2 Samuel 8b Commentary
Chapter 8 is a significant milestone, comparable to the heights of the promises made in Chapter 7.
It feels like school is ended. You wish the story ended here! But what we have is a sum total of David’s life. We have a number of details to cover in the coming chapters.
At times, you want to investigate the scripture to see how God’s promises worked.
In Genesis 12, God promises Abraham land and greatness. Not too long after (Genesis 14), we see Abraham’s “300” men defeat 4 powerful kings. The four kings had 5 other kings under them.
It’s after the defeat of these kings that Melchizedek meets Abraham. But look at the physical evidence of the blessing!
Joshua’s triumphant entry into Canaan is yet another point of greatness. Joshua 12.
Now we have Chapter 8, all about David’s greatness. It’s the greatness of a blessed people!
But the main line concerns God’s house. It’s not for David’s soiled hands to build. The blessing would pass on to “Solomon”. But we know Solomon isn’t the son in question.
So biblical history concerned itself with far more important matters than what the realities on the ground represented.
But what generosity that the LORD God still grants shadows and models a place in history! It’s like a teacher who divides oranges between two boys to teach division. But these oranges are real, and the boys have a meal at the end of the day!
Bear in mind the two items: Land and dominion. There is land, and there is also an issue of dominion, or freedom from enslavement. In any economy, land is an important factor of production. It sits at the base. It’s a launch pad for prosperity! And in the real estate business, it is the wealth by itself!
We have expansion. Believers are called to a life of both freedom and expansion.
As king, David is actually Israel’s leader/judge. Think of the judges of Israel like Samson. Think of how the Spirit of the LORD empowered them to save Israel at critical points in the history of the nation.
Think of how the Spirit of the LORD would empower the Son to carry out the most important act of salvation for humanity. Luke 4:18.
And now think of the Great Commission for each believer and how the same Spirit empowers you to perform for God! Not only in outreach but also in acts of righteousness – the fruit of the Spirit (Love, peace, joy…)
Then you know we have a full package!
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