David achieved many victories. In view of the writers intentions there are two key points. The first is that it happened "in the course of time", and secondly these victories occurred before the temple was built. God's victories in our lives do not occur instantly, they take place over time. When He took them into the Promised Land God gave them victory "little by little" (Deut 7:22). Often we don't like where we are, we know where would like to be, and may even have some idea of where God wants to take us. We would like to be there instantly. We need to learn to live in the inbetween times, for all our life in this age is an inbetween time.
Then the victories happened before the temple was built. The Israelites who had returned from exile needed to realise that the lack of the completion of the temple did not mean that God could not work through them. Likewise, there may be major things lacking in our life, major things that still need to be accomplished or put right. That may be so, but we can still win significant victories today. God is used to working with the imperfect (eg you and me!).
Moreover, these victories lay the foundation for the future. Some of the stuff that David captured was used in the temple that Solomon built (v8).
The most important things was that "David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people" (v14). So it is with us. Today, no matter how imperfect the situation seems, let us do what is right today. In doing this we will win victories and lay down a foundation for the future.
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