2 Samuel 10:13

2 Samuel 10:13 says, And Joab drew nigh, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians: and they fled before him.  The Syrians fled before Joab almost as soon as the battle began it seems .  As long as we remain faithful to God, spiritually all our enemies have already fled from an everlasting perspective.  There is no enemy that we need to fear, even death itself.  Verse fourteen adds, And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.  Seeing that the Syrians had fled, so did the army of the Ammonites.  If we are spiritually victorious over one enemy, then others may flee from us as well.  Joab and the armies of Isreal did not pursue either enemy, but returned to Jerusalem.  When we are successful in defeating spiritual enemies, we don't need to chase after them, but need to simply return to our relationship with God for further strength.  Verse fifteen continues, And when the Syrians saw that they were smitten before Israel, they gathered themselves together.  The Syrians then gathered themselves after they had been defeated.  Even though I don't believe we need to chase after defeated spiritual enemies, that doesn't mean that they will never come back to bother us.  Some sin that we have overcome may tempt us again, which is why we need to remain close to God and the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse sixteen states, And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.  Since his troops that had gone to help the Ammonites fled, Hadarezer brought more of the Syrians to fight against Israel.  As stated, we may have overcome a particular sin and then have it come back as an even stronger temptation to us.  Verse seventeen adds, And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together, and passed over Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. Though Joab had not pursued the Syrians when they fled, David gathered the troops of Israel together to fight against them when they began to prepare to go to war against Israel.  Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, even if we do not chase enemies we have already defeated spiritually, if they do come back to attack us again, we need to be ready to battle them.  If our faith in God is strong, the battle should not be long, no matter how strong they may be when they return.  Verse eighteen continues, And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.  Once more,the Syrians fled, and David destroyed seven hundred of their chariots and forty- thousand horsemen, as well as Shobach their captain.  David had God on his side, so the battle was not long.  We as Christians have God on our side, so no matter how strong our enemies may think they are, spiritually they will always flee as long as we remain faithful to Him.  Verse nineteen concludes, And when all the kings that were servants to Hadarezer saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.  When the other kings that were servants of Hadadezer saw that his troops had been killed before David, they made peace with Israel and no longer helped the Ammonites.  If by faith we defeat one enemy, it may keep others from even attacking us.  

2 Samuel 10:7

2 Samuel 10:7 says, And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.  When David heard what the people of Ammon had done to his servants that he sent to them in peace, he sent for Joab and all the army of Israel.   Those who reject and ridicule God today will one day face His punishment, and He doesn't need an army to carry it out.  Verse eight adds, And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entering in of the gate: and the Syrians of Zoba, and of Rehob, and Ishtob, and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.  The army of Ammon and those that they had recruited to help them came out to face the army of Israel.  They divided in to two groups, with the Ammonites to protect their city while the Syrians were to flank the Israelites.  We should be ready for the forces of Satan to attack us from all sides.  As stated many times, we should not be surprised when the people of the world unite against God and His people, who are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse nine continues, When Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians:  Joab saw what they were planning and chose the best men of Israel to fight the Syrians under his leadership.  We cannot all be the best of God's army today, but we are all a part of it as Christians and we must be ready to take on the enemies of God wherever He leads us to do so.  Verse ten states, And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.  The rest of the army, Joab put under the command of his brother Abishai.  We may be a leader in the church, just as Joab was the leader of David's troops, but even if we are, we need to realize that we cannot do everything ourself.  Verse eleven adds, And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.  Joab told Abishai that if the Syrians proved to be too strong for him, that Abishai was to come help him and that if the Ammonites proved to be too strong for Abishai that he would come help him.  We as followers of Christ must always be willing to come to the aid of our fellow believers if we see them being overcome by the world.  Of course, if they were going into battle under the direction of God they should have had faith that He would give them the victory, just as He has already done for us spiritually when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.   Verse twelve continues, Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.  Joab then did put things in God's hands.  He said that they were to go to protect their people  but that God should do what seemed good to Him.  Putting everything in God's hands is all we can ever do.  

