Dedicated Spoils

David’s God-ordained victories do not go unnoticed by others who might have to face his sword. One such is Toi, king of Hamath, a small kingdom to the north of Zobah but still south of the Euphrates River and thus still within David’s God-promised realm. Toi has been at war with Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, whom David has just defeated, and he is delighted to be delivered from his enemy. But he recognizes that a more powerful monarch than Hadadezer has arisen. Therefore, he decides to submit to David before his kingdom is conquered. So he sends his son, Joram, to greet David and bless him, expressions of gratitude for David’s defeat of Hadadezer. But Joram also comes to pay tribute to David—he brings articles of gold, silver, and bronze. David presumably enters a covenant relationship with Toi, letting the people of Hamath live in exchange for their fealty.

When he receives the spoil brought by Joram, David does with it just what he did with everything he took from the enemies he previously defeated—he “dedicates” it to God. In other words, David keeps none of this wealth for himself. Instead, he sets it aside, probably for use in the future temple (1 Chron. 18:8), in token of his recognition that it is God who is expanding his kingdom’s borders and giving him dominance over so many people groups.

David then returns to the battlefield, attacking Edom and killing eighteen thousand Edomite soldiers. With that, David is able to put garrisons in Edom, so that Edom also pays tribute to him. It is interesting that the writer of 2 Samuel first declares that David “made himself a name” by this military action against Edom (v. 13), but then, as if catching himself, he notes again (as in v. 7) that “the Lord preserved David wherever he went.” It is almost as if the writer is clarifying his earlier statement so as to make sure his readers understand that it is God who is making a name for David. God’s presence with David to preserve and bless him has brought about this stunning expansion of his kingdom.

With these successful battles, David has now procured the peace and the wealth his son Solomon will need to build the temple. There will be other conflicts, but David can now turn his full attention to ruling over Israel as God’s covenant king.