Day 126: David's Victories

2 Samuel 8:1-17 David continued with victories over the Philistines, the Moabites, and other enemies of Israel, winning every battle because of his faithfulness to God; his success caused others, including Toi, the King of Hamath, to seek a treaty with Israel. David appointed several men to high positions in his administration, thus continuing to build a powerful kingdom.


Ch 8:15 Justice and equity: These are marks of a good king. It is the moral responsibility of civil authority to act justly and always seek the interest of the common good. (CCC 1836, 1905-1912, 2419)


1 Chronicles 10:1-14 This passage almost replicates an earlier narrative (cf. 1 Sam 31:1-13), but it includes two significant differences. This account mentions that Saul’s entire household died with him, which implies that it was God’s will that Saul’s line would end; it also adds an explanatory statement that describes Saul’s death as divine judgement for his unfaithfulness.


Ch 11:1 In Chapters 11 and 12, “all of Israel” is shown to be united in support of David as king. There is no mention of the separation between the tribes recorded in 2 Samuel.


Psalm 60 In the historical literature of the Old Testament, God’s support and protection of Israel depended largely upon his people’s fidelity to him. When they were faithful to the covenant and sought his direction and aid, they were always victorious in battle; on the other hand, their infidelity and rebellion resulted in terrible losses. This psalm tells of one such loss to an inferior Gentile army, a defeat that was clearly understood as a punishment from God.


You have set up a banner: Although God allowed the defeat, he also opened the door to forgiveness and repentance for those who “fear him.” (are in awe of him, not afraid of him I was always confused by this term)

(CCC 312, 2084)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and we do know that with you we can do valiantly. Without you we can do nothing. If we remain in you then all things are possible. If we remain in you then we can bear fruit, fruit that will last. And yet if we remove ourselves from you, if we remove ourselves from your presence and from your power and from your help and from your holiness, then there is nothing that we can do. We can bear no fruit and we can make no difference in our lives. So we need you, God, not only for our existence, but also for perseverance. We need you not only for fruitfulness but also for faithfulness. So please, Lord God, help us to be faithful and fruitful. Help us to persevere and to be yours forever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”