David prayed (5) and then confidently spoke of the Lord his God and the God of Israel’s victories (6-8). He knew that God would deliver his people because the Lord purposely and precisely told him of the results of the coming victories against neighboring enemy nations. David was reassured by the word of the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ words recorded in the Bible are a reassurance to me. Though attacked, victory is definitely on the way.
The play on the names of cities and territories is significant to David. I read of them, but will not go into detail now. For example, some were once the holds of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul. Now they are David’s who returned them to the rightful owners according to Moses and Joshua. The places named were on both sides of the Jordan River given again to the rightful tribes. Jacob landed in and settled in Shechem when he returned to the promised land after having many children (Genesis 33:17-18). Now Israel reclaims the land from other nations because of assured victories at the right hand of God.
The first teaching is thus the Lord God gives, takes away, and then returns. He always keeps his promise. Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21)
