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 am I facing right now?
- Am I relying on my own strength, or am I relying on the Lord?
- What is my response to victory? Am I quick to think about the next battle without giving God the glory, or do I praise Him for getting me 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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2 thoughts on “1 Chronicles 18”
Two key ideas stand out in David’s narrative of victories:
1. It was the Lord who gave victory to David wherever he went. (v 6, 13)
2. What David seized from battle, he dedicated to the Lord. (v 11)
Notice that both the battle and the victory belong to the Lord. How often do we experience victory and either steal God’s rightful glory, or forget to thank him? Whatever gifts, abilities or resources we possess are providentially placed in our hands, how we steward them is our gift back to the Father. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17
God is good. David messed up, was messing up even while this victory was going on BUT GOD wanted him and us to see that when we are faithful in little He is faithful in much. David listened and obeyed, God gave the increase. The flip side of this is David knew Deut. 17:14-17 + : basically that scripture states that a king has 3 things he is forbidden to do: 1. He was not to accumulate horses. 2. He was not to accumulate wives 3. He was not to accumulate gold and silver. David was doing well with 1 and 3 but 2 was and as we will see hinders him greatly. What is the one(or more) thing that hinders our walk, our battle we fight, that thing that causes us to think that God can’t see that one sin? David’s was lust. God made and makes the way to fight all our battles for us to win. This begins and ends with God, His word, Holy Spirit, knowing Jesus, walking and talking with Him minutely!! It is not just a daily, in the morning or whenever devotion time is but minute by minute, all day long, while you are conscious, prayer, talk, 1 Thess 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
God I rejoice in You!! WOOHOO!!! I give You the glory and honor for me being able to remember to talk with You minute by minute. I desire that fellowship, community, and oneness with You GOD. Thank You that I can be thankful in ALL circumstances that come my way today. Thank You for loving me in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!