9/15/91, pm
V. 1.
Here David delivers God's people from the hands of their enemies.
Notice here that he delivers them first of all out of the hands
of the Philistines. Samson began to deliver Israel out of the
hand of the Philistines, (Jud. 13:5), but it took David to finnish
the job.
For us: We might be able to start to deliver ourselves out of the Philistines hand, but it will take the Son of David working in us to finnish the job. The world's methods might start to deliver a person from the enemy which is out to destroy them, but only Christ can set them completely free.
How many people who have been on drugs went through DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, AA included, and were set free, yet were back into the mess within a few years? Christ only can complete the job which natural means can only start.
V. 2, And he smote Moab. Here he kills 2/3 of their fighting men. Moab had shown kindness to David in the past (1 Sam. 22:3, 4). Why was David so hard on them here? Really it doesn't say, other than this would fulfill the prophecy of Balaam, Num. 24:17.
1. David had two lines marked for death, and one line to save alive. The same gospel is both a message of death and a message of live. It depends upon which line the person is in.
2. David chose which line to save alive and which to kill. The choice was not the Moabite's. All of the letters of Paul start by pointing to the marvelous grace of God that is found in Christ Jesus. He reminds us that the Lord chose us not for any goodness on our part.
3. Those left alive became David's servants, and brought him gifts. Those who have been spared the eternal death which awaits the sinner are to be willing servants of the Son of David. According to Romans 12:1, the gift we are to bring to him is our bodies.
Vs. 3-8 Here we have a list of subdued enemies as David continues to bring the promised land under control.
God had promised this land to Israel, but it required sustained warfare to take it and keep it. Not only warfare against the heathen around them, but war against sin within. The war which they lost was the war against sin. David, the mighty man of war, lost the inner war.
David here makes the war horses useless, except for 100. Do we see here a creeping in of the world's means of safety and power as David saves the 100? David had a few horses and women. His son Solomon had many.
God's people were forbidden to have horses for battle, Deut. 17:16. God wanted them to depend on Him for their safety and victory, not on the world's means.
The corresponding passage is 1 Chron. 18:4. There we are told that David took 7000 horsemen, which is probably closer to the true number, because he took 20,000 footmen. Regardless, v. 6 of both passages makes it clear, David depended on the Lord and the Lord preserved him.
For us: I believe that the main thing we are to gather from this account of David's victory is that no matter how strong the enemy is, the people of God depending on the Lord, will have the victory.
This many chariots, horsemen and footmen would have been a very formidable enemy against an army that was on foot, but the victory was the Lord's. I have used this verse often, but it gives the principle which we are talking about the best. Pro. 21:31. Whether it is building a strong family or a strong nation, the principle is the same, the foundation of godly obedience is the only thing which will produce lasting results and victory over the enemies of God.
V. 5 makes an interesting point. When the king of Syria came to help the king of Zodah, David slew the Syrians. Obviously, we had better be careful who we side with, or we will be destroyed with them.
If we side with those who are at war with King Jesus, we will parish with them.
Vs. 9-18. Just some points here:
1. Vs. 9, 10. I have found this out that when we stand for godliness and have victory, there are people outside of the faith who will rejoice with us. Some of the enemies which God will give victory over are their enemies also.
2. Vs. 11, 12, David, realizing who gave him the victory, dedicated the wealth which came in to the Lord.
3. V. 13 follows vs. 11, 12. We see that David dedicated the god of this world to the Lord God. The result is that God gave him a name above all the names of his day. This sure sounds like Ph. 2:9.
Of course, the lesson for us is that if we will put God in His rightful place and ourselves in the right place and remember that the victory is from the Lord, the Lord just may see fit to give us a good name among the world also.
But many professed Christians are more worried about gaining a name for themselves than in subduing the enemies of God, for the kingdom and glory of God.
We need to just be faithful in doing right according to the word of God, depending upon Him to do with us as He sees fit.
9/22/91
4. Those subject to David brought him gifts, both because they had to and some wanted to, v. 10. When the Son of David sets upon His throne in the New Jerusalem, all nations will bring their glory and honour to Him, Rev. 21:24.
