1 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines.
Folks who don’t understand, or care to understand Scripture, often say that Israel was a bloodthirsty nation on a mission to kill everyone in their way, but this simply does not line up with the facts. This chapter shows this. David could have completely wiped out each of his enemies. But instead, he spared their lives and allowed them to live, albeit as servants. They had to live within certain restrictions laid out by the terms of their surrender. They probably had to pay a heavy tax to Israel each year. They probably gave a portion of their crops and livestock. They probably could not travel as easily. Was it complete freedom? No. Was it death? No. I feel like this when I realize that I spend the first three and a half months of the year paying for the taxes I owe each year. I feel this way when I go through airport security. Freedom always has it limits. But I get to enjoy significant freedoms despite the burdens of government. I can travel. I can afford to travel. I can go visit my grandchildren and children. I can afford a camera to snap pictures. I have a computer with high speed internet. I don’t generally have to worry about crime, though I do lock my doors at night and my car doors during the day. Israel has always been a nation under attack. We are at war because of the attacks. For those of us who serve in the military, everyone’s freedoms are paid for by our sacrifices. We spend half our time deployed or training for deployment. What other job spends half their working life separated from their families being shot at and blown up. Freedom has its costs.
The Arnold Journey 