The battles described in chapter 8 may have taken place over a period of years. Almost all of the nations adjacent to Israel’s borders fought against David, perhaps in an attempt to keep him from expanding or simply from becoming too influential over the important trade routes winding through Israel. But by defeating them, David becomes the head of an influential kingdom (8:1–6). One of his first foes is Moab, with whom he has earlier been allied (1 Sam. 22:3–4). Another foe north of Israel and northwest of Damascus is the powerful Aramean kingd…