David Reading Plan – W5D3

Check out all the previous David readings here.

David Reading | Week 5 | Day 3

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 8

Read these verses three times slowly.

In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at the Euphrates River. David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethitesand Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.

Reflection & Questions

We read on day 1 of this week that the Lord gave David “rest from his enemies.” Today’s reading spells out how that happened, listing the various enemies of the Israelites and how David (and his army) defeated them.

The author wants us to be clear where the credit lies though. He tells us, “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” David could not boast. Yes, he endured the battles, but it was God who gave the victory. Yes, David and his armies swung swords, but it was God who watched over them, guided them, strengthened them, protected them and ensured the victory. We, too, cannot claim the credit for our victories in life. Whether it is the victory of our salvation, the reaching of our ONEs, the success of our recovery or something else. It is God who strengthens, protects, guides. There is no room for pride in our victories, and no sense in trying to tackle anything without Him.

One of the ways that God helps us is through others. God had given David a team of people that we read of here. People like Joab, Jehosophat, Zadok and Seraiah. We, too, need to surround ourselves with wise people who can speak into our lives and help us in navigating through life. As Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

1. Are you trusting God on a daily basis to guide you through life? How do you know?
2. Who is your team of people around you to help you navigate life?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?