2 Samuel

2 Samuel 8: The LORD gives victory

Begin in prayer

Before we read about David’s victories, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He gives victory, and to help us give Him the glory for every good thing He sends.

You are he who gives salvation to kings, who rescues David, his servant, from the deadly sword.

Psalm 144:10

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You give victory wherever Your king goes, and show us Jesus, the greater King. Help us to give You the glory for every good gift. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David wins battles against the Philistines, the Moabites, Hadadezer of Zobah and the Syrians of Damascus. The Moabites and the Syrians become servants and bring tribute. David takes gold shields and great quantities of bronze, and Toi king of Hamath sends gifts to bless him. David dedicates the silver and gold to the LORD. He strikes the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and he reigns over all Israel, executing justice and righteousness.

As you read 2 Samuel 8, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives His king victory wherever he goes.

David now fights the nations around Israel (verses 1 to 3). He strikes the Philistines, and he makes the Moabites and the Syrians servants who bring tribute (verses 1, 2 and 6). Twice the chapter says the LORD gave David victory wherever he went (verses 6 and 14). David takes gold shields and bronze from the cities of Hadadezer (verses 7 and 8). He dedicates the silver and gold to the LORD, so the riches of war are given back to God (verse 11). He reigns over all Israel and does justice and righteousness for all his people (verse 15). Joab leads the army, and priests and officers serve the king (verses 16 to 18). David is a king the LORD helps, but he is not the final King. Jesus, the Son of David, reigns in righteousness forever (Isaiah 9 verse 7).

How does 2 Samuel 8 show us that the LORD gives His king victory wherever he goes?

The LORD gives David victory wherever he goes.

David strikes the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians and the Edomites (verses 1, 2, 5 and 13). The Moabites and the Syrians become servants and bring tribute (verses 2 and 6). The text says the LORD gave David victory wherever he went (verses 6 and 14).

David gives the victories back to the LORD.

He dedicates the silver and gold from the nations to the LORD (verse 11). He takes gold shields and bronze from Hadadezer’s cities (verses 7 and 8). Toi king of Hamath sends gifts to bless him, because David defeated his enemy (verses 9 and 10).

David rules with justice and righteousness.

David reigns over all Israel and executes justice and righteousness for his people (verse 15). Joab leads the army, and priests and officers serve around the king (verses 16 to 18). Christ is the greater King, who reigns with justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9 verse 7).

Memorise

Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

2 Samuel 8:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I have that I did not receive, and who gave it to me?

David won battle after battle, and the LORD gave him victory wherever he went. David gave the silver and gold back to the LORD, and he ruled with justice and righteousness. Yet David was not the final King, because Jesus, the Son of David, is.

Jesus reigns in righteousness forever. On the cross He took the place of sinners and died for His people. Nothing is missing from what He did there. He was buried, and on the first day of the week He rose. Now He reigns over all things.

So come to Him, the King who reigns in righteousness. Turn from your sin and trust Him. All who trust Him are made clean, and they share in His victory.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave David victory, and that David gave the glory back to the LORD. Parents, please explain in your own words the war with Moab in verse 2. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the victory He gives His King, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh! How greatly he rejoices in your salvation!

Psalm 21:1

Lord God, thank You that You give victory to Your King wherever He goes. Draw each heart here away from sin to trust Jesus. Help us to give You the glory in all we do this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.