Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze. King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations; from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. (vv.9-13)
Here in chapter 18 we get a general overview of all the wars David carried out victoriously against his enemies around him, to secure Israel’s rule. We also get a short statement of the results and a cataloque of David’s chief public officials. As we go through the next few chapters a more detailed account will be presented.
What continues to jump out at me in our reading today is, "The LORD preserved David wherever he went." This is the summary of this whole chapter. Every victory and every enemy subdued was a testimony to the Lord’s preserving power in the life and reign of David. And, that those who take God along with them wherever they go may expect to be preserved in all places. And, those who are focused on God, will have His focus on them. Thus you and I, like David, can be preserved wherever we go.
The Truth: "You have delivered me from the attacks of the peoples; you have preserved me as the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me.” (2 Samuel 22:44)
