David Is Blessed by the Defeat of his Enemies

1In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

2David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.ve

3Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at^a the Euphrates River. 4David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers^b and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

5When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. (2 Samuel 8)

Thoughts: David won many victories. God was  blessing David to establish His kingdom.  David's kingdom's influence reached its greatest height from the Euphrates River in Iraq to the east to Syria (Aramea) in the north.  These would be seen as the ideal borders of Israel to the east and north for the rest of time, but never again would they be extended this far.  After Solomon left the throne, the influence and the territory was lost.  David did not want to fight the Arameans, but he did defensively and ended up with their territory. 
      Sometimes God blesses us and other times that blessing is reduced or taken away.  Job had the right perspective when he said, "Naked came I into the world, naked shall I return from which I came.  Yet when God blesses us we should appreciate it is a blessing from God, and give Him thanks.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to see your hand blessing me, and helping me to honor you.