Having established himself on the throne, David wages successful wars against the neighboring kings. Until now the Israelites had won victories over the Philistines more than once...
Having established himself on the throne, David wages successful wars against the neighboring kings. Until now the Israelites had won victories over the Philistines more than once, but for the first time the narrator says not only that David defeated the Philistines but also that he subdued them, which means that he forced them to abandon their aggressive claims.
Significantly, David does not keep the spoils of war for himself but dedicates them to the Lord, not forgetting who the chief defender of Israel is.
But the biblical narrator notes not only David’s successful efforts to strengthen the borders and defeat external enemies. No less important is David’s effort to establish just government in the state, administering justice and righteousness among his people. Establishing the principles of justice in the state is no lesser achievement than defending it against enemies, while governing the country according to the highest laws is perhaps more difficult than routing pagan hordes.