DEFEATING THE EDOMITES

DEFEATING THE EDOMITES

This will be our last review of a short series on David’s past victories.  We have a lot more ground to cover, but these facts are important.  Today we want to review David’s victory over the Edomites.  This victory is recorded in 2 Samuel 8.  We want to look at what defeating the Edomites meant to Israel at that time.  Also, we want to understand what these events could mean for us today.

2 SAMUEL 8

2 Samuel 8:13-14 reads: And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.  He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

THE VALLEY OF SALT

The Valley of Salt is located near the Dead Sea. This name reflects the  geographical characteristics of the area. It emphasizes the arid and salty terrain of the land. The old definition covered almost the entire length of what today is called the Jordan Rift Valley.  This valley runs in a north–south direction. It is between the southern end of the Sea of Galilee and the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba. The contemporary use of the term includes only  the southern section. The Arabah is scenic with colorful cliffs and sharp-topped mountains. The southern Arabah is hot, dry and without rain.

This Valley of Salt serves as a historical reference for several ancient battles. One of those battles was when King David defeated the Edomites.  Many scholars believe the ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah are located near the Dead Sea. They would be near the Valley of Salt.  Some also suppose that this was the area of The Battle of The Kings. After this battle Abraham left for home and met Melchizedek, King of Salem. He offered tithes to Him.  After that Abraham refused to agree to a contract with The King of Sodom. The battle could have happened here at or near the Valley of Salt, but not the offerings. It is possible the offerings took place in another site on Abraham’s way home.

I wonder how much of this history David pondered as he lead his men in this battle against Edom. Clearly God was with him and he achieved yet another victory.

THE EDOMITES

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. They lived in an area of the country known as Edom. Today this is southern Jordan. The Edomites practiced a polytheistic religion, worshipping various gods, including Qos.   

 We know Qos was associated with war and fertility. Pagan  altars for Qos were scattered throughout this area of the country. The sacrifices to Qos were for obtaining favor in battle. This clarifies the fact that David was serving God by defeating this cultural influence in the land. These pagan practices went against everything  Israel considered holy.  Qōs is an Arabic word meaning bow.

PAGAN INFLUENCE OF EDOMITES

Josephus believed Qōs must have become identified with Quzah, “the archer” in the north Arabian pantheon. Quzah was worshiped both as a mountain and a weather god. Yet another counterfeit to one of God’s constellation stories from the Mazzarath. The true gospel also contains references to Aquarius, the Archer.  The similarity of this name would have permitted an assimilation of Qōs to the Arabian god of the rainbow.  It seems pagans love to use the rainbow. In true worship the rainbow is symbolic of God keeping His promises. It reflects the rainbow’s colors around God’s throne. These pagan religions have counterfeited for their own perversions.  Such syncritization problems still exist in today’s culture.  We should strive to fight against such counterfeit religion, just as King David did in this battle with Edom.

THE COPPER TRADE

The Edomites used their skillful works of copper as product for trade.  Their skills in the production of copper and other minerals were excellent. The copper industry they now added to Israel’s economy peaked in performance under the reign of King Solomon, David’s son.

Israel’s garrisons provided security for the goods of merchants being transported to Jerusalem and the coast. The now subdued Edomites along the trade routes had been hostile before this protection was set in place.  David’s victory over them controlled their military might. This helped the honest and sincere trading merchants to conduct their business with success.

KING DAVID’S GARRISONS

There is a fascinating on-line article available regarding the garrisons posted in Edom during King David’s reign.  This information is posted through The Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archeology. We have mentioned this group before.  If you are looking for a good place to fund a significant and noble cause, I recommend reading this article.  

The referenced article by Brent Nagtegaal is an interview of an archaeologist named Dr. Erickson-Gini.  Dr. Erickson-Gini has  worked in the excavation  of certain historical sites for years.  This research confirms so many of the things we have studied about the reign of King David.  I do recommend this highly informative read.  Here is a link to the article: https://armstronginstitute.org/970-revealing-king-davids-edomite-garrisons.

