Read 1 Chronicles 18
David’s Victories
18 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.
2 David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to him and brought him tribute.
3 Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah, in the vicinity of Hamath, when he went to set up his monument at the Euphrates River.4 David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.
5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
7 David took the gold shields carried by the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah and Kun, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, David took a great quantity of bronze, which Solomon used to make the bronze Sea, the pillars and various bronze articles.
9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold, of silver and of bronze.
11 King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold he had taken from all these nations: Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek.
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
David’s Officials
14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. 15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; 16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was secretary; 17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.
Go Deeper
“David’s Victories”. The title of this chapter is truly a beautiful one. When we put our hope in the Lord and act according to His will, we will be victorious. Praise God! We will defeat our enemies with the Lord on our side. Many of us find ourselves battling something, although our own battles may look different than David’s.
Whether it’s a mental, physical, or emotional battle, the Lord wants us to be victorious! We may crave victory, but we will not achieve it without a carefully considered battle strategy. This chapter tells us there is only one truly infallible strategy against what we are fighting, and that way is through Jesus.
Verses 9-11 give us a clear picture of how to give God the glory after our victory. Once King Tou of Hamath hears of David’s victory, the king has his son seek out David to learn his battle strategy. David’s response proves his trustworthiness and his faithfulness, as he dedicates the victory and the gifts back to the Lord. Sometimes once the battle is won, we are so focused on the victory we forget who made it possible in the first place.
It is not our own doing, but it is the Lord through us who achieves the victory. What a way to share the gospel with those asking about our victories, whether they are small or big! This chapter stirs us to put our hope in the Lord, and reminds us of how big a role He wants to play in our lives. He wants us to be victorious in every battle we face, and He wants to accomplish big things through us.
Questions
- What battles are you facing right now?
- Are you relying on my own strength, or are you relying on the Lord?
- What is your response to victory? Are you quick to think about the next battle without giving God the glory, or do you praise Him for getting you through the battle?
Pray This
God,
Thank you for not abandoning me in the middle of my battle. It is because of You that I am able to breathe, battle, and praise you.Open my eyes to see that the victories you have for me might look different than what I have pictured right now. Thank you for your provision and your promise of eternal victory with You in Heaven. Thank you for showing me a strategy of dependence on Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I pray that my life would be full of victories and ways to share the Gospel in Your name. Amen.
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9 responses to “1 Chronicles 18”
David’s Victory’s
Our victory’s
Our battles stem from either our sin or our broken world. If pride gets in the way, it is holds us back from a true relationship with God. BUT GOD makes a way for us to be victorious through Jesus Christ and His shed blood. We have to trust ( there is that word again) that, just like David, vs 6 and 13 says And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. When we put that trust into God we will have victory wherever we go.
In the article from the Bible Project, it states : https://bibleproject.com/articles/chronicles-not-just-repeat/
“The Chronicler is doing something else. He is using all of the best moments in David’s story and creating a “literary portrait” of a “greater than David.” The Chronicler had also read and pondered the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah, who pointed towards a “new David.” That is, a future king from David’s line who would be the kind of ruler that Israel’s monarchy never quite lived up to. Even historical David was not the ideal king, but he was a good start. Good enough that the Chronicler adapts the past portrait of David to become an image of the future, hoped-for David that Israel was still waiting for after the exile.”
We have hope through Jesus Christ, because of what He did, He was the greater David. We can have that true relationship with God and be victiorous because of Jesus. David had victory because of he was a man after God’s own heart in a time where he had to earn said status. We have victory because Jesus died for our status with the Father. His blood covers it. We still have to search Him, and trust with believing action and shema hearing of obedience to have victory’s.
God thank You for victory’s. God thank You for my pride letting go. You have me, I know that I know deep in my knower. God, I come to Youu with open hands and a contrite heart. Let me hear with shema hearing, to obedience to what You have to say. God I claim victory over my marriage, my son, and my self reliance. God You have given me so many victory’s time and time again. I do know that I can trust You. Thank You that my view of You is growing bigger and greater. God I am full of gratitude that as I give thanks in ALL things You show me better, that is edifing and glorifing to You. God I am rejoicing and giving thanks today for all of these things and moreb ecause it is Your will for me in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I say it, pray it and believe it, amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, Amy! Such profound truth!
Here’s how I read this:
“One person (David) had victory, defeating others because he had to earn his status.
Now all persons have victory and sin is defeated because Jesus willingly died for our status.”
Woo hoo!
❤❤❤
“David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people”(v14).
King David foreshadows the Messiah, King Jesus, the one who was, and is, and is to come! The Righteous One who gave his life as a ransom to cover our penalty of sin on the cross, then rose again 3 days later. So great a love implores us to live radically for him.
13 “ The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.”
Wow! I’ve had times like this in my life where I’ve felt “on fire” . . . everything seems to be going right. In the midst of that, it is so difficult to keep eyes on God and not be self-congratulatory!
This struggle is real when we’re riding the high of God.
Yes!
David’s actions set the stage for future generations. His commitment to God and his leadership left a lasting legacy.
We are encouraged to consider the legacy we are leaving behind and to live in a way that honors God and inspires others.
All glory to God!
A confession:
Before I turned to this morning’s reading, I’d been hanging out in a mentally and spiritually unhealthy place. I want to leave such things behind — for good — to head for my Bible and hang out with God. I just wish it wasn’t such a battle.
“How long, O Lord, how long?” (IOW, will I EVER escape such ruthless, intrusive thoughts?)
Which is why today’s reading didn’t just hit close to home — it carved straight to the bone. God’s strength — David’s victories.
How often do I try to fight my own battles — in my own strength — instead of relying on the Lord?
Then I read “the Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” The key wasn’t David’s strategy or stamina; it was God’s presence and favor. My personal, internal victories must come from the same source.
David didn’t go it alone — he involved others in his success. Loyal companions, wise advisors, faithful servants. Lately I’ve discovered just how deeply I depend on community. How essential it is to have people show up for you, cheer for you and fight alongside you!
And David didn’t just receive victory — he gave back, modeling a powerful example of righteous stewardship. By dedicating the spoils of war to God, David publicly declared that each victory belonged TO God — and any earthly reward already came FROM God. Stewardship is something we’ve tried to be faithful to in my family. We firmly believe (and include in our family mission statement) “Our resources are given by God, to be used by God, as God directs.” Even in victory, we must stay oriented toward God’s purposes rather than our own recognition.
Finally, once again, we’re reminded of the importance of legacy. David’s obedience shaped future generations. Lately I’ve had to consider things like “inheritance” and “lasting impact” a great deal. My choices today don’t stop with me; they ripple outward to those who come after.
When I step back to see the whole story, here’s what I find:
• We rely on God. Victory is from Him.
• We invite others — those who come alongside us.
• We give back to God. Our rewards return to Him.
• We impact others — those who come behind us.
Lord, may I continue to live this way each day: relying on You and returning to you, as I engage my fellow believers in kingdom purpose… for eternal impact.