The Throne of David, Treatise · Section 22
II SAM. Chap. 8. and 1 CHRON. 18.
IN this Chapter (the Generall ſumme whereof is the amplification of Davids kingdome in his own time, and by his own perſon) are theſe particulars ſet down. 1. The five warres that he had, againſt the Philiſtines, Moabites, the King of Zobah, the King of …, and the Edomites, all whom he ſubdued, and whereby his Empire was enlarged not only from Sichar the river in the South, to Euphrates in the North, but further almoſt from Sinai: and mount Caucaſus in Arabia Petra in the South, even to mount Taurus, and Armenia, beyond Euphrates in the North. This is ſet down from the firſt to the 9. verſ. and in the 14.
2. Verſ. 9. and 10. Is ſet downe Toi, King of Hamath his congratulatory meſſage of Davids victory over the King of Zoba: with the cauſe thereof, and what gifts he ſent unto David.
3. Is ſet downe what David did with theſe gifts, and all the rich ſpoiles of all the Nations which he ſubdued, verſ. 11. and verſ. 15. to the end of the Chapter is ſet downe Davids ordering of the Kingdome by adminiſtration of juſtice, in his owne perſon, to all his people now ſetled in peace, as alſo by electing, and appointing fit officers and rulers delegate, and ſubalterne to himſelfe, to governe both in the Church, and in the Commonwealth.
The firſt warre then which David had, was with the Philiſtines, who were deſcended from the Egyptians, whoſe progenitor was Miſram, the ſecond ſonne of curſed Ham: infidells in religion, and Capitall enemies to the people of God, whom David ſublued and took their ſtrongeſt Citie M…th… Ammah from them, which is by interpretation, the bridle of Ammah▪ becauſe be…ng ſituated on ſtrong hills, it hindred the Iſraelites to overcome the ſame.
The ſecond warre was againſt the Moabites, deſcended of Lot, that inceſt …o …s copulation with one of his own daughters in the time of his drunkenneſs: as we read, Gen. 19. 37. Of whom it is ſaid, that he meaſured them with a line, by a Metaphor from Artizans, that meaſure their work ſo: or from meaſurers of land, whereby is ſhewed, that he deſtroyed the two parts of them, and kept only the third part alive.
The third warre was againſt Hadadezer King of Zobah, whoſe proper name was Adad, as Pharaoh was of the Egyptian Kings.
The fourth warre was with the King of Syria, whoſe name is not here expreſt, but his chiefe Citie, and country Damaſcus: lying between the hill Hermon and Libanus, now called, Caeloſyria, the cauſe of which warre was, becauſe they took part with H…dadezer againſt David.
The fifth warre verſ. 14. Is againſt the Edomites, in whole townes (being ſubdued) he put Carlſon's, and which was done by Abi…h…i the ſonne of Zerviah, as we read, 1 Chron. 18. 12.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. FRom theſe ſeverall warres here ſpoken of, we learne. That all warres are not unlawfull: as we have ſhewed before, on 2 Sam. 2. 17. at length, againſt Anabaptiſts.
2. More particularly, that theſe warres of David againſt the perſons, and Nations before named were lawfull: we may ſee, 1. Becauſe the deſtruction and ſubdueing of theſe enemies to Iſrael, was fore propheſied by Balaam, Num. 24. 17. And God ma… David the inſtrument of fulfilling of this propheſy. 2. They ha… incroached upon the territories and bounds of the land: whi… the Lord had given to Iſrael, and was divided unto them Joſhua. 3. It is ſaid, verſ. 6. and 14. That in all theſe whether ſoever he went, the Lord preſerved David, which ſhewes … he was walking in Gods waies, to which only his preſervatio… is promiſed: and that he had a good cauſe in hand, and inte…ded them not either out of pride, (the mother of contention) … covetouſneſs: as we ſee, verſ. 11. But only made theſe warre upon a good ground, and for a right end: to wit, the glory … God, and accompliſhing his will; and the good of his people, and their quiet, and freedome from ſuch inſolent and infeſting enemies, as they had at divers times proved; as we ſee in the book of the Judges, and late reigne of Saul.
3. The Lord had promiſed to David to build him a houſe, and (as he had hitherto done) to make him a great name (chap. 7. 9.) yet he is not idle, but uſe… the lawfull meanes, to teach us to do the like, when we look on the promiſes of God, of ſalvation, Phil. 2. 12. Or protection, Act. 27. 31. Or providing for us, Gen. 3. 1…. &c. So that we ſhould neither tempt God by not uſing the meanes, nor yet diſtruſt God by confiding in the meanes only.
4. All this which was done by David unto theſe wicked nations was (as is ſaid) fore-propheſied by Balaam, and yet before this performance 400. yeares and more had intervened, whereby we ſee, 1. The Lords lenity and long ſuffering patience, which ſhould have led them to repentance. 2. The truth of the Lords threatnings at laſt, as well as of his promiſes: therefore let not the Godly be diſcouraged that their enemies are not preſently, or in ſhort time puniſhed; for the Lord ſuffers them to fill their cup, and at laſt he will come, though with leaden feet, yet with an iron heavy hand to cruſh them, as a pot harde in pieces.
