Scripture Union Daily Guide 4th July 2020 – Victory All The way
TODAY’S TOPIC: VICTORY ALL THE WAY
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I request that you help me to encounter you as I meditate on your word.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 8:1–18
David’s Further Conquests
1 After this it came to pass that David [a]attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took [b]Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.
2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.
3 David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his territory at the River Euphrates. 4 David took from him one thousand chariots, [c]seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots.
5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the Lord preserved David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Also from [d]Betah and from Berothai,[e] cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze.
9 When [f]Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 then Toi sent [g]Joram his son to King David, to [h]greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi); and Joram brought with him articles of silver, articles of gold, and articles of bronze.
11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued— 12 from [i]Syria, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
13 And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand [j]Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David wherever he went.
David’s Administration
15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; [k]Seraiah was the [l]scribe; 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were [m]chief ministers.
Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
TODAY’S OUTLINE: DAILY GUIDE 4TH JULY 2020
In this life, we are confronted with different types of conflicts. They may be physical, emotional, spiritual, in the family, at the work place, etc. Here, David confronts and conquers several nations in succession, subduing and plundering them. V.6b shows the secret of his success which is repeated in v.14b for emphasis. But notice the attributes of David that endeared him to God (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 6:13–15; 12:13–17; 24:24).
Little wonder God supported him all the way. Are you similarly devoted to God? Victory is important but probably more important is securing that victory such that the conflict does not resurface. Read vv.4&6a and consider how you can apply David’s strategy to secure victory too.
Notice that David showed appreciation to God for all his victories (vv.11–12). Tou, king of Hamath, benefited from David’s victory (vv.9–10). A victorious child of God will always strive to be a blessing to others around him.
Also, there are some battles God may use others to fight for you, so we need each other. Notice that Tou expressed gratitude for the benefit he derived from David. Any lesson for you here? Having vanquished his enemies, David settled down to the business of governance, appointing efficient and credible officers. He did what was just and right for all his people (v.15). Do justice and fairness readily exist in your country? And for all the people, without discrimination?
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• For meditation: “He teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to battle”
Today’s Prayer:
• Pray that God may give us leaders after his heart who will ensure justice and fairness for all.
• Ask the Lord to go ahead of you into the coming week and make your way smooth and safe.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Numbers 23:8
Read the Bible in one Year: Deut. 25–27; Acts 6
Thanks for reading Today’s Scripture Union Daily Guide 4th July 2020 – Victory All The Way.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 3rd July 2020
