The right response to a promise-keeping God (2 Samuel 8)

I must admit that the long list of David’s military conquests does not make riveting reading, since the ancient place names and people groups are unfamiliar to most of us. Yet it is an important point in David’s career because it follows on from God’s promises in the previous chapter that He will make David a great name and give His people a living space where they can finally be at rest (2 Sam 7:9-10). Although Israel entered the Promised Land centuries earlier, they were under constant threat from other people groups. In fact, this was one of the reasons why Israel wanted a king, to fight their battles (1 Sam 8:19-20). Our reading gives no timeline, so we do not know when exactly all these victories happened, but the chapter is a summary of David’s military achievements and a form of taking stock of his reign. This is, in fact, a high point, while what follows will lead into David’s sin and its dramatic consequences. Thus, it is important to pause and savour what was positive about the king’s reign.

God’s faithful support

David’s victories are extensive. The Philistines on the south-western coastline were the great enemy that Israel struggled against during Saul’s reign, the group this first king failed to subdue. David overcomes them (2 Sam 8:1) and extends his kingdom in all directions. In the east (Moab; 2 Sam 8:2), north-east and north (Zobah and the Arameans/Syria, Hamath; 2 Sam 8:3, 5-6, 9-10) and the south (Edom; 2 Sam 8:13-14) he gains victories, receives tribute and sets up garrisons. We read that David made a name for himself, i.e. his military conquests furthered him with a reputation, but the narrator insists twice that all this was possible because God had helped him (2 Sam 8:6, 14).

David’s response

David’s response to God’s faithful support of him is noteworthy. First, he refuses to amass horses and chariots and only keeps a small amount (2 Sam 8:4) for his army’s use. To hamstring horses means to cut or injure the leg tendon on the horse’s hind legs, which made it impossible for them to gallop. Although this is a shocking practice for us, it was common in the ancient world to stop the enemy from using those horses again in battle. Despite their disability, these animals could still be employed in farming. Chariots and horses were symbols of military prowess and Deuteronomy warns against accumulating too many (Deut 17:16), as this indicates a king’s reliance on his own strength. By hamstringing the horses that were surplus to requirements, David could not be tempted to use them either.  Second, the booty and tribute David gains, he dedicates to the Lord (2 Sam 8:7, 11). This means that the materials (gold, silver, bronze) may have been utilised in making vessels for cultic use or for the building of the later temple. This act is David’s acknowledgement of God’s help in his victories. Finally, a king’s key duty is to administer justice in the land and this David does (2 Sam 8:15).[1] In other words, his response to the Lord’s grace and promise-keeping is to acknowledge His help in his actions and to fulfil his God-given role with faithfulness.

Overcoming ‘enemies’

Although there is no automatic link between God’s help and material success or well-being, there is a principle here that applies in the spiritual realm. Like Israel struggled with enemies in the political realm, so we face ‘enemies’ spiritually, whether they are particular sins, or discouragement, fear and the like. Unless we trust in the Lord’s strength, we cannot overcome. It is only by His grace that change can happen and when we see the Lord step in to help us, we need to acknowledge that and, like David, respond with gratitude and an attitude of faithful service. It is not that we pay Him back, but as we encounter His goodness to us, our desire becomes to do our best for Him in love.

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[1] 2 Samuel 8:18 mentions David’s sons as ‘priests’, but this seems unlikely as they are not in the same category as the priests mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:17. Not even David or Solomon is ever called a priest, though they did take on some priestly duties like offering sacrifices. The parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 18:17 has ‘chiefs’ or chief ministers/royal advisors, so many translations amend 2 Samuel in this way.

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