
God Gives the Victory
2 Samuel 8:1-18
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor
Big Idea: When we trust in God’s promises, we will see His victory in our lives.
2 Samuel 8:1-18
1 After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. 3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates. 4 And David took from him 1,700 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses but left enough for 100 chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer 10 Toi sent his son Joram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Hadadezer had often been at war with Toi. And Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold, and of bronze. 11 These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he dedicated from all the nations he subdued 12 from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 14 Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 15 So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests.
I. God is Faithful to Keep His Promises
A. David is a gifted warrior and wise king, but this chapter is more than a list of his military victories and administrative skills, it’s a reminder that God is faithful to keep His promises and that He is the one who gives victory (vv. 6, 14).
B. We see God keep His promises:
1. To David personally (cf. 2 Sam. 7:8).
2 Samuel 7:8
8 Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.
2. To David’s house (cf. 2 Sam. 7:12-13; cf. Lk. 1:31-33).
2 Samuel 7:12-13
12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
Luke 1:31-33
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
C. This chapter also reminds us that we, too, can trust that God will fulfill all His promises. Indeed, all His promises find their ultimate fulfilment in Messiah Jesus (see 2 Cor. 1:20). But it is important to distinguish a general promise (cf. 1 Jn. 1:9) from a specific promise (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:5). A few principles to consider:
2 Corinthians 1:20
20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Kings 9:5
5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
1. Look for the if (cf. 1 Jn. 1:9).
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Consider the context (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:5).
1 Kings 9:5
5 then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
3. Remember God’s sovereignty.
II. God is Faithful to Give the Victory
A. David is clearly an effective leader and smart military strategist, but his real strength lies in his faith in God and in His presence and power. David’s obedience reflects a trust that God keeps His Word and that He will provide the victory.
B. It is important to see David’s victories through the lens of God’s covenant promises to Abraham (see Gen. 12, 15), Moses (see Deut. 27-30), and David (see 2 Sam. 7). God works through David’s obedience to capture the promised land and recover the land lost by Saul to the benefit and blessing of Israel (cf. Deut. 11:24; 1 Kgs. 4:20-21).
Deuteronomy 11:24
24 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea.
1 Kings 4:20-21
20 Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
C. When we trust God to keep His promises and we hold fast to Messiah Jesus as Lord and Savior, we too can experience victorious Christian living (cf. 1 Jn. 5:4-5; 1 Cor. 15:57-58).
1 John 5:4-5
4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.