Our Victory on Every Side
In 1 Samuel 8, David goes to war and strikes down every single opponent. The chapter itself is a personal highlight reel of David's military prowess. He fully defeats the Philistines, the Moabites, Zobah and Edom.
2 Samuel 8:1–4 (ESV) After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots.
2 Samuel 8:13 (ESV) And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
His victory is a picture of the work of Christ on our behalf.
The first reality David brings to the Nation of Israel is victory on EVERY side. The Philistines to the east, Syria to the North, Edom to the South and Zobah to the East by the Euphrates river. The nation of Israel, who long suffered at the hands of these nations under the Judges and Saul's rule has now overcome them because of David.
It's an incredible picture for who we are in Christ. For what Israel had under David, we have under Christ. That ancient enemy the devil (our personal Philistine army) is defeated. Moab, the descendants of Lot, who I see representing our past sins and failures are defeated and put to death. Zobah who I see representing our flesh - always seeking to expand power over us - is defeated. And Edom - which means "red" and symbolizes the Earth, representing death - is defeated. In Christ, ALL our enemies have been finally subdued.
I also had this thought. Most people are only aware of ONE of those enemies - the Philistines. Yet Israel was surrounded by them. How often are we guilty of not recognizing the many enemies we face beyond just the devil. He is real and not to be trifled with, but we must also recognize the power of our flesh and our past. We need victory over them and Christ has provided it. Let us not ignore it!
The application for us is to appropriate what Christ has made ours through His finished work. The hard truth of scripture's narrative is that you cannot win these battles in yourself. You need a champion and leader anointed by God and set apart for His purposes. When you come to Christ, you step into His victory and protection. His territory is your territory.
Moreover, David gains tribute from nations too scared to battle him. Later in the chapter we read this summary: 2 Samuel 8:15 (ESV) So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.
Consider how the New Testament commands the Church to NOT return to that from which we have been saved...
Romans 8:15 (ESV) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Hebrews 10:35 (ESV) Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
2 Samuel 8:1–4 (ESV) After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots.
2 Samuel 8:13 (ESV) And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
The first reality David brings to the Nation of Israel is victory on EVERY side. The Philistines to the east, Syria to the North, Edom to the South and Zobah to the East by the Euphrates river. The nation of Israel, who long suffered at the hands of these nations under the Judges and Saul's rule has now overcome them because of David.
It's an incredible picture for who we are in Christ. For what Israel had under David, we have under Christ. That ancient enemy the devil (our personal Philistine army) is defeated. Moab, the descendants of Lot, who I see representing our past sins and failures are defeated and put to death. Zobah who I see representing our flesh - always seeking to expand power over us - is defeated. And Edom - which means "red" and symbolizes the Earth, representing death - is defeated. In Christ, ALL our enemies have been finally subdued.
I also had this thought. Most people are only aware of ONE of those enemies - the Philistines. Yet Israel was surrounded by them. How often are we guilty of not recognizing the many enemies we face beyond just the devil. He is real and not to be trifled with, but we must also recognize the power of our flesh and our past. We need victory over them and Christ has provided it. Let us not ignore it!
The application for us is to appropriate what Christ has made ours through His finished work. The hard truth of scripture's narrative is that you cannot win these battles in yourself. You need a champion and leader anointed by God and set apart for His purposes. When you come to Christ, you step into His victory and protection. His territory is your territory.
Moreover, David gains tribute from nations too scared to battle him. Later in the chapter we read this summary: 2 Samuel 8:15 (ESV) So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people.
Romans 8:15 (ESV) For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Hebrews 10:35 (ESV) Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
Galatians 5:1 (ESV) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
1 Corinthians 15:55–58 (ESV) “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The repeated message of the New Testament is not to achieve our victory, but to stand firm in Christ's victory. We have it by grace through faith. He is our true David who has conquered every enemy. It is our choice if we wish to struggle again in these matters. But the hope of the Christian life is that we do not have to. We are free, redeemed, forgiven and our home is fixed in heaven. What a joy and privilege. What a hope and confidence.
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