UNROLL
Dawn on the ridge of the City of David: beside a plain closed tent of dark goat hair and pale linen, round gold-covered shields lean against a wooden rack and bronze ingots lie stacked under coarse cloths, two Levites in linen standing quietly by, under a calm, pale sky.

The Book of

1 Chronicles 18

War after war, the LORD gives David the victory, and David lays the spoil aside for a house he will never build.

17 verses≈ 3 min5 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–9GenealogiesAll Israel, from Adam
  2. 10Saul fallsThe kingdom turned to David
  3. 11–12David kingAll Israel gathers
  4. 13–16The arkBrought home with songs
  5. 17The covenantA house forever
  6. 18–20David's warsThe LORD gave victoryChapter 18
  7. 21The siteOrnan's threshing floor
  8. 22–27Preparing the templePriests, Levites and singers
  9. 28–29David's farewellBe strong, and do the work

David’s Triumphs

The morning after, seen from a low hill among olive trees: Gath, a large Philistine town of mud brick and stone on its broad mound, its plain gate open and quiet; a few of David's men stand at ease by the gate while townsmen carry water jars.

Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines.

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David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

MoabAmmonSeir (Edom)ZobahEuphratesMesopotamiaJerusalemGathDamascusHamath

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

David’s wars

The Philistines on the coast, with Gath their chief town; Moab, Ammon and Edom east and south of the Dead Sea; Zobah and Damascus to the north, Hamath beyond, and Hadadezer reaching for the Euphrates. Across the river lies Aram-naharaim, ‘Aram of the two rivers’, which sends help to Ammon in the next chapter. The Valley of Salt (probably south of the Dead Sea), Tibhath and Cun are uncertain, and so is Zobah’s exact extent.

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.

Morning on a rocky hillside above the green oasis of Damascus: a small stone outpost where a handful of Israelite soldiers look out over orchards and flat roofs toward bare mountains and snowy Mount Hermon.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their 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.

0:16

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Wherever he went

Twice the chapter says it: “So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.” David fought hard, but the victories were the LORD’s. Where are you working hard right now? Write down how it would change things to say that the outcome is His.

By lamplight in a small stone treasury beside the ark's tent, two Levites in white linen set gold and silver vessels and gold shields carefully on plain wooden shelves.

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.

Hot, hazy morning in the Valley of Salt: white salt-crusted flats and low gray marl hills, the red mountains of Edom beyond; Abishai stands on a low rise with a few of David's men, looking out over the empty white plain.

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.

1 Chronicles 18:13

Question

Quick question

Chronicles follows the bronze David took from Hadadezer’s cities further than Samuel does.

According to Chronicles, what did Solomon later make from the bronze David took from Hadadezer’s cities?

David’s Officers

Morning in the gateway of the City of David: King David sits on a stone bench listening closely to a poor widow and a farmer, gray-bearded elders seated beside him, townspeople waiting in the shade.

Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:

David’s officials

The king’s court

  1. Army, records

    Joab and Jehoshaphat

    Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army;

    Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

  2. Priests, scribe

    Zadok, Ahimelech and Shavsha

    Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests;

    Shavsha was the scribe;

  3. Guard, officials

    Benaiah and David’s sons

    Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites;

    and David’s sons were chief officials at the king’s side.

Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people

1 Chronicles 18:14

Pray

Every victory is His

Thank the Lord that every victory is His, as it was when He “made David victorious wherever he went.” Pray for those who lead you, at home, at church and in your country, that they would do justice and righteousness “for all his people,” the weak as well as the strong. Thank God for Jesus, the Son of David, who will reign in justice forever. And ask Him to show you what in your hands should be set apart for Him. Amen.

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1 Chronicles 18

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A verse to carry with you

So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:13

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