Useful Bible Studies > 2 Samuel Commentary > chapter 22
David and his army killed many of their enemies in battle. However, David was not a cruel man: he hated cruelty. His purpose in these wars was to bring peace that lasted to Israel, and good government to the region. For too long, cruel and evil governments had used their power to make the poor people of that region suffer. With God’s help, David was able to defeat those rulers, and to rule Israel and the surrounding countries in a peaceful manner.
So, David’s purpose was not to kill foreigners, but to show them how to live in a better, peaceful manner. God gave him authority over those countries to improve the lives of the people who lived there. Across the region, many rulers had built strong cities and castles. When they heard about David’s success in war, they did not even try to defend themselves from him. Instead, they came out to make peace agreements with David (8:9-10). They no longer tried to rule in a cruel and powerful manner – instead, they accepted David’s authority over them.
In the end, David ruled over many nations. People from nations that had formerly been Israel’s enemies became David’s friends and supporters. They included Ittai and his 600 soldiers, who came from Philistia (15:18-22).
Among David’s best soldiers were Zelek and Uriah, who came from the enemy nations called the Ammonites and the Hittites (23:37; 23:39). David took Jerusalem from the people called Jebusites (5:6-9) – but long afterwards Araunah, a Jebusite, lived peacefully there and owned much land near Jerusalem (24:18-24).
Next part: Only the living God can save his people (2 Samuel 22:47-49)
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© 2023, Keith Simons.