CONSOLIDATION. 2nd Samuel 8 When a work of God is started in a new area, the early days are heady with success. There are the wonders of God working in power and grace to bring those in darkness into the light of salvation through preaching the Gospel. Taking the Gospel into Satan's domain is not usually easy, nor is it done without opposition. "In vain do earth and hell oppose, for God is stronger than His foes."
Israelite victories occurred under David's rule as king, in which the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and those from Zobah were defeated and came under David's rule. Those victories were a result of God's promises to His people. The animosity of those nations had been directed against Israel for many years. Under David's leadership, the Lord had a man who, most of the time, committed himself to doing what God instructed him to do.
Believers and unbelievers alike have to accept the consequences of their actions. It is a principle of life, "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." That is true for nations as well as individuals. There are several reasons for showing mercy and being firm and final in dealing with those who hate God, His people, His word, and His ways. When things are going in a way that seems most advantageous to us is the time when we are in most danger of acting on our own without divine guidance. We all need to remember that our decisions will affect the next generation.
Dealing with enemies is not an easy matter because just because a war is won does not mean there will not be ongoing antagonism. The Lord did not want Israel to have a lot of horses because of the temptation to go back to Egypt with ease. They could still be used for agricultural purposes by hamstringing them, but not for warfare or rapid travel. It was in this area that David only partly obeyed the Lord. He kept one hundred horses for himself. The Lord did not deal with David because of His mercy, but the number of horses was seriously multiplied in the next generation when Solomon was king.
During those years of consolidation of a group of tribal people into a strong nation, David organized the leadership of the country into a variety of areas of responsibility. Joab was the chief military leader. Jehoshaphat was responsible for the money. Zadok and Ahimelech were the religious leaders. Seraiah was the communicator or press secretary. The Cherethites and the Pelethites under Benaiah's leadership were the guards, similar to our Secret Service guards. The enlarged kingdom would mean there was a need for many people to serve David in various parts of the kingdom. The reason David pleased the people was he pleased God first. David was fair in interpreting the law and administering justice with mercy.
Pleasing God is being guided by truth, reason, and fairness. The more complicated our lives become, the more we must commit ourselves to the work of God as a whole rather than just one or two things in which we have vested interests—doing what is right and just before God usually is right and just before the people. He had respect for the rights of the people and led them in recognition of his duty, and theirs, toward God. Pursuing justice is God's command because it is consistent with God's character. Justice and fairness should be how we relate to people, no matter who they are.
Some enemies came against David and the Israelites with different schemes. Some came with subtlety, not being what they seemed, or with the motive the words they used implied. Others came armed, each one determined to do battle determined to defeat the people of God. Still, others came with plans designed to scatter the defenders. But during these times of testing, the Lord preserved His chosen people. No matter how the attacks came, the Lord was beside David and his people. Whether it was those from the north or those from further east, the Lord was with His chosen servant who had learned to trust in his Lord.
There are times when we worry about the outcome of a matter, but when we realize the Lord preserves those who trust Him and He knows so much better than we do as to what should be done and how to approach the issue –then we can rest assured the Lord knows the solution far better than we do. We need to be preserved from the quiet innuendoes from within the group of people who appear to be involved in the same work we are engaged in. All seems quite in order until murmuring begins. When it looks like there is a danger of division among God’s people, the Lord steps in with the solution and makes plain to us the action to take that is needed.
Temptation from without will often test our faith with answers that seem logical to replace the grace of God we need. When this happens, remember the Lord has provided a way of escape, and He who provides the solution guards the way I take and brings the right solution. Outward opposition can create unnecessary fear because what we see approaching seems far more significant than we can bear. But He that in us is greater than he that is in the world. Outward foes can be dealt with by the preserving hand of the Lord in the way He chooses.
Remembering that God has not left us to struggle alone is essential. He has promised to be with us, and by His strength, He carries us through the difficult times when we are powerless to do what needs to be done. We are in His service; we labor for our heavenly King. Therefore, we can be assured of the right outcome. He will surely bring it to completion to His satisfaction.