Growth of Israel

 Background

King David has brought the Ark into his house and placed it in a tent modeled by Moses’s guidance. Now King David is expanding the Kingdom of Israel.

Expansion of David’s Kingdom

King David isn’t sitting around, he began by taking the chief city of the Philistines, Metheg-ammah. Metheg-ammah is the royal city of the Philistines that is originally called Gath. Metheg means bridle, a bridle is used to take control of a horse, mule, or donkey. This is the same place where Joab had chased Abner to.

“Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.” (2 Samuel 2:24)

Gath was also the hometown of Goliath, that David had killed. And when David was hiding from Saul he took refuge in Gath.

Next King David went up against the Moabites. The Moabites had been dangerous enemies from the time of Moses in the wilderness. Remember Balaam’s talking donkey? Balaam prophesized the end of two thirds of the Moabites.

“And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.” (2 Samuel 8:2)

As servants to King David they will provide tribute (as in more than just taxes). They will continue to serve King David until the death of Ahab.

Now King David turns his attention to Syria. There are two important targets in Syria. The first is Zobah, the second are the Syrians in Damascus. Both had worked with each other to protect the other. King David made quick work of them.

“And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.” (1 Chronicles 18:4)

Tribute to God

King David’s territories and principle cites now include most of Caanan to include Syria. David has amassed a great deal of gold, silver, gems, copper, and brass.

“Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.” (2 Samuel 8:11)

The pagan idols of David’s enemies were burned and refashioned.

King David had prospered through the protection of God and he praised God in all he had been given.