2 Samuel 8:9-18: a reflection

9When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the army of Hadadezer, 10then Toi sent Joram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and struck him; for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. Joram brought with him vessels of silver, vessels of gold, and vessels of bronze. 11King David also dedicated these to the LORD, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued— 12of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13David earned a reputation when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand men of the Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14He put garrisons in Edom. Throughout all Edom, he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. The LORD gave victory to David wherever he went. 15David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people. 16Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 17Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, Seraiah was scribe, 18Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief ministers.

This passage records David's victories and his growing reign, and it notes two things about how David handled his success. First, the silver, gold, and bronze he gained from his conquests, he dedicated to the LORD, consecrating the spoils of his victories to God rather than merely enriching himself. And second, in his reign over Israel, he executed justice and righteousness for all his people, using his position to do right by everyone under his rule.

Notice these two marks of David's success: he dedicated his gains to God, and he used his position to do justice for all. He did not simply keep the spoils for himself, but consecrated them to the LORD; and he did not use his power for self-aggrandizement, but to do justice and righteousness for his people. His success was turned Godward, in the dedication of his gains, and outward, in justice toward others, rather than being spent only on himself.

That is a pattern worth following with our own success and position. When we prosper, gain, or rise to influence, we can spend it all on ourselves, enriching and aggrandizing ourselves. But David's example points another way: to dedicate our gains to God, consecrating our success to him; and to use whatever position and influence we have to serve others and do justice, not just to benefit ourselves. Whatever success or influence you have, turn it Godward and outward, as David did. Dedicate your gains to God rather than hoarding them for yourself; and use your position to do good and justice for others, not for self-aggrandizement. Success consecrated to God and spent for others is success rightly used, as David used his.

Lord, this passage records that David dedicated the spoils of his victories to you, and used his reign to do justice and righteousness for all his people; his success was turned Godward, in the dedication of his gains, and outward, in justice toward others, rather than spent only on himself. Give me that pattern for my own success and position. When I prosper, gain, or rise to influence, I can spend it all on myself, enriching and aggrandizing myself. But David's example points another way: to dedicate my gains to you, consecrating my success to you; and to use whatever position and influence I have to serve others and do justice, not just to benefit myself. Whatever success or influence I have, help me turn it Godward and outward, as David did. Help me dedicate my gains to you rather than hoarding them, and use my position to do good and justice for others. Let my success be consecrated to you and spent for others, rightly used, as David used his.