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David subdues the Philistines, the Moabites, and the Syrians. (1-8)

David subdued the Philistines. They had long been troublesome to Israel. And after the long and frequent struggles the saints have with the powers of darkness, like Israel with the Philistines, the Son of David shall tread them all under foot, and make the saints more than conquerors.

V. 1 The Philistines: Philistines were enemies for Israel for more than 125 which means that is since the conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

V. 5 The LORD preserved David… David found favor of God.

V. 8 took a large amount of bronze… 1 Chronicles 18:8 adds that Solomon used this for Temple to make the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.

The spoil dedicated. (9-14)

V. 11 …dedicated these to the LORD…

All the precious things David was master of, were dedicated things; they were designed for building the temple. (2 Samuel. 5:21 ) of gold he dedicated. Thus, in the conquest of a soul by the grace of the Son of David, what stands in opposition to God must be destroyed, every lust must be mortified and crucified, but what may glorify him must be dedicated; thus the property of it is altered. God employs his servants in various ways; some, as David, in spiritual battles; others, as Solomon, in spiritual buildings; and one prepares work for the other, that God may have the glory of all.Mathew Henry Concise Commentary.

David’s government and officers. (15-18)

V. 16 Joab… Joab became the leader over the army.
V. 17 Zadok… Zadok was from the family of Aaron through Eleazar, and he served at the tabernacle in Gibeon. Abiathar who appeared in 1 Samuel accompanying David (22:20, 23:6, 30:7), later worked with Zadok during Absalom’s rebellion.

V. 18 Benaiah… was incharge of David’s personal force of Cherethites and …Pelethites. He was one of David’s “mighty men” (23:20-22). He became the commander of whole army during Solomon reign. David’s sons were Chief ministers, which means they were consultants. Some translation says they were priest. Other records do not support any priestly involvement. But scholars believe that they were taking care of some worship matters or else.

2 Samuel 9 (Does not have a parallel passage in 1 Chronicles)

David sends for Mephibosheth. (1-8):

Amidst so much going on in the kingdom, David did not forget to return the favor, and keep up the covenant to Jonathan’s family. A truly Godly person will not rest till they have done them.

V. 1 Jonathan’s sake… David remembers the covenant with of friendship and kindness that David and had made to each other in 1 Samuel 20:13-17.

V. 3 Kindness of God… David seems to be acting on behalf of God.

V. 7 …Eat bread at my table… Mephibosheth is put on the royal pension for the rest of his life
V. 8 Dead dog… means a person of no value.

And provides for him. (9-13)


As David was a type of Christ, his Lord and Son, his Root and Offspring, let his kindness to Mephibosheth remind us of the kindness and love of God our Saviour to fallen man, to whom he was under no obligation, as David was to Jonathan. The Son of God seeks this lost, who sought not after him. He comes to seek & to save them. – MHCC

V. 10: David gave the land of Ziba as his inheritance, Ziba, his servants, and sons to work for him.
V. 11… he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s son: A person with no value in the eyes of men, became precious in the sight of king and got the privilege of eating at the KING’S Table.