Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

The new King of all of Israel returns to opposing all the enemies that have not been exterminated from the land as they were instructed.  2 Samuel 8 tells about the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, and others.  The horrors of war are illustrated in these passages.  Jehovah warned His people to destroy those who worshiped other gods.  Even David doesn’t go as far as he might.

The odd thing in this chapter is the final statement that David’s sons were priests.  Priests were to be from the Levitical clan.  Jesse was a Judean.  Appointing his sons as additional priests violated this part of the law of Yahweh.  Even a man after God’s own heart violated the Lord’s statutes at times.

Despite his being human, David does something almost Godlike in 2 Samuel 9.  He remembers his pledge to Jonathan and asks about Saul’s descendants.  Mephibosheth is a cripple and is summoned to the palace.  The restoration of the family land is typical behavior for an Israelite king.

The symbolism of eating at the King’s table is significant.  Prophecy tells of the marriage supper of the lamb.  Feasts were special occasions for Jehovah’s chosen people, just as they are today for Christians.  Nothing shows the family connection like sharing a meal.  Jonathan’s only surviving child is honored as a member of David’s family.

We receive a list of nations conquered by the King in 1st Chronicles chapter 18. The Philistines, Moabite, Hadadezer, and the Arameans are named. This included many cities and villages that were plundered, and all the occupants captured and enslaved or killed.

What would you do with all the gold, silver, precious metals, and gemstones that he accumulated? They are stored to be used for the construction of a house for The Ark of the Covenant. These were some of the first materials given for the Temple, Solomon would build years later.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger