I Chronicles 18 (NIV)

Summary:

David's Victories
Verses 1-13

Over time, David defeated the Philistines.  He took Gath and its villages from them.  He defeated the Moabites, who paid tribute to him as his subjects.  He fought Hadadezer king (King Had) of Zobah, all the way to Hamath, when King Had was trying to establish control along the Euphrates.  David captured from Zobah - 1,000 chariots; 7,000 charioteers; 20,000 foot soldiers; and he hamstrung all but 100 horses.  The Arameans of Damascus came to King Had's aid.  David struck down 22,000 of them.  He put garrisons (troops) in Damascus and the Arameans paid tribute to him as his subjects.

"The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went." (Verse 6b)

David took from King Had to Jerusalem - the gold shields from Had's officers, and a lot of bronze from Had's towns of Tebah and Cun.  This bronze was later used by Solomon to make the bronze Sea, the pillars, and other bronze articles for the Lord's temple.

Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated King Had and his army.  Tou sent his son Hadoram to greet and congratulate David, because King Had had been at war with Tou.  Hadoram brought articles of gold, silver, and bronze.  David dedicated all articles from Hadoram, Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek to God.

Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.  He put garrisons (troops) in Edom and the Edomites became subject to David.

"The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went."  (Verse 13b)

David's Officials
Verses 14-17

**Author's Note: "s." is short for "son of".

David reigned over Israel, doing what was just and right for his people.

Joab s. Zeruiah - head of the army
Jehoshaphat s. Ahilud - recorder
Zadok s. Ahitub & Ahimelech s. Abiathar - priests
Shavsha - secretary
Benaiah s. Jehoiada - leader of the Kerethites & Pelethites
David's sons - chief officials at the king's side

Lori's Thoughts:

David was able to do mighty things, because he devoted his loyalty and his life to God.  All enemies that rose up against him, David defeated by God's hand, might, and power.  We can do this too.  If we dedicate our lives to serving God, you can be sure we will be attacked time and time again, by the devil, in various ways.  However, because we are devoted to God, He will give us victory in everything we do for Him.

Now, David wasn't perfect and neither are we.  Sometimes, we mess up.  Sometimes we forget that we need God, because things are going so well.  If something goes wrong, it is not because our Father has abandoned or forgotten us.  It is because we are in danger of slipping away from Him and He is calling our attention to retighten our grip on Him.

Although David didn't build the temple, he helped by winning over the bronze that would be used to make some of the temple's articles.  God let David be a part of this beautiful thing he had had in mind.  That and his son built it, which was also an honor to David.  (See I Chronicles 17 for the background story.)

Sometimes we bless others by our actions, indirectly.  David defeated Tou's enemy and won Tou over as an ally.  They didn't mention it in the Bible, but I'd like to think that souls were won over for God because of David's example.  Maybe you and I can do the same - stand up against evil and, thus, help protect others and bring them to God.

I don't know about you, but I long for the day when our just and right Ruler is established among us, as our King.  He is in my heart.  I want Him as King of my world - a world without evil.