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Prosperous Reign of David
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And subdues the peoples under me;
He delivers me from my enemies.
Psalm 18:46-48
Throughout the songs of David, the thought was impressed on
his people that Jehovah was their strength and deliverer:
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
The kingdom of Israel had now reached the full extent of what
God had promised to Abraham: “To your descendants I have given
this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Eu-
phrates.” (
Genesis 15:18
). Israel had become a mighty nation, re-
spected and feared by surrounding peoples. David commanded, as
few sovereigns in any age have been able to command, the affections
and allegiance of his people. He had honored God, and God was
now honoring him.
But danger lurked in the middle of prosperity. In the time of his
greatest outward triumph David was at the greatest risk, and met his
most humiliating defeat.
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