07 May

Bible In 365 Days                                      

1 Chronicles 18-21

1 Chronicles 18

With slight variations, this chapter is identical with 2 Samuel 8:1-18. It tells the story of David's victories over surrounding foes by which he made the boundaries of his kingdom secure, and put himself in position to increase his trading facilities. First, he dealt with the Philistines on the southwest, and then turned to the northeast, where he secured a position on the great river. The Edomites were defeated by Joab and Abishai, and so security and opportunity to trade were made certain.

In view of the desire of the king to build the Temple of God, this chapter is of special interest, as it shows how in all these wars David was amassing treasure with that end in view. The Moabites and the Syrians brought presents. Shields of gold and much brass were gathered from the cities and servants of Hadarezer. Vessels of gold and silver and brass were sent by Tou. All these things were dedicated to the Lord.

Thus through all the days of conflict, and notwithstanding the fact that he was not to be personally permitted to build, the desire to accomplish his purpose burned in his heart.

The story suggests to us the possibility of our helping very really the work of God to which, in some respects, we may not be permitted to put our hands. The passion of the heart may have been to go into the foreign field of service, and for some reason the way is blocked, evidently by God. The temptation is to think that therefore we are excluded from that work. Let us rather set ourselves to gather treasure for the work, and so keep the passion burning.

1 Chronicles 19

David's attempt to deal kindly with the new king of Ammon was misrepresented and resented, and his messengers treated with indignity. The issue was their utter rout under Joab and Abishai, notwithstanding their confederacy with the Syrians.

The chapter ends with the account of the decisive victory of David over Zobah. The conflict would seem to have been thrice renewed. The first campaign resulted in David's capture of a position on the Euphrates (1 Chronicles 18: 3-8). The second victory was gained over them by Joab when they were the allies of Ammon. They gathered their forces for a final attempt after this defeat, and David overcame them, so that they made peace with him, and became his servants. Thus the consolidation of the kingdom went forward, while all the time the king was gathering treasure for building the Temple.

Victory is in itself a peril to any man. David's victories were the direct result of God's blessing on him. "The Lord gave victory to David whithersoever he went" (1 Chronicles 18:13). Yet in the midst of them he sinned his greatest sin, and that notwithstanding that in his deepest heart he desired the building of God's house. Constant watchfulness is the only guarantee of safety. Not even true desire and great blessing are sufficient if the heart be not personally watchful.

1 Chronicles 20

Joab's conquest of the children of Ammon was complete. They were despoiled of their possessions and reduced to servitude. There is practically no doubt that this is the meaning of the story as it is written here. In the Revised Version, verse 1 Chronicles 20:3, if the italicized word "them" is omitted, this sense is at once apparent. The people were put to the menial work of cutting with saws, with harrows, and with axes. The last mention of David's wars by the chronicler occupies the latter half of this chapter. It tells of the defeat of the Philistines at Gezer.

There is a statement in the first verse which is full of significance. "But David tarried at Jerusalem." That is the only reference in this Book to the most awful sin and failure of David's career. Its insertion would have no meaning in the purpose of this Book, but we ought not to allow ourselves to forget the warning it affords. Nothing is more subtly dangerous to the man of faith than to remain inactive when the business of God demands that he be out on the field of conflict. How many have found the place of ease to be of deadliest peril when the enterprises of God were calling them to strenuous endeavor. It is a very old adage, and very simple, and we are inclined to smile at it, but it is well to remember, not only in childhood, but to the end of the pathway, that Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do. For example. if I ought to be at Rabbah with the army, and am not, some Bathsheba waits to work my ruin.

1 Chronicles 21

The cause of David's action in numbering Israel is distinctly stated to be Satan. Therein lies a revelation of its nature. The one sin of Satan is that of pride and ambition, and this was the sin of David. His victories had resulted in the lifting up of his spirit, and in arrogance he would know the number of the people that he might make his boast therein. In this he persisted, notwithstanding the protest of Joab.

The chief interest of this chapter for us lies in the revelation of the true character of David. His sins were the lapses and accidents of his life. This is not to condone them. It is, however, to emphasize that the habitual set of his life was far otherwise than these sins suggest, and the deepest truth concerning him is revealed, not by the failures, but by his action afterwards. He confessed his sin frankly; chose to fall into the hands of God rather than any other for punishment; mourned over the death of the people because of his conviction that the sin was his, and refused to offer on the altar anything that had cost him nothing.

These things reveal, in order, his sense of sin and knowledge of himself, his knowledge of God and confidence in God's tender mercies, his love of his people, and his profound sense of what was due to God in worship. He sinned surely, but, after all, he was a man after God's own heart, and this is never more clearly manifest than in these dark days when God dealt with him for his wrongdoing. By comparison with the men of his own time, and the other kings of the nation, he stands pre-eminent in real godliness.