OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. DAVID SUBDUES THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL - (8:1-13)

II. "...AND THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID..." - (8:14-18)

III. DAVID FETCHES MEPHIBOSHETH - (9:1-6)

IV. THE GRACE OF GOD ILLUSTRATED IN DAVID'S DEALINGS WITH MEPHIBOSHETH - (9:7-13)

I. DAVID SUBDUES THE ENEMIES OF ISRAEL - (8:1-13)

The companion passage from our study is (1 Chron. 18:1ff).

The words "And after this" project us back into the previous chapter. In that passage David is in close communion with the Lord. Hitherto David has been assailed again and again by his surrounding enemies. In chapter seven, as we pointed out, David is granted a brief respite from his battles.

The rest serves a dual purpose. Not only does David get a "breather," but he has an opportunity to gather strength for the battles to come. This type of communion with the Lord is designed to animate us for the discharge of our Christian duties.

Comparing the passage with First Chronicles we learn that Metheg-ammah is "Gath and her towns." To this point in history, it had been the Philistines who initiated the military offenses against the Israelites in the majority of their altercations, now David becomes the aggressor.

The battles of this chapter inspirationally represent the battles that a Christian must face. "If it isn't one thing, it's another!" David is here to be viewed as a Christian who is menaced by powerful, relentless, persistent foes both within and without. The principle is that before we are fitted to engage our spiritual enemies, we must first spend a season in communion with God.

"And he smote Moab" (vs. 2). In (Gen. 19:36, 37) we learn that Moab was the incestuous son of Lot. Their territory was adjacent to the land of Canaan, the Jordan dividing them (Num. 22:1; 31:12). It was Balak the king of the Moabites who hired Balaam to curse Israel (Num. 22:4,5). Moab's daughters were a snare to the sons of Israel (Num. 25:1). God used the Moabites as one of His scourges upon His wayward people in the days of the Judges (3:1214). No Moabite was allowed to enter into the congregation of the Lord unto the tenth generation (Deut. 23:3). It was foretold that Christ would smite them (Num. 24:17). In the last reference to them in Scripture we read, "Surely Moab shall be as Sodom" (Zeph. 2:9).

From these facts it is clear that the Moabites were a menace to Israel. Typically Moab pictures the church bordering world, ever inviting the people of God to leave their heritage.

David is merciless upon these Moabites as he forms two lines, one arbitrarily condemned to execution, the other to be Israel's servants.

We are reminded in (vs. 3) that the original land grant given to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, goes far beyond Israel's 20th century borders. See also: (Isa. 27:12; Josh. 1:3,4; Num. 34:1-29; Deut. 11:24; 1 Ki. 8:65).

"David houghed all the chariot horses ... (vs. 4), "houghed" means he cut the hamstrings or hocked the horses. Israel was warned about horses and acquiring them in (Deut 17:16).

(Vs. 11) - while David destroyed the idols, he dedicated to God all the vessels of silver and gold which he took from his enemies. So while the Christian strives to mortify every lust, he must consecrate unto the Lord all his natural and spiritual endowments.

"And David got him a name" (reputation, 2 Sam. 7:9) when ... in the valley of salt" (vs. 13), (2 Ki. 14:7; 1 Chron. 18:12).

 

II. "...AND THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID..." - (8:14-18)

Certainly David realized as we today, that he was extremely successful because the Lord had providentially guided and protected him as the anointed one, "whithersoever he went."

The kingdom borders extended from the land of Edom, south of Israel, to present day Syria to the North and Northeast. The land that Israel possesses today is but a small portion of her Millennial inheritance.

The reign of David pictures the reign of Messiah in the Millennium in judgment and justice, this is the judicial system called the rod of iron." Grace is available today, the "rod" will have to be reckoned with then!

A list of David's cabinet closes the chapter, Joab, Jehoshaphat, Zadok, Ahimelech, Seraiah, Benaiah, and David's sons.

The Cherethites and the Pelethites are David's house or body guard. They are probably a remnant of his original 400 (1 Sam. 22:2). Other references (2 Sam. 15:18; Zeph. 2:5; 2 Sam. 20:7,23).

 

III. DAVID FETCHES MEPHIBOSHETH - (9:1-6)

The chapter contains one of the greatest illustrations of the grace of God in the Word of God.

The typology is as follows: David pictures God the Father; Jonathan, God the Son; Ziba, the Holy Spirit; Mephibosheth, the lost sinner; Saul, the Devil. Mephibosheth is of the house of Saul. David wishing to keep his covenant "for Jonathan's sake" seeks out Mephibosheth who is totally unworthy of any recognition or benevolence on the part of the king. Yet, because of David's oath to Jonathan, he does everything in his power to fulfill his commitment. Though there was nothing whatever in Saul's survivor to commend him unto the royal favor, David found a reason outside of him, in that bond of love and friendship, which existed between his own heart and Jonathan's; see (Eph. 4:32)!

''Mephibosheth" means "a shameful thing" or "dispeller of shame." He is first mentioned in (2 Sam. 4:4) where we learn the cause of his lameness. He is called Merib-baal in (1 Chron. 8:34;9:40).

"Lo-debar" means "not a word." This is significant in that the promise was not realized by the sinner (Mephibosheth) until the word was sent to him.

 

IV. THE GRACE OF GOD ILLUSTRATED IN DAVID'S DEALINGS WITH MEPHIBOSHETH - (9:7-13)

First, Grace is kindness for the sake of another, (Eph. 4:32; (vss. 3,7).

Secondly, Grace is kindness that goes out to find the sinner, (Lk. 19:10; (vs. 5).

Thirdly, Grace is kindness that is undeserved, (Rom. 5:10; (vs. 8).

Fourthly, Grace is kindness that gives freely, (Rom. 3:24; 5:15,16; 6:23; (vss. 7,13).

Fifthly, Grace is kindness that brings conviction, (Jn. 16:9-11; (vs. 8) "a dead dog as I am." (1 Sam. 24:14; 2 Sam. 3:8).

Sixthly, Grace is kindness that goes to work for others, (Eph. 2:10; (vs. 10).

Lastly, Grace is kindness that is never withdrawn, (Jn. 5:24; (vs. 13).