2 Samuel 7:24-??

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Psalm 34:1-3
• Hymn — When Morning Gilds the Skies
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Faith — Belgic Confession
• Scripture Reading — Acts 17:16-34
• Hymn — Rejoice, All Ye Believers
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Prayer of Dedication
• Hymn — Thine Is the Glory
• Sermon
• Prayer of Application
• Hymn — Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Sermon Title: Evidence of the Davidic Kingdom Come

Scripture: 2 Samuel 8:1-18

I. The Evidence of Subjugation

A. Chapter 8 records not merely the defeat but the subjugation of Israel's enemies

1. Philistines subdued (2 Samuel 8:1)
2. Moab becomes servants and pays tribute (2 Samuel 8:2)
3. Syrians become David's servants and bring tribute (2 Samuel 8:6)
4. King Toi of Hamath brings silver, gold, and bronze (2 Samuel 8:9-10)
5. Edom becomes David's servants (2 Samuel 8:14)

B. The nations listed in verse 12 carry deep significance, going back to Israel's origin stories

1. Philistines, Amalekites, Ammonites, Moabites — enemies from the Exodus and wilderness wandering
2. In Exodus 13, God directed Israel around Philistine territory
3. In Numbers 23-24, Balaam prophesied destruction of those who opposed Israel in the wilderness

C. This subjugation publicly demonstrates that God's Abrahamic Covenant promises are coming to fruition through the conquering Davidic King — nations serve the anointed one, they "kiss the Son" (Psalm 2)

D. The New Covenant fulfillment: Christ's resurrection is the public declaration that he is the conquering King over heaven and earth (Acts 17:30-31)

1. All people everywhere are commanded to repent
2. Two paths: subdued by Christ's Spirit as disciples, or subdued by Christ's wrath as enemies
3. Application: Are you living under the subjugation of Christ, or as his enemy?

II. The Evidence of Righteousness

A. David's campaign against Hadadezer of Zobah extends from the far north to the far south in Edom, showing David rules over all Israel (2 Samuel 8:3-8)

B. David hamstrings the chariot horses, keeping only enough for 100 chariots

1. This unusual act reflects the law of the king in Deuteronomy 17:16 — the king shall not acquire many horses
2. David dedicates all captured silver, gold, and bronze to the Lord rather than hoarding it (2 Samuel 8:7-11), consistent with Deuteronomy 17 forbidding excess silver and gold

C. David administered justice and equity to all his people (2 Samuel 8:15)

1. The Hebrew words for justice and equity together carry the idea of mercy and care for the downtrodden, orphans, widows, and outcasts
2. Justice and equity for all people — David judges impartially, without partiality to rich or poor

D. New Covenant fulfillment: impartiality and equality before God is a major theme of the New Testament

1. Paul combats partiality at Corinth — the wealthy eating while the poor go hungry
2. Galatians 3:28 — neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female; all one in Christ Jesus
3. James calls Christ's rule the "law of liberty" — all who come to Christ have equal claim to it
4. The church, as the body of the King, is called to administer his justice and equity to all people impartially

III. The Evidence of Organization

A. David's administration of justice and equity is tied to the organized offices he establishes (2 Samuel 8:16-18)

1. Specific men are appointed to specific administrative roles
2. These offices are not independent but do the king's bidding within their respective specialties

B. This organized structure answers the dilemma of the book of Judges

1. Judges: no king, everyone doing what is right in their own eyes — wickedness reigns
2. With a king and governing authority established, the result is justice and equity

C. New Covenant fulfillment: Christ, enthroned in heaven, pours out his Spirit and organizes his church

1. In Acts, the apostles plant and organize churches by the Spirit following the directives of the King
2. In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul instructs the church to appoint elders and deacons to administer Christ's rule — his law of liberty — bringing justice and equity to the covenant community

D. Application: Christians are not called to live as individuals on an island (the way of Judges) but to submit to the organized governing structure Christ has established in his church

1. The church's sessions, presbyteries, and assemblies are courts — governing authorities by which the King rules his people
2. Submission to the courts of Christ on earth seals the heart to the heavenly courts above