5. David (2 Sam. 5:21) burnt their idols, gods and images of gold, but dedicated their vessels to the Lord, v.11. The Lord wants us to burn our images, casting out anything that would hinder our service for Him or that opposes His reign in our life and dedicate our vessels to Him, Rom. 12:1..
6. V. 14 again the Lord is his strength and shield. The indication here is that David led his armies into battle. As long as we are doing the Lord's will and work, we can claim the same protection and safety. We are indestructible as long as we are in His will, but when we get doing our own thing, then we are on our own.
The same principles that once protected us will become our messenger of death.
7. Also here in v. 14, the Lord preserved David wheresoever he went. No doubt David knew that his protection was of the Lord. He wrote many Psalms which reflect this knowledge.
8. V. 15, judgment and justice unto all.. Psalms 119, though not identified as being written by David, shows us where he got the wisdom to reign like this. This is the purpose of civil government, to provide judgment and justice unto the people. It is impossible to have justice in the realm of civil law apart from God's law. God, God's word and law alone will provide justice and proper judgment.
Two quick points here:
1. Do we 'rule' in our realms of dominion according to justice and judgment? Are we right and just in our decisions, with those under our authority, even those who might be under us on our jobs. How about in our homes?
Are we known for being fair, and by fair I mean just according to what would please God in a given situation?
2. Even though we do not yet see the Son of David in His glory at the right hand of the Father which He has in Eph. 1 & 2, we know He is there. We know by faith He is even now at the right hand of the Father, executing judgment and justice unto all his people. Man is using every means he can come up with to avoid this justice, but the judgment against sin is there.
And of course, we will see Him in that day in His beauty on His throne. At that day, no one will be able to say to Him that He was unjust in any way. Maybe 'unjust' is the fact that we justly deserved a lot more than His mercy permitted to come our way.
Really, I don't want justice, I want mercy.
September 29, 1991
9. V. 16-18, we have a list of David's officers.
Some points here.
1. He had someone for every office. The Son of David gives different gifts for different areas of responsibility in His kingdom. Romans 12 describes them.
The power to use these gifts is only given as the person:
A. Burns the false gods that hinder our service, or oppose
His lordship over our lives.
B. Dedicate our vessel to Him.
2. Every office was filled. He had workers where workers were
needed.
3. Notice the chief offices here in David's kingdom.
a. The head of the army, or commander-in-chief. The kingdom of David had battles to be fought, and men to fight them
b. The recorder, or remembrancer or writer of the chronicles. A historian. But, this office is more than that. Not only did this office record the most important incidents and affairs of the nation, this man kept a record of everything that took place in the kingdom and kept the king informed.
c. The priest, or the one who led in the worship of Jehovah God.
e. The scribe, or the secretary of State. Among his responsibilities was the duty of mustering the troops in the time of need, although this was not a military office.
f. V. 18, over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites. These were the king's body guards and messengers, or runners (as we are). They were responsible for taking the king's orders were delivered throughout the kingdom when needed. They also carried out the death sentence against the criminals.
As I look at these offices, I am reminded of the importance of the historian. It is important to have an honest factual history of a nation. In fact, history is a religious activity. It is either Christian and honest, or non Christian and deceitful with a social purpose of remaking society. How can society be remade by history? By presenting either slanted facts or totally dishonest facts surrounding circumstances.
A good example of this is the Civil War. It is presented as a slavery issue which is totally untrue. It was an issue over big centralized government over small local government. The small local government lost. Of course, we do not hear about this.
Here under King David, these were all religious offices.
Then last of all, v. 18.
David's sons were chief rulers. As we are faithful over the things which the Lord has given us to do, faithful in using the gifts which He has provided for His glory and not ours, then he will make us ruler over many, Rev. 1:6. There are many parables which deal with this.
1> Burn the false gods on the alter to Him.
2> Dedicate our vessel to Him and His service.
3> He will give us the gifts which please Him, that will most
effectively advance His kingdom and the power of His Spirit to
use that gift.
4> As we are faithful He may see fit to raise us up even here
on this earth and our faithfulness will also decide the position
we will rule in His kingdom.