Conqueror (2 Samuel 8)

Was David a conqueror? Are we meant to be conquerors, of our own sinful flesh through Christ? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 8.

Did David conquer the Philistines and Moabites and as far as the Euphrates River?

And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah [an important city, perhaps Gath] out of the hand of the Philistines. And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines [two groups] measured he to put to death, and with one full line [one group] to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts. David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed [crippled] all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. (2 Samuel 8:1-4 KJV)

Did David also conquer the Arameans of Damascus?

Then the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer, king of Zobah. And David struck down 22,000 Arameans. Then David placed garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And Yahweh granted salvation to David wherever he went. And David took the small shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. Also from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a very large amount of bronze. (2 Samuel 8:4-8 LSB)

Did David dedicate gifts from foreign kings and spoils from conquered nations to God?

Now when Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer, Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and bless him, because he had fought Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, gold, and bronze. King David also consecrated these gifts to the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had consecrated from all the nations which he had subdued: from Aram, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoils of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. So David made a name for himself when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Arameans in the Valley of Salt. He also put garrisons in Edom. In all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the Lord helped David wherever he went. (2 Samuel 8:9-14 NASB)

Who were some of David’s notable officials in the temple, government and military?

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests. (2 Samuel 8:15-18 NIV)

Is our purpose also conquest, but of our own sinful flesh through Christ?

As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:36-39 NKJV)

Was David a conqueror? Are we meant to be conquerors, of our own sinful flesh through Christ? You decide!