When You Are Winning Series

Series: Israel’s 2nd King- David [#23]

WHEN YOU ARE WINNING

2 Samuel 8:1-14

Introduction:

As King of Israel, David had made Jerusalem the Capital City; and had brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. God was greatly blessing David and Jerusalem; but David’s work was not done. The enemies of Israel were still around and David had to deal with them. The events of Chapter 8 took place before the events of Chapter 7.

We all have enemies and at times, it seems like you will never win; but that is not true. God gives us victory over our enemies- We just need to be patient and wait upon Him.

2 Samuel 8:1

David defeated…

1. The Philistines.

The Philistines had been an enemy of King Saul’s and King David’s for a long time. While King Saul had a large enough army to destroy the Philistines, it never happened. In fact, it was the Philistines who killed King Saul. Although David had killed Goliath, the Philistines were still the giant that Israel could not seem to get rid of. King Saul continued to fail in his battles with the Philistines because he tried to defeat them on his own, with human methods- David had victory over them because he did it God’s way.

What giants are in your life that you cannot seem to defeat? This enemy is always around, seemingly undefeatable; but there is victory if you do it God’s way. Obedience and patience is what is required.

2 Samuel 8:2

David defeated…

2. The Moabites.

King Saul had attacked the Moabites; but had not defeated them. This is 1 of those times in the Bible that do not make complete sense. Why would David treat the Moabites so harshly? It does not seem to make sense. David’s great-grandmother Ruth was a Moabite. David had trusted his parents in the care of the Moabites. So why did he do what he did? David was claiming for the Israelites what was rightfully theirs- The land. David wanted to make sure that the Nation of Israel received everything that God had intended them to have.

God has made many promises to those who follow Him. He gives us safety, protection, blessing, power, and many other things; but God never said that this would be easy. Christians must wage war against the enemy. The enemy is trying to rob you of God’s promises.

2 Samuel 8:3-14

David defeated…

3. The Aramaeans and the Edomites.

After defeating the Philistines and Moabites; David turned his attention to the Aramaeans, (the Syrians). David easily defeated the Aramaeans and the Edomites. From those victories, David gathered more men, more chariots, and more valuables. David acquired gold shields, bronze, and many other items of value. David added all of this to his other plunder and later, Solomon placed all of this in the treasury of the Temple. I want to point out that out of the many horses David could have taken, he only took 100. Why? He was being obedient to God’s law that said a King could not horde horses. He also took his possessions and gave them to God.

Some battles seem easy; but these are the battles you need to pay the most attention to. David had to be careful that he didn’t take these victories for granted, and he had to remember that these victories came from God. He had to handle the plunder from these victories in a way that pleased God.

Conclusion:

Christians, how do you handle things when you are winning?