5. David ſlew the Syrians who came to ſuccour Hadadezer againſt him. Whereby we ſee, that it is dangerous to aſſiſt the wicked againſt the Godly, or to be pertakers with any in an ill cauſe or courſe, as the example of Jehofaphats aſſociation with Ahab, teſtifies, 1 King. 22. 8.
6. Verſ. 6. and 14. Davids fortification, and putting Garri…ons in Syria of Damaſcus, and in Edom, for conſervation of his conqueſt. Shewes that piety and prudence may well conſiſt together, and as the Poet ſpeaks, Non minor eſt virtus quam querere, parta tueri.
7. Where it is ſaid that the Lord preſerved David whereſoever he went: we ſee, 1. Who is the preſerver of the Godly from all danger in the midſt of perill's, and from whom therefore they ſhould ſeek the ſame. 2. How good and carefull a Maſter the Lord is of his ſervants, and their ſafety: as we ſee, Gen. 15. 1. and Pſal. 84. 11. Yea in death it ſelfe, Pſal. 23. 4. Which ſhould be a great motive, and encouragement to ſerve him.
8. We ſee by Gods preſerving of David whetherſoever he went, not only Gods generall omnipreſence withall, but alſo his particular and ſpeciall preſence in mercy, and for their good with his own: becauſe they walk in his waies, and as acknowledging this his preſence, and alſeeing eye.
9. Vers 11. Davids giving of the rich ſpoile of theſe nations whom he ſubdued, and dedicating of them to the Lord, together with the rich gifts of gold, ſilver and braſſe which Toi King of Hamath ſent unto him; not onelyonly clears him, that he undertook not theſe warres for covetouſneſſe, but alſo ſhewes his thankfullneſſe to God, as author of his victories, and his religious, and bountifull royall diſpoſition to Religion, and the advancement thereof, worthy to be imitated by all Princes and others, and farre contrary to the diſpoſition of moſt men now adayes who have no publicke Spirits, or are for pious workes, but onelyonly ſtudy to their owne private commodity.
10. Vers 14. We ſee the Edomites are counted amongſt theſe Enemies to Iſrael, whom David ſubdued, who were come of Eſau, Iſraels elder Brother, and yet, though of one blood from Iſaac, and ſhould as Brethren been friends to Iſrael, they were their infeſting Enemies. Whereby we ſee how weak a band of union, or amity nature is without grace, which indeed is the ſtrongeſt tie of love and true ſolid friendſhip, the communion of ſaints.
11. Vers 15. After he had ſubdued his Enemies David now gives not himſelf to eaſe and ſport, or the like, as many Princes do: but like a good King in his own Perſon he Miniſters Juſtice unto all his people, and commits it not altogether, and onelyonly to other deputies under him. A worthy example for all Kings to follow, as we ſee Solomon likewiſe did in judging between the two harlots.
12. Where it is ſaid, that he executed judgement and Juſtice. We ſee that it is not enough for Princes, onelyonly to make good Lawes, except alſo they put them in execution, as alſo where it is ſaid, that he did this to all his people, the meaneſt as well as the greateſt, it ſhewes that he did the ſame impartially, which is the worthieſt part of a Judge ſo to do, for a good Judge ſhould. 1. Be void of affection and partiality. 2. He ſhould have patience to hear. 3. Skill to cognoſce. 4. Wiſdome to decerne. And 5. courage to execute, without partiality.
13. Vers 16. In this prudent and provident diſtribution of offices for government of both eſtates, civil and Eccleſiaſticall, and ſetting ſuch over the Cherethites, and Pelethites, who were his guard, we ſee the laudable care, that David had both of Church and Commonwealth, and which all godly Princes ſhould imitate and follow.
14. We ſee alſo that every one hath his particular office aſſigned unto him, wherein he is appointed to do his duty, without uſurpation, or intruſion upon the office of another: a worthy example to be followed, for every one to be content with his own charge, and to diſcharge it well, and to keep within their owne ſphere and ſtation: the civil not to uſurp, or incroach upon the Eccleſiaſticall, as Ʋzziah did: nor the Eccleſiaſticall to uſurp civil offices, and meddle in civil affaires not belonging to them, after Chriſts example, who ſaid to the two Brethren concerning the parting of the inheritance, Who made me a Judge between you?
15. The Allegory of theſe victories of David and ſubduing under him theſe nations, and dedicating their ſpoils, and gifts to the Lord: repreſents to us in figure, the victory that the Sonne of David, Chriſt Jeſus ſhould have over the Gentiles by the preaching of the Goſpel, and their converſion thereby, as we ſee Propheſied, Iſa. 60. And elſwhere, and that their gifts, and theſe ſciences amongſt them, which were before abuſed by Satan unto Idolatry, as ſpoiles, Chriſt ſhould make them thereafter ſerve for …he good, and edifying of his Church, and advancement of his …tory.