I Chronicles 18:1

See Chapter Introduction Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 19

After this, it is said (Ch1 18:1), David did those great exploits. After the sweet communion he had had with God by the word and prayer, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, he went on his work with extraordinary vigour and courage, conquering and to conquer. Thus Jacob, after his vision, lifted up his feet, Gen 29:1. We have taken a view of these victories before, and shall now only observe, 1. Those that have been long enemies to the Israel of God will be brought down at last. The Philistines had, for several generations, been vexatious to Israel, but now David subdued them, Ch1 18:1. Thus shall all opposing rule, principality, and power, be, at the end of time, put down by the Son of David, and the most inveterate enemies shall fall before him. 2. Such is the uncertainty of this world that frequently men lose their wealth and power when they think to confirm it. Hadarezer was smitten as he went to establish his dominion, Ch1 18:3. 3. A horse is a vain thing for safety, so David said (Psa 33:17), and it seems he believed what he said, for he houghed the chariot-horses, Ch1 18:4. Being resolved not to trust to them (Psa 20:7), he would not use them. 4. The enemies of God's church are often made to ruin themselves by helping one another, Ch1 18:5. The Syrians of Damascus were smitten when they came to help Hadarezer. When hand thus joins in hand they shall not only not go unpunished, but thereby they shall be gathered as the sheaves into the floor, Mic 4:11, Mic 4:12. 5. The wealth of the sinner sometimes proves to have been laid up for the just. The Syrians brought gifts, Ch1 18:6. Their shields of gold and their brass were brought to Jerusalem, Ch1 18:7, Ch1 18:8. As the tabernacle was built of the spoils of the Egyptians, so the temple of the spoils of other Gentil…

18:1–20:8 This section recounts David’s wars and military achievements, presenting David as the great warrior of Israel’s history. This account relates the public and political aspects of David’s enemies, but it deals very little with their private affairs. • Three distinct sections reflect accounts in Samuel: (1) the battles in the expansion of the kingdom (18:1-17; see 2 Sam 8:1-16); (2) the battle against the Ammonites (1 Chr 19:1–20:3; see 2 Sam 10:1–11:1; 12:30-31); and (3) the exploits of David’s mighty men (1 Chr 20:4-8; see 2 Sam 21:18-22). Each section begins with a chronological transition (after this) that loosely joins these events (1 Chr 18:1; 19:1; 20:4). 18:1-17 These war records tell the story of David’s expanding kingdom in conquering the Philistines (18:1), Moab (18:2), Zobah (18:3-4), Damascus (18:5-6), and Edom (18:12-13); these include records of David’s international relations, spoils, and tribute (18:7-11). A recurring theme is that the Lord made David victorious wherever he went (18:6, 13). 18:1 The Philistines posed a constant threat to David’s kingdom (see study notes on Josh 13:2; 19:43; Judg 3:3). They remained entrenched in their coastal settlements; although David conquered Gath and its surrounding towns, a Philistine king remained in Gath at the end of David’s reign (1 Kgs 2:39).