I Chronicles 18: David's Military Victories and Kingdom Expansion
Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Then David put garrisons in Syria–damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
I Chronicles 18 recounts a series of David's military campaigns against Israel's surrounding enemies. These victories, presented in I Chronicles 18:1-17 and extending through chapter 20, showcase the breadth and might of David's reign as he solidified and expanded the kingdom of Israel. While not necessarily arranged chronologically, these battles serve to underscore David's divinely granted success and the establishment of Israel as a prominent power in the region.
The chronicler highlights David's triumphs over formidable foes, including the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Edomites. The key to David's success is emphasized in the recurring phrase: "the LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (I Chronicles 18:6, 13). This refrain serves as a crucial reminder to the readers that God was the ultimate source of David's military prowess. David's victories weren't simply the result of his own strategic brilliance or strength; they were a direct consequence of God's favor and intervention.
Beyond mere military conquest, David also collected substantial spoils from his defeated adversaries. They brought him tribute (I Chronicles 18:2, 6), and he seized their gold, silver, and bronze items (I Chronicles 18:7-11). However, David's accumulation of wealth wasn't driven by personal greed or ambition. Instead, he dedicated these spoils to the LORD (I Chronicles 18:11), setting them aside for future kingdom purposes. Specifically, these resources were intended to be used by Solomon in the construction of the temple (I Chronicles 18:8), fulfilling a long-held desire of David's heart to create a permanent dwelling place for God.
David's actions exemplify a profound kingdom principle: God often orchestrates the transfer of resources from the wicked to the righteous for His purposes. This concept is beautifully captured in Proverbs 13:22: "the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous." David's tribute and plunder, therefore, serve as a powerful illustration of this divine providence. A kingdom-minded perspective recognizes that God strategically moves resources, ensuring they are ultimately utilized for the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of His people.
Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
Then David put garrisons in Syria–damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
Them also king David dedicated unto the Lord, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
I Chronicles 18 recounts a series of David's military campaigns against Israel's surrounding enemies. These victories, presented in I Chronicles 18:1-17 and extending through chapter 20, showcase the breadth and might of David's reign as he solidified and expanded the kingdom of Israel. While not necessarily arranged chronologically, these battles serve to underscore David's divinely granted success and the establishment of Israel as a prominent power in the region.
The chronicler highlights David's triumphs over formidable foes, including the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Ammonites, Amalekites, and Edomites. The key to David's success is emphasized in the recurring phrase: "the LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (I Chronicles 18:6, 13). This refrain serves as a crucial reminder to the readers that God was the ultimate source of David's military prowess. David's victories weren't simply the result of his own strategic brilliance or strength; they were a direct consequence of God's favor and intervention.
Beyond mere military conquest, David also collected substantial spoils from his defeated adversaries. They brought him tribute (I Chronicles 18:2, 6), and he seized their gold, silver, and bronze items (I Chronicles 18:7-11). However, David's accumulation of wealth wasn't driven by personal greed or ambition. Instead, he dedicated these spoils to the LORD (I Chronicles 18:11), setting them aside for future kingdom purposes. Specifically, these resources were intended to be used by Solomon in the construction of the temple (I Chronicles 18:8), fulfilling a long-held desire of David's heart to create a permanent dwelling place for God.
David's actions exemplify a profound kingdom principle: God often orchestrates the transfer of resources from the wicked to the righteous for His purposes. This concept is beautifully captured in Proverbs 13:22: "the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous." David's tribute and plunder, therefore, serve as a powerful illustration of this divine providence. A kingdom-minded perspective recognizes that God strategically moves resources, ensuring they are ultimately utilized for the advancement of His kingdom and the blessing of His people.