We’ve been discussing King David’s victories. One of those victories included his victory over the Arameans. The Aramean King was Hadadezer. Hadadezer son of Rehob, was king of Zobah, an ancient Aramean kingdom. Zobah was located in Syria, north of Israel. Syria, or Greater Syria, is located east of the Mediterranean Sea. This is West Asia, the area synonymous with the Levant.
Hadadezer was known for his battles with King David. At least three times are recorded in the scriptures. David and Hadadezer both needed to control the movement of the merchants using the Euphrates River for trade and commerce.
CONTROL OF THE EUPHRATES
2 Samuel 8:3-4 states, “David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. David hamstrung all the chariot horses but spared a hundred of them.”
Hadadezer was known for his strong military. David’s hamstringing of the horses was an attempt to tame this army. The Arameans were known for their skills with horses. This was an action which might prevent more future encounters because their horses would need to be replaced.
SECOND ENCOUNTER
When we get to 2 Samuel 10 in our studies we will hear of how Hadadezer fought against David as allies to the Ammonites. That didn’t go well for Hadadezer either. We read in 2 Samuel 10:18, “But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, who died there.”
A PSALM OF DAVID PREPARING FOR THESE VICTORIES
Psalms 60 speaks of these encounters with the Arameans. Note the title “To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” This was said to be a teaching poem by David after he had fought with The King of Zobah and the Ammonites. In the end Joab returned and killed twelve thousands of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
Psalm 60:
You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
you have been angry—now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
TEACHING FUTURE GENERATIONS
The Psalm is called a “michtam”. This “micthtam” is known as one of the Golden Psalms of David. It was written as a musical, literary teaching tool to instruct present and future generations. So through this Psalm the next generations of Israel were taught to rely on God and nothing else when encountering conflict.
Oh that we would teach this to the present generations and that they would continue to pass it on. We can never over-emphasize the importance of teaching the next generation God’s ways. David was a great example, in the way he instructed his armies. We could learn a lot from doing the same.
One day I would like to sit down with this Psalm and disciper the meaning of its Hebraic words. I have a strong inclination that there is much more hiding under the surface of this Psalm.
A TURNING POINT FOR ISRAEL
Hadadezer’s interactions with Israel are significant in understanding the geopolitical landscape of the Near East during the early monarchy of Israel. These events marked a turning point in the power dynamics, as many of the Aramean states became subject to Israel.
Taking Zobah and its allies captive allowed David to extend his control over trade routes and resources. This very important move contributed to the prosperity and stability of Israel. The victories with Hadadezer also greatly increased the wealth of Israel. David’s defeat of his forces was instrumental in establishing the Davidic kingdom’s supremacy. Up until that point in history Zobah had considerable influence and resources. Defeating Hadadezer underlines the divine favor upon David’s reign over Israel. These victories were extremely significant.
IF GOD IS FOR US
I am reminded of this verse: What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Over-and-over the victories experienced by King David have shown us that God saved Israel against almost impossible odds. These armies they conquered and made subservant to Israel were huge and well-trained. With David following God, all battles were victorious.
PRAYER: Lord, please defend us from all of our enemies. Our battles belong to You. Do not reject us, but restore us. As we return to You and Your ways, protect and defend us. Give us aid and help us to obtain the victory.
MUSIC TO MAKE YOUR SOUL REJOICE: https://youtu.be/g44pGUYuzVY?si=p8mSMh7PhotxQL4x, Psalm 60, Sacred Word Worship.
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