UNROLL
Dawn on the winding road up to the City of David: far below the small town on its ridge, a long line of laden donkeys led by men in foreign dress climbs toward the gate, under a calm, clear dawn sky.

The Book of

2 Samuel 8

The LORD promised David rest from his enemies. Now nation after nation bows, and David gives the treasure to God.

18 verses≈ 3 min5 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–4King in HebronThe house of Saul falls
  2. 5–6JerusalemThe ark comes home
  3. 7–10A house foreverGod's promise to DavidChapter 8
  4. 11–12David's sinBathsheba and Nathan
  5. 13–20The swordAmnon, Absalom and Sheba
  6. 21–24Last wordsSongs, heroes and an altar

David’s Triumphs

Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

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David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

PhilistiaMoabSeir (Edom)AmmonZobahEuphratesJerusalemDamascusHamath

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

David’s wars

The Philistines on the coast; Moab, Ammon and Edom east and south of the Dead Sea; Aram of Zobah and Damascus to the north, and Hamath beyond them. David’s rule now reached toward the Euphrates. Zobah’s exact extent is uncertain, and so are the Valley of Salt, Betah, Berothai and Metheg-ammah.

David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

Morning on a rocky hillside above the green oasis of Damascus: a small stone outpost where a handful of Israelite soldiers look out over orchards and flat roofs toward bare mountains and snowy Mount Hermon.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Wherever he went

David won battle after battle, yet the text gives the credit plainly: “So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.” Think of a success in your own life, small or large. Write down how the Lord was at work in it, and thank Him for it by name.

By lamplight in a small stone treasury beside the ark's tent, two Levites in white linen set gold and silver vessels and gold shields carefully on plain wooden shelves.

and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he had subdued— from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

The red sandstone mountains of Edom glowing deep red at sunset across the wide Arabah valley, a faint shepherd's track in the foreground.

And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David.

So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Samuel 8:14

Question

Quick question

Gold shields, bronze, and gifts of silver and gold from the king of Hamath all came to Jerusalem.

What did David do with the silver, gold and bronze he received?

David’s Officers

Morning in the gateway of the City of David: King David sits on a stone bench listening closely to a poor widow and a farmer, gray-bearded elders seated beside him, townspeople waiting in the shade.

Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

David’s officials

The king’s court

  1. Army, records

    Joab and Jehoshaphat

    Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;

    Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

  2. Priests, scribe

    Zadok, Ahimelech and Seraiah

    Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests;

    Seraiah was the scribe;

  3. Guard, leaders

    Benaiah and David’s sons

    Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

    and David’s sons were priestly leaders.

administered justice and righteousness for all his people

2 Samuel 8:15

Pray

Justice and righteousness

Thank the Lord that He gives victory and keeps His promises, as He did for David “wherever he went.” Pray for those who lead you, at home, at church and in your country, that they would do justice and righteousness. And thank God for Jesus, the Son of David, whose throne will stand in justice forever. Amen.

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2 Samuel 8

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A verse to carry with you

So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

2 Samuel 8:14

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