, strive to do what is right, and both God and his people will respect your convictions.


(8:16) David Administers Justice - King David's reign was characterized by justice, which means he interpreted the law fairly, administered punishment with mercy, respected the people's rights, and recognized the people's duty toward God. Is it any wonder that almost everyone trusted and followed David? Why was it good for David to pursue justice? (1) It was God's command (Deuteronomy 16:18-20) and in keeping with his character (Deuteronomy 32:4). God's laws were meant to establish a just society. (2) It was in the nation's best interest, because times would arise when each individual would need justice. Justice should characterize the way you relate to people. Make sure you stand up for the just treatment of everyone, especially the poor, prisoners, the unborn, victims of abuse, the oppressed, and the disenfranchised, both in your community and around the world.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

The Lord Keeps His Promises

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Today we continue in the book of 2nd Samuel with Chapter 8. In our text, David conquers the surrounding nations as Israel's enemies are defeated. What catches my eye is the covenant God gave with the promise that David would control the enemies of God's People. In making an application, we see that a covenant is simply a promise, and God has given us several promises in the Bible. Many are conditional on our actions, but the Lord keeps his promises 100% of the time. How about you? Do you realize the promises of the Bible and that God keeps His promises 100% of the time? Let us learn from our text today that the Lord keeps His Promises.

 

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2 Samuel 8

2 Samuel 8

 1And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

 2And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

 3David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.

 4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots.

 5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

 6Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

 7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

 8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.

 9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,

 10Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

 11Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;

 12Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

 13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.

 14And 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.

 15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.

 16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

 17And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

 18And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.