Today's Reading:

2 Samuel 8
2 Samuel 9
1 Chronicles 18

David did not forget the promise he had made to Jonathan, even after Jonathan’s death. This showed David’s loyal character. Ziba had been Saul’s servant, and now he served the new king, David. When David asked if any of Saul’s relatives were still alive, Ziba mentioned that Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, was still living. He noted that Mephibosheth was lame in both feet and that he lived far away in Lo Debar, to subtly let David know he was not a threat to the throne. Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father, Jonathan, died.

David restored to him the land that had belonged to his grandfather Saul and gave him a permanent place at the king’s table. This was an act of kindness and grace that Mephibosheth had not earned. Mephibosheth bowed down before David, showing him honor. He had nothing of his own, yet David gave him property, land, and long-term care so he could live a blessed life. The Scripture even notes that Mephibosheth had a son named Mica, showing that Jonathan’s family line continued.

This story is the fulfillment of David’s promise to show kindness to Saul’s house (1 Samuel 20:14-15, 20:42).

David showed kindness to Mephibosheth, a man who was lame, living in hiding, and from the family of his enemies, only because he made a promise to Jonathan years earlier. When has someone shown you unexpected kindness or grace that you did not earn or deserve? How did that moment affect you?

 

David was battling to expand the kingdom God had given him. He defeated the Philistines, then turned to the Moabites. Remember, the Moabites were descendants of Lot, and Ruth the Moabite had become part of God’s people when she married Boaz.

In 2 Samuel 8:2, David defeated the Moabites and measured them with a line. He put two lines to death and spared one full line alive. It was an act of mercy, not an “eenie meenie miney moe” decision. It was a deliberate method used in ancient warfare for every two lengths of rope, those men were put to death, and the other one length were spared. In those days, it was common for the winning army to completely destroy the defeated people to prevent future rebellion. David’s choice showed a small amount of mercy.

Next, David defeated Hadadezer, king of Zobah. Hadadezer means “Hadad is my help.” Hadad was the chief Aramean deity, similar to the Canaanites worshipping Baal. David struck down Hadadezer’s army, captured a thousand chariots, and hamstrung most of the horses (cutting the tendons in their back legs so they could no longer be used in battle). This followed the Lord’s instruction in Deuteronomy 17:16 that Israel’s kings should not accumulate large numbers of horses.

The Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer but were also defeated. They became tributaries to Israel, subject to David and required to pay tribute. David took the gold shields and bronze items as plunder. Later, these items were used in the construction of the Temple (see 1 Chronicles 18:8). When Tou (king of Hamath) heard of David’s victories, he sent his son Joram with gifts of gold and silver as tribute, to gain a political alliance, showing David had the superior power. David dedicated all the plunder to the Lord.

In verse 14, David placed garrisons throughout the region to secure the territory. While 2 Samuel 8 focuses heavily on these military triumphs, the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 18 shifts focus and leaves out some personal stories (such as David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in the following chapter). However, Mephibosheth is not completely left out of Chronicles; he is in the genealogy records (1 Chronicles 8:34 and 9:40).

Here is a quick list of important people we will meet again in the Scripture:

• Joab- Commander of David’s army. He later killed David’s son Absalom against David’s clear orders (2 Samuel 18).
• Zadok- A loyal priest who eventually anointed Solomon as king (1 Kings 1:32-39). The primary priestly line would come through him.
• Ahimelech- Priest who helped David earlier in his fugitive years.
• Benaiah- One of David’s elite warriors and a trusted enforcer. He sided with Solomon and was promoted to commander of the army in Joab’s place (1 Kings 2:35).
• Jehoshaphat- David’s recorder (royal historian). He was promoted to a high official under Solomon (1 Kings 4:3).

Today's Discussion question: 

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