Their findings relate to many of the scriptures we have already studied. They certainly confirm the passage of scripture we are studying today.  I suspect we will be hearing more and more from discoveries happening in this area.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES TO EDOM

At this point I think several scriptures relating to Edom are worth our attention.  For instance, I am still pondering the verse in Psalm 60 which states, “On Edom I toss my sandal.”  The same phrase is repeated again in Psalm 108: 9-10 using slightly different words.  “Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph…”   

What is meant when the scriptures speak of someone “tossing their sandal” over a piece of property?   In ancient times, casting a shoe was a symbolic act.  It signified the claiming of authority and ownership. The words of Psalm 60 are signifying God’s dominion over Edom.  This Psalm reassures believers of God’s control over all obstacles, encouraging trust in His plan and power to overcome challenges.

OBADIAH’S PROPHECY

I’m also pondering the words of Obadiah 1:1-2; This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”—“Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised.…  

The mention of an envoy among the nations suggests God’s orchestration of a coalition to execute His judgment on Edom.  Next comes the call to action, “Rise up! Let us go against her for battle.”   This cry indicates the decisive and unavoidable nature of the impending judgment. The declaration that Edom will be made “small among the nations” predicts the humbling of a once arrogant nation. Scriptues state they will be “utterly dispised.”

At this point of our study, Edom has fallen under David’s control. Before their capture the Edomites were prideful and arrogant, believing themselves to be invincible due to their fortified mountain strongholds. However, Obadiah is tasked with delivering a message of judgment and warning to the Edomites.  In this prophecy he is revealing their impending downfall and destruction.

EZEKIEL 25:12-14

Let us also consider these words from Ezekiel. His prophecy is found in Ezekiel 25:12-14. This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’ 

Again, we see this prophecy fulfilled through the reign of David over Israel.

AMOS 9:12

Amos 9:12 reads “that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name, declares the LORD, who will do this.”

These verses predict the rebuilt “booth of David” so “all the remnant of Edom… may seek the LORD.” James cites this in Acts 15:16-17, applying it to Christ’s inclusion of Gentiles. David’s subjugation of Edom typologically anticipates Messiah’s victory over sin and the nations (Colossians 2:15). 

NUMBERS 24:18

This passage states, “And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.”

Why all of this prophecy against Edom?  It goes all the way back to the days of Jacob and Esau. 

Malachi 1:2-4 reads:  “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” / Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

DEFEATING THE EDOMITES

David defeated the Edomites.   He appointed garrisons in this area of the kingdom. This was done in order to subdue these people.  Defeating the Edomites ended the pagan influences of these people for the time period of David’s reign. 

David’s subjugation of the Edomites is significant in several ways. It fulfills the prophetic blessing given to Jacob over Esau, where Esau would serve Jacob in Genesis 27:29,40.  This event is a tangible manifestation of God’s sovereign plan and the unfolding of His promises to the patriarchs.  Later in Acts 15 Paul connects Edom’s incorporation with the spreading of the gospel.

The victory over Edom is part of the broader narrative of David’s establishment as a strong and uniting king.

So, David’s victory over Edom is very significant.  In short, it fulfills patriarchal and Balaamic prophecies.  It secures Israel’s southern frontier, economy, and trade.  The victory firmly establishes Davidic hegemony, prefiguring Christ’s kingdom.  It demonstrates textual reliability corroborated by archaeology.  Also, it provides enduring theological lessons on God’s sovereign faithfulness. It promotes the ultimate inclusion of the nations through the risen Son of David.

HOW DOES THIS MATTER TO US?

All of the above reasons have greatly contributed to the faith of today’s Christian communities.

In our daily lives, we face challenges that seem insurmountable. David’s victory over the Edomites, and these prophetic verses, encourage us to trust in God’s plan.  It leads us to have faith in His capability to bring about victory in our struggles. Let us rely on His strength and wisdom, knowing that He can turn our trials into triumphs.

These prophetic scriptures from Amos pointing to The Tabernacle of David and the greater priesthood of Melchizedek give us hope.  We can see how all of these events lead to the unfolding of the millennial rule of Messiah.  This earthly Kingdom of God will take place in the same locations as King David’s rule. However, Yeshua will accomplish what no other King could ever do.  There will finally be peace. God’s ways will permeate the land.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your sovereign power over all nations and circumstances. Help us to trust in Your plans, even when we face adversity. Give us the courage to walk in faith, knowing that You are always in control. Amen.