David at the Height of his Reign

INTRODUCTION: This lesson finds David at the height of his reign with everything going well. Chapter eight tells of multiple victories on the field with the nations around David serving him and bringing him tribute. Chapter nine speaks of a great spiritual victory when he lifts the grandson of his enemy to a place of blessing and prominence.  David’s kindness to Mephibosheth is one of the great stories of the Bible. It is a picture of the grace shown to us in salvation and subsequent blessings.

1. MILITARY VICTORIES (2 Samuel 8:1-18)
1. Victories over Perennial Enemies (2 Samuel 8:1-2)
1. Over the Philistines (2 Samuel 8:1)
1. He subdued them.
2. He took Metheg-ammah.
2. Over Moab (2 Samuel 8:2)
1. He measured them with a line.
1. He cast them down to the ground; that is, he utterly conquered them.
2. He divided them into three groups.
1. Two thirds were killed.
2. One third was allowed to live.
3. Why Moab?
1. Moab had been the home of his great grandmother Ruth (Ruth 1:1-4; Ruth 4:17-22).
2. During Davids exile, he had left his parents in Moab (1 Samuel 22:3-4).
3. Evidently, Moab had turned against David. Jewish tradition says that they killed his parents.
2. They became his servants and brought gifts.
2. Victories over the Syrians (2 Samuel 8:3-8)
1. He smote Hadadezer of Zobah (2 Samuel 8:3-4).
1. He recovered the border at the Euphrates (2 Samuel 8:3; Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24).
2. David destroyed his chariot horses (2 Samuel 8:4). Houghed (same as hock) means that they disabled the horses by cutting the tendon at the back of the hind leg.
3. David reserved horses for a 100 chariots (2 Samuel 8:4).
2. He smote the Syrians of Damascus (2 Samuel 8:5-6).
1. The Syrians came to aid Hadadezer (2 Samuel 8:5).
2. David slew 22,000 Syrian soldiers (2 Samuel 8:5).
3. David set up garrisons in Syria (2 Samuel 8:6).
4. The Syrians paid tribute to David (2 Samuel 8:6).
5. The Lord preserved David wherever he went (2 Samuel 8:6).
3. He took the spoils of his victories (2 Samuel 8:7-8).
1. Shields of gold (2 Samuel 8:7)
2. Exceeding much brass (2 Samuel 8:8)
3. Ascendancy over Hamath and Others (2 Samuel 8:9-14)
1. Toi, of Hamath, sent tribute to David (2 Samuel 8:9-10).
1. Toi heard of Davids victory (2 Samuel 8:9).
2. Toi sent his son Joram with gifts (2 Samuel 8:10).
2. David established in the land (2 Samuel 8:11-14)
1. He dedicated the silver and gold to the Lord (2 Samuel 8:11).
2. He received gifts from many nations (2 Samuel 8:12).
3. He got a name from smiting the Syrians (2 Samuel 8:13).
1. In the valley of salt
2. Smiting 18,000 men
4. He put up garrisons in Edom (2 Samuel 8:14).
4. The Reign of David over Israel (2 Samuel 8:15-18)
1. He executed judgment and justice to all his people (2 Samuel 8:15).
2. He established his leaders (2 Samuel 8:16-18).
1. Joab was the captain of his host (2 Samuel 8:16).
2. Jehoshaphat was his recorder (2 Samuel 8:16).
3. Zadok and Ahimelech were the priests (2 Samuel 8:17).
4. Seraiah was the scribe (2 Samuel 8:17).
5. Benaiah was over his special forces (2 Samuel 8:18).
6. His sons were chief rulers (2 Samuel 8:18).
2. SPIRITUAL VICTORIES (2 Samuel 9:1-13)
1. David Sought for Any of the House of Saul (2 Samuel 9:1).
1. His covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:11-17)
2. His remembrance of that covenant (2 Samuel 9:1)
2. David Searched for a Seed (2 Samuel 9:2-4).
1. He inquired of Ziba (2 Samuel 9:2-3; see Luke 14:16-23).
2. Ziba led him to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:3-4); lame on his feet.
3. Name meanings in this passage:
1. Ammiel means people of God.
2. Machir means sold.
3. Lo-debar means no pasture (see Ephesians 2:12).
3. David Sent for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:5-6).
1. He fetched him out of Lo-debar (2 Samuel 9:5; see Psalm 40:2).
2. Mephibosheth did reverence to David (2 Samuel 9:6; see Luke 18:13).
3. Mephibosheth presented himself as a servant (2 Samuel 9:6; see Matthew 23:11-12).
4. Mephibosheth means exterminator of shame.  He is the seventh person mentioned in the chapter and he is mentioned seven times.
4. David Showed Kindess to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:7-8).
1. For Jonathans sake (2 Samuel 9:7; see Isaiah 53:4-6)
2. His restored inheritance (2 Samuel 9:7; see Romans 8:16-18)
3. His place at Davids table (2 Samuel 9:7; see Psalm 23:5)
4. His spirit of humility (2 Samuel 9:8); a dead dog
5. David Served Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:9-12).
1. He appointed Ziba to serve him (2 Samuel 9:9-10; see Hebrews 1:13-14).
2. He assured a harvest for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:10-11; see 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9).
6. David Showered Blessings on Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:10).
1. A harvest and a place at his table
2. He gave him 70 feet to replace his lame ones Ziba had 15 sons and 20 servants who were to serve Mephibosheth (35 x 2 = 70).
7. David Secured a Place for Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:13).
1. Dwelling in Jerusalem (see John 14:1-3)
2. Eating continually at Davids table (see Psalm 23:6)
3. Still lame on both feet still no merit of his own!!!

CONCLUSION: The hand of God is on the life of David in every way. He is experiencing victory in physical and spiritual areas. At this point, it appears as though nothing could be any better in his life.