1 Chronicles 18-19 - Godly Battles

LINK:1 Chronicles 18-19
Parallel Passage: 2 Samuel 8-10
Psalm 60

BACKGROUND
Chapters 18-20 tell of wars David fought in order to regain and protect the land of Israel.

The Philistines were to the west and had been attacking Israel every chance they got.

The Moabites were to the east and became enemies of Israel when they hired Balaam to curse them. Before that time, they had lived in peace with each other. The Moabites were related to the Jews because they were descended from Lot. And David's great-grandmother Ruth was a Moabite.

To the north, in the area of the Euphrates, were the Arameans and Syrians. Once David subdued them, they paid tribute and were servants to David.

Edom was to the south, as were the Amalekites. Edomites were descendants of Esau and longtime enemies of Israel. The Amalekites were supposed to have been destroyed by Saul.

We already covered Psalm 60 last year, but I included the link as a parallel passage, because this psalm was written by David during the battles described in 1 Chronicles 18 (and 2 Samuel 8). It's neat to read it again in light of its historical context.

REFLECTION
Battles! War! These chapters are all about fighting. Yet, the Lord helped David in these battles. Why would God want people to fight? and even help them?

Acquiring these lands helped to fulfill God's promises of what Israel's boundaries would be. This was land that the Lord had promised to his people. Some of it was land that had been lost under Saul's reign, and some of it was land that had never been claimed since Joshua led the Israelites into the land. God was fulfilling his promises to Israel.

David's military action also led to a time of peace and safety for the nation of Israel. God gave him rest on all sides. Now God's people could live normal lives without the constant threat of invasion. They could be about God's business. God was providing peace to Israel.

And, speaking of God's business, many of the riches that David's armies brought back from battle went into the treasury for the temple that Solomon would build. God was providing materials for the temple.

APPLICATION
The Church today is not a military organization. Yet there is spiritual territory that we can be claiming for the Lord, just as David claimed physical territory. God has provided peace to us, and we should be about God's business. Are you fighting the spiritual battles for your faith and the faith of others? Are you claiming the promises God has given you and acting boldly to see them come to completion? Are you living by faith and obedience to Christ? These are the fights we must fight as believers.

PRAYER
Father, teach us to fight the good fight, to grow in our faith, to keep the faith. Let us pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness in service to you and guard the faith you have given us. In the name of Jesus, amen.