1 Chronicles 18:1 – 17 “David’s Triumphs (2 Samuel 8:1-14; Psalm 60:1-12)
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.
As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men. Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
And David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and various bronze articles.
When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze, and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.
Moreover, Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
David’s Officers (2 Samuel 8:15-18)
Thus David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.”
WOW! When God gives someone victory, He doesn’t mess around! Not only does David defeat the Philistines and the Moabites, but he also defeats other kings as far away as the Euphrates River. David is fabulously successful in battle, even capturing 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and all the horses for these chariots. Wisely, David only preserves enough horses for 100 chariots, following God’s instructions that a king of Israel is not to multiply chariots or horses for himself.
When we read about King Solomon building the temple, we need to remember that much of the wealth that went into that temple actually came from David’s conquests. The bronze used to create the bronze sea, the pillars, and the various bronze articles in Solomon’s temple also comes from these conquests.
No man is an island and David is no exception to this rule. If David is phenomenally successful, it’s because God has raised up brilliant priests, scribes, administrators, and military leaders who carry out the work of the kingdom. Every one of the men mentioned in this account is a star in his own right. The proof of this assertion is that God has preserved the names of these men so that even thousands of years later, we still know about them.
APPLICATION: Sometimes we work and wonder if anybody is really watching or if anybody really cares. Does it matter if we preserve ethical standards of medical care? If we refuse to cut corners in business, does anybody notice? If we teach our students true historical facts rather than something that is politically expedient, will it really matter, especially if we might pay for our honesty with our jobs?
TAKE HEART! God is watching and God takes note of everything you are doing. None of your efforts are falling to the ground useless. Just look at this list of outstanding professionals who supported David. God could have allowed them to be forgotten; however, we recognize these names because repeatedly these men are honored for their work.
We are living in a day and age when truth is under fire and many wish to re – write history to suit their particular political views. But truth has an uncomfortable habit of rearing its defiant head, even when someone attempts to suppress it. When Jesus was standing trial before Pontius Pilate, Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” God’s Word is truth, whether we like it or not. In the end, we will be judged by our attitude towards God’s Word. If we accept God’s Word as true and righteous, if we honor God’s Word by following it, then we have nothing to fear. But if we have insisted that we can remodel God’s Word to suit ourselves, twisting it to justify our pet sins, there will come a time when our prevarications will shout loudly against us. May God help us to persistently study and honor His Word!
Galatians 6:7 – 9 tells us, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” God is still on the throne and is still watching to help us! Let us look to Him and remain faithful.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to honor Your Word and to study it. Help us to remain faithful to You wherever You have called us, even in the face of adversity. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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