Encouragement–a Triumphant Message (vv. 6-8). How David received this message from the Lord isn’t explained to us, but he was quick to believe it and pass it along to the people. The message describes Jehovah as a Warrior who defeated the nations in Canaan and divided the land among His people (vv. 6-7; see Ex.15:3, 13-18; Josh. 18:10). Shechem was the chief city in Ephraim and, with Succoth, was located west of the Jordan River, while Gilead and Manasseh (the half tribe) were east of the Jordan River. The patriarch Jacob was connected with both Succoth and Shechem (Gen. 33:17-18). Ephraim was a strong tribe, called to defend Israel (“helmet”); and Judah was chosen to be the royal tribe, bearing the scepter (Gen. 49:10). The Lord didn’t give the land to His people so they might lose it to their enemies! The Lord spoke with disdain of the enemies who attacked Israel, for both Edom and Moab were known for their arrogance (Isa. 16:6-14; Obad.; and see Ex. 15:14-15; Num. 20:14-21). In God’s eyes, Moab was nothing but a basin used for washing dirty feet, and Edom was a servant who cleaned dirty shoes! (David was related to the Moabites; see Ruth 4:13-22.) As for Israel’s perpetual enemies, the Philistines, over them God would “raise the shout of victory” (v. 8 ab). David claimed these promises by faith, sent part of the army led by Joab and Abishai to the south to fight Moab, and later joined them for a great victory. Fighting on two fronts isn’t easy, but God gave the victory.