David expand the empire and shows kindness to Mephibosheth
David had already ruled most of Israel, but now takes power away from the western coastal strongholds of the Philistines. He also ruled over Moab to the east – even to the Euphrates. As such his kingdom extends to the greatest it has been in Israel’s history. He keeps his promise to the house of Jonathon.
2 Samuel 8: David's Victories
1 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
David's Officials
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, and David's sons were priests.
2 Samuel 9: David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
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.
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?"
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.
Things to think about…
1. In 2Sam 8:1-14 we see David extending his kingdom to the borders that were given by the Lord initially to Abram (Abraham) in Gen 15:18 “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, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.” These borders at this time in Israel’s history were from the Nile River in Egypt to the Euphrates River in the west. Israel has never seen their land extend to these borders in 3000 years. Prophecy tells us that in the Millennial kingdom the borders of the Messiah will include a border with the Nile but not the Euphrates River. The eastern border will be along the Jordan including the Dead Sea, Ezek 47:13-20.
2. David is confirming he was in fact ‘a man of blood’ and in 2 Sam 8:13 it says 18000 Edomites were killed. As such he would not be given the privilege of building the Temple of the Lord. However David was a gifted administrator of the order of Joseph. It says “So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people”, 2Sam 8:15. David’s greater Son the Lord Jesus Christ of course is the One who administers with sinless perfection.
3. Even though David was a man of war, he still honoured the memory and covenant he had made with Jonathon, 2Sam 9:1. This chapter is a wonderful testament how David looks after disabled Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathon, the son of Saul. Mephibosheth now eats at David’s table and is given an inheritance. Like Mephibosheth, we are lame, but with sin. We also have an inheritance and by God’s grace we have the privilege to eat at his table even into eternity.
4. We know later that the arrangement David had come to between Mephibosheth and his servant Ziba would be thrown into turmoil when David returned from fleeing from his son Absalom. Ziba it seems wanted to own the land rather than remain a servant of Saul’s household. David grants that right, but allows Mephibosheth to remain at David’s table. If we eat with Jesus in His house, what other inheritance do we need.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
The reading for Sunday came from 2 Samuel 5.
1. David had finally realised the promise given to him about 22 years earlier by the prophet Samuel. The Lord calls people into areas where they can bring Him glory. Do you know that your present roles, responsibilities are being directed by the Lord? Are you experiencing His leading and blessing over your life?
2. Obeying the Lord’s will and staying faithful always involves a fight against our own sin and often the sin of others. Are you seeing victories in your own battles and those that come against you?
3. Even after David was made king of all of Israel he had just as many battles as he had before. He fought over Jerusalem, then twice against the Philistines. It was then that he started to get comfortable. What moral failures in David do we begin to see from the passage? Is material blessing always good? How do we keep it in balance, so we hold the right tension of honouring the Lord and enjoying His abundance?
4. Pray for our city and each other that God’s people will reflect love, truth and grace while maintaining a right understanding of using the battle armour and spiritual warfare that Paul speaks about in Ephesians 6..
Prayer Points
1. Clarity of life and freedoms through to the end of the year.
2. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points.
1. Ability to meet, albeit it virtually online.
2. The unity and grace on display at CBC.
Announcements
1. Members’ meeting 15 Aug after thew morning service– assuming no lockdowns, and the freedom to do so.
2. PlayPatch for toddlers at church, Fridays 9:30-11am. Please get the word out. See Maddison for details. Not this week due to lockdown.
3. Recharge Youth – 6:30-8:30pm. Parents please download the app that Melinda has sent so your kids can join in online at 7pm tonight.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
