• John 3:3 (ESV) — 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
• John 3:5 (ESV) — 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
  • See / Enter
  • Today: Kingdom goal, need, and atmosphere.
• Battles in this passage:
  • Some may have been defensive in nature, but some likely were not.
  • David and his army were products of their time.
  • Political and economic goals fueled at least some of these campaigns.
  • But God used it all: ”The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went” (8:6, 14).

Kingdom Goal: Subdue (2 Samuel 8:1-14)

• David will subdue six foreign powers.
  • Each victory was strategic for Israel’s flourishing.

1 Philistines — 8:1 After this David defeated the Philistines [old enemy] and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah [unknown city, but strategic] out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 Moabites — 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.

• 2 He defeated Moab: Though they were family (through Ruth), David struck them. Some think they had harmed David’s family, who he had entrusted into Moab’s care.
• 2 Death / Spared: Brutal.
  • Moab became a vassal to Israel.

3 Zobahites — 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. [expanding at Israel’s expense] 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung [disabling them] all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots.

4 Syrians — 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze.

5 Hamathites — 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. [thanksgiving and surrendur] 11 These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued, 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

6 Edomites — 13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

1 There is a war to gain the ground God has given us.

• 6, 14 The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went: Does this phrase sound familiar to you?
  • Joshua 1:3–6 (ESV) — 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
  • God’s promise, years earlier, to Abraham: Genesis 15:18 (ESV) — 18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates,
  • David was picking up where Joshua had left off, taking what God had promised him and all of Israel.
    • But he had to war to get it!
• We are in a war!
  • Romans 6:19 (ESV) — 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
  • Galatians 5:16–17 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
• 6 enemies:
  • 1 Guilt
  • 2 Shame
  • 3 Insecurity
  • 4 Fear
  • 5 Despair
  • 6 Defilement

2 Success comes to those who trust, give to, and credit God.

• David’s thanked God.
  • 2 Tribute / 7 Shields of gold…brought them to Jerusalem / 8 Very much bronze / 10 Silver, of gold, and of bronze / 11 These also David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued: Materials for the temple.
• David trusted God.
  • 4 Hamstrung: Meaning they couldn’t have too many chariots, which was the advanced military weapon of its day.
  • Psalm 20:7 (ESV) — 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
• David credited God.
  • From this season, particularly after the victory over Edom — Psalm 60:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! 12 With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Kingdom Need: Team (2 Samuel 8:15-18)

15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites [Cretan and Philistine mercenary group — special forces], and David’s sons were priests [chief officials, according to 1 Chronicles 18:17, and not responsible for worship services].

• 15 David administered justice and equity to all his people:
  • Israel had wanted their king to provide justice and equity (1 Samuel 8:6, 20).
  • David provided justice and equity through his organization of leaders (military, political, ceremonial).
    • Over the years, David developed military leaders, politicians, priests, agricultural leaders, counselors, and even a friend named Hushai (1 Chronicles 27:33).

3 Be part of Jesus’ team.

• He longs to proclaim the gospel to all nations.
  • Luke 7:22–23 (ESV) — 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. 23 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
• It takes a team!
  • 1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV) — 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

4 Let Jesus build you a team.

• Success does not happen alone.
  • Shores up weaknesses.
  • Helps with setbacks or failures.
  • Strengthen against attacks and criticisms.
  • To get it done!
• For you team you should have:
  • 1 Someone you want to be like.
  • 2 Someone to coach you up.
  • 3 Someone to partner with you.
  • 4 Someone to befriend you.

Kingdom Atmosphere: Mercy and Grace (2 Samuel 9)

• David had received much grace, so he would dispense much grace.
• Jonathan made David promise him his favor.
  • 1 Samuel 20:15 (ESV) — 15 and do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever…
  • Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. He was still alive, but had been injured when fleeing as a five-year-old (2 Samuel 4:4). Years later, he is a full grown man, but still in hiding.

1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar [5 miles east of the Jordan].

6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” [David-like response]

• David gave Mephibosheth Saul’s land and made him a constant guest at his table.

9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

• David’s mercy and grace towards Mephibosheth was vastly different from any king in his era, but it also served as a foretaste of the gospel.
  • Jesus pursued us.
  • We were injured by sin.
  • He extended his kindness to us.

5 Let Jesus redefine everything for you.

• For years, Mephibosheth lived with a constant reminder of who David was, and what he would’ve done had Mephibosheth been found. Mephibosheth’s nurse thought David would kill him, and Mephibosheth had believed this as he remained in hiding.
  • But this entire episode rewrote the story.
• Let Jesus show you who God is.
  • Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) — 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…
  • John 14:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…
  • The most quoted Bible verse by the Bible: Exodus 34:6–7 (ESV) — 6 …“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

6 You are no longer away, but near, no longer angry, but satisfied, and no longer afraid, but loved.

• Mephibosheth had been away, but he was brought near.
• Mephibosheth had been angry at David, but he was satisfied by David.
• Mephibosheth had been afraid, but he was loved.