2 Samuel 10:1

2 Samuel 10:1 says, And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.  Nahash, the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun became king.  One thing is certain, and that is that earthly rulers all ultimately die, but our king, Jesus Christ, lives forever.  Verse two adds, Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.  Though the Ammonites had been cruel enemies of Israel, Nahash had shown kindness to David, so he decided to show kindness to Hanun, Nahash's son.  David sent comfort by the hand of his servants.  We should never judge people by the actions of even the majority of the people of a nation, but should always judge them individually.   Verse three continues, And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?   Hanun's advisors told him that David had sent his servants to spy on him instead of giving him comfort.  People of the world may always question our motives if we as Christians offer them help in their time of mourning.  Verse four states, Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.  Hanon took actions to greatly shame David’s servants, leaving them with a beard only on one side and half-naked and sent them home.  I believe that there is still nothing that some of the lost people today enjoy more than trying to bring shame to Christians.  Verse five adds, When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.  When David heard what had happened, he told his servants that had been shamed to remain in Jerusalem until their beards had regrown.  If we as Christians are somehow shamed by the world today, I don't believe we should allow this to permanently keep us from serving God.  The shame may not be visible like a half-shaved beard, but it like the half- shaved beard should be overcome soon.  Verse six continues, And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.  When the people of Ammon saw that they now stank before David, or had now made themselves his enemy by their actions, they began to hire others to help them.  The enemies of God, even if they don't always get along, will often unite in their battle against God's people, the followers of Christ. 

2 Samuel 9:7

2 Samuel 9:7 says, And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.  David assured Mephibosheth that he was not going to harm him, but that he was going to restore all the land that belonged to Saul to him, who was his grandfather though he was referred to as simply his father here.  This was to be done for Jonathan's sake.  He was also told that he would eat at David’s table continually.  We need to do all that we can to help the children of our friends if they are in need if our friends die, especially our Christian friends, and as children of God, and never grandchildren, we will eat at His table forever spiritually.  Verse eight adds, And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?  Mephibosheth asked David who he was that David should show him this kindness, referring to himself as a dog. Though he was ths son of a prince and the grandson of a king, Mephibosheth didn't see himself as being worthy of the honor David was bestowing on him.   As followers of Christ, we are children, but never grandchildren, of God, the only real King, and we will never be worthy of that honor.   Verse nine continues, Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all is house.  Next, David called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and told him that he had restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth.  Verse ten adds, Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.  David told Ziba that he and his sons would till the land for Mephibosheth so that he would have food to eat, even though the Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table.  Even though God meets all our needs spiritually once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, He still expects us to be at work for Him.  I believe he also expects us to provide help to the less fortunate, especially our fellow Christians.  Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants, though he himself was a servant of Saul.  Verse eleven states, Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.  Ziba said that he would do as his lord the king commanded, just as we must do as God our Lord and king commands.  It was again stated that Mephibosheth would eat at David’s table as one of David's sons.  As followers of Christ, we may come from different statuses in life, but we are all God's children at His table.  Verse twelve adds,  And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth had a young son and Ziba and everyone who dwelt at his house were servants to Mephibosheth.  Verse thirteen adds, So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.  Though Saul’s land had been restored to him, Mephibosheth remained in Jerusalem and ate at the king’s table.  Though we are promised an everlasting home in heaven, in the meantime we must continue to do God's work here on earth, and we are especially to help the less fortunate I believe. 

2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1 says, And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?  David sought out anyone that remained of the house of Saul so that he could show kindness to him for Jonathan's sake.  Though he might have been doing it for Jonathan and not Saul, he was still looking to help someone who could claim to be an heir to the throne.  Still, he was doing what he felt was the right thing to do, and so should we even if in the eyes of the world it is possibly dangerous.  Verse two adds, And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.  They called Ziba, one of Saul's servants to David, and David asked him if he had been Saul’s servant.  Since Saul had been attempting to kill David,  this could have put Ziba in a bad situation, but he answered honestly that he had been Saul’s servant.  Even if it might be dangerous to us, we as Christians should always answer honestly when questioned, especially if we are asked if we are a servant of God.  Verse three continues, And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.  When David asked Ziba if any of Saul's house remained, he said Jonathan had one son who was lame.  His being Jonathan's son was likely especially good news to David, though his being unable to walk probably wasn't.   Sometimes, we have mixed blessings in life.  Verse four states, And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.  David asked Ziba where Jonathan's son was, and he told him.  He still could have been putting Jonathan's son in danger if David was lying about why he wanted to find him, but we have to assume that he trusted David.  Sometimes, we just have to assume that people, especially our fellow Christians, are telling us the truth and want what is best for others, even those who have been their enemies.  Verse five adds, Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.  David sent for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.  David brought him to his house.  What we as Christians need to do is bring others, not to our house, but to God's house.  There, we should all be equals.  Verse six continues, Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!  When Mephibosheth came to David, he fell on his face before him, whether out or respect or fear.  David called him by name and Mephibosheth said he was David’s servant.   He wasn't there to attemptto claim the throne or believingthat he was superior to David because of who his father and grandfather were..  We as Christians are called on not to be lords of others but to be a servant to them.

