1 Chronicles 17-19: David Takes Control

Thoughts

Chronicles 17

David settles in his house and reflects on how he lives in a palace of cedar while the Ark of the Covenant is in a tent. He shares his thoughts with the prophet Nathan, who initially encourages him.

That night, God speaks to Nathan: David is not the one to build Him a house.

God recounts how He took David from shepherding sheep to ruling over Israel. He promises to make David’s name great and establish a secure place for Israel. He also tells David He will subdue his enemies. 

Instead of David building God a house, God will build David a “house” (a lasting dynasty) and one of David’s descendants will build the temple.

David acknowledges God’s greatness and uniqueness. He prays for God to fulfill His promises.

Chronicles 18

David defeats the Philistines, taking Gath and surrounding towns.Moab becomes subject to him and pay tribute.

He defeats Hadadezer, king of Zobah, extending his control to the Euphrates River.

When Arameans of Damascus come to help Hadadezer, David strikes them down.

David seizes golden shields and brings them to Jerusalem. He takes great quantities of bronze from cities under Hadadezer.

King Tou of Hamath sends his son Hadoram with gifts of gold, silver, and bronze, congratulating David for his victories. David dedicates all the silver and gold from nations he conquered to the Lord (Edom, Moab, Ammonites, Philistines, Amalek, and Zobah).

Abishai son of Zeruiah strikes down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. David sets up garrisons in Edom; all Edomites become subject to him.

David reigns over all Israel

• Joab son of Zeruiah is over the army.
• Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud is recorder.
• Zadok and Ahimelek serve as priests.
• Shavsha is secretary.
• Benaiah son of Jehoiada is over the Kerethites and Pelethites (elite bodyguard).
• David’s sons are chief officials by his side.

By the end of chapter 18, David’s had control over:

• South/East → Moab and Edom.
• North → Zobah and Damascus (Arameans/Syrians).
• West → Philistines.
• Other surrounding nations like the Ammonites and Amalekites were also taken or paying tribute.

Chronicles 19

Nahash, king of the Ammonites, dies and his son Hanun succeeds him. David sends messengers to express sympathy, remembering Nahash’s past kindness.

The Ammonite officials suspect instead that David’s envoys are spies. Hanun humiliates David’s servants by shaving their beards and cutting off their garments at the hips.

David tells them to stay in Jericho until their beards grow back.

Realizing they offended David, the Ammonites hire mercenaries:

• 32,000 chariots from Mesopotamia, Aram Maacah, and Zobah.
• The king of Maacah and his troops. They set up for battle near Medeba.

David responds by sending Joab with the entire army of mighty men. Joab sees battle lines before and behind (Ammonites in front, Arameans behind).

He divides his forces:

• Joab leads the best fighters against the Arameans.
• Abishai, his brother, takes the rest against the Ammonites.

The Arameans flee before Joab; seeing this, the Ammonites also flee from Abishai.

The Arameans regroup and bring reinforcements from across the Euphrates, led by Shophach, Hadadezer’s commander.

David personally leads Israel’s army against them. Israel kills 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers, including Shophach.

The kings who were vassals of Hadadezer make peace with David and serve him.After this, the Arameans are unwilling to help the Ammonites again.

Questions

Why did God want David to wait and Solomon to build temple?

Why did God’s words come through Nathan and not directly to David?

How do we celebrate “the Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (1 Chr 18:6, 13) and the modern reality that this huge warfare lead to mass casualties and is tragic and violent for many?

Application

These three chapters line up nicely as we see the Davidic covenant between God and David. Because of God’s covenant, David experienced victory wherever he went- Israel was unstoppable. However, because of God’s favor on David, we also see men led to suspicion and jealousy.

The same is true for us: when we live in God’s promises, not everyone will celebrate. Sometimes His blessings in our lives can stir up misunderstanding or even spiritual attacks.

But no matter what, God’s promises hold firm, and we can take rest in that!