1. Lesson One of the Book of Daniel, Introduction to the Book of Daniel

Lesson 55, Geography Study Concerning the Scriptures, The Exploits of David

The Exploits of David

The main exploits of David occurred early in his reign. 

Though engaged in what seems to have been minor skirmishes against the Moabites and Amalekites, David’s army faced major confrontations with the Philistines, Arameans, Edomites, and the Ammonite-‘Aramean alliance. 

Soon after David had seized Jerusalem, the Philistines twice attempted to crush their former vassal by proceeding up the Sorek valley (where Delilah lived) and pitching a battle line in the Valley of Rephaim, immediately west of Jerusalem. 

I Chron 14:8-16,  And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them. ⁹And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁰And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. ¹¹So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim. ¹²And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire. ¹³And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. ¹⁴Therefore David inquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. ¹⁵And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. ¹⁶David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer. ¹⁷And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

On one of those incursions, it appears they were successful in capturing Bethlehem.

On the first of those occasions, David directly confronted his antagonists at the town of Baal-perizim (near the valley of Rehpaim) and repelled them back down the valley, capturing some of the Philistines’ idols. 

In the second instance, however he flanked their assault and attacked them from the rear, driving them north past Gibeon and Upper Beth-horon as far as Gezer.

With his western front relatively secure, the new kings attention was turned toward Transjordanian opponents. 

The Aramean city-state of Zobah encompassed much of central Lebonan along Israel’s northern frontier. 

It possessed valuable minerals and rich vineyards and grain fields, and its kings at times displayed aggressive tendencies. 

It was inevitable, therefore, that Zobah should collide with Israel’s monarchy.

David launched a successful strike against Hadadezer, king of Zobah, despite support given the Aramean by Damascus, after which the Israelite carried off spoil from the towns of Berothar, Tibhath and Cun. 

Besides spoils gained, the victory precipitated a friend ship treaty between David and the powerful kingdom of Hamath.

2 Samuel 8:3-11,  David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. ⁴And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. ⁵And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. ⁶Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. ⁷And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. ⁸And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. ⁹When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, ¹⁰Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: ¹¹Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;