2 Samuel 8:9

 2 Samuel 8:9 says, When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,  Verse ten adds, Then 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:  After Toi, king if Hamath, heard about David defeating all the army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to David with gifts of vessels of silver, gold and brass,  This was in part because Hadadezer had been at war with Toi.  Since God through Jesus's sacrifice of Himself on the cross for our sins has defeated all our enemies as long as we accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord and live by faith in Him, we should give to God all that we have.  Verse eleven continues, Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;  David dedicated all these gifts to God, since God was really the One responsible for David’s victory.  I believe that since God is responsible for all our victories as Christians that we should dedicate everything that we have to Him.  Verse twelve concludes,  Of 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.  David had always dedicated the spoils gained by victory over his enemies to God, and so must we.  I don't believe that there should ever come a time when we think that what God blesses us with is ours to do with as we please.  Everything that we are and have should be dedicated to God.  Verse thirteen states, And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.  David became famous we would say for defeating the Syrians, who had numbered about eighteen thousand men.  We may never become famous for defeating our spiritual enemies today, but we shouldn't be doing it for our glory anyway.  We should always give God the glory for any success we have if we are living by faith in Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And 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.  David established garrisons throughout Edom, and the people of Edom became his servants.  When we defeat sin in our life today, we should establish strongholds through the power of the Holy Spirit to make sure that it never again has any power over us.  Verse fifteen continues, And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.  David now ruled over all of Israel, and he executed judgment and justice over the people of Israel under God's guidance.  We need to pray that the rulers over us today execute judgment and justice over us by God's guidance, even if we don't see it happening.  Verse sixteen says, And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;  We are told that Joab was over the host, or army, and that Jehoshaphat was the recorder.  David organized his people to help the kingdom run smoothly, and we should be organized as God's people today so that we all work together to accomplish God's work.  Verse seventeen adds, And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;  Next, we are told who the priests and scribe were.  We may not have much control over the civil authorities today, but we certainly should appoint leaders of the church under God's guidance.  Verse eighteen continues, And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.  Matthew Henry says these were either what he called city train-bands, who were the archers and those who used slings, or they were lifeguards, a standing force to protect David himself.  Though we are told Benaiah was appointed as their leader, we are also told that David’s sons were the chief rulers of them.  Matthew Henry says this kept David’s sons close to him so he could keep an eye on them.  As Christians, we should always be close to God as He keeps His eye on us.

2 Samuel 8:1

2 Samuel 8'1 says, And 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.  David began to subdue the enemies of Israel, starting with the Philistines.  He began to take back the land of Israel and some of their enemies land.  If we have surrendered something that God has given us spiritually to the enemy today, if we agree put our faith in Him, He will restore it, as it was really God through David’s faith in Him that was giving David victory.  Verse two adds, And 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.  Next, David  defeated the Moabites killing half of them.  He then drew a line down the middle of them and killed those on one side of the line and kept those on the other side as his servants.  Matthew Henry says that two*thirds were destroyed and one third was kept alive but that it was a full measure of mercy.  We must never be short in extending God's mercy to those we meet, even our enemies.  Verse three continues, David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates.  David next defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah as he continued to reclaim the land of Israel.  As followers of Christ we may not always recover things taken from us in this lifetime, but our everlasting victory is assured.  Verse four concludes, And 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.  Hadadezer  had been well armed, with a thousand chariots and at least seven hundred horsemen, though chapter eighteen, verse four puts the total number at seven thousand and twenty thousand foot soldiers, which David took.  He made the horses lame and the destroyed all but a hundred of the chariots.  Matthew Henry says David destroyed most of the chariots because his faith was in God and not the things of this world. Though Christians may be outnumbered and even outgunned, the victory is already ours daily if we remain faithful to Jesus Christ.  Of course, our everlasting victory can never be taken away from us.  Verse five states, And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.  When the Syrians came to the aid of Hadadezer, David killed twenty-two thousand of them.  We should not be surprised when those who are enemies of God come to the aid of one another, but we must also never forget that the everlasting victory is ours through our faith in Jesus Christ.  Verse six adds, Then 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.  David put garrisons in Syria and the Syrians became his servants while also bringing him gifts.  David was successful because God preserved him wherever he went.  As Christians, God has already preserved us as His, so we simply need to live by faith in Him.  Verse seven continues, And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.  David took the shields of gold from the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.  Verse eight concludes, And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass.  David also took a lot of brass from the cities of Hadadezer.  These were now his by right of the spoils of war.  Still, we are never to be at war with the world today as Christians for material gains.  We are to do everything for the glory of God and His eternal kingdom instead.