1 Chronicles 18

1 Chronicles 18:1-8

Here, 1. David answers the Philistines, ver. 1. 2. The Moabites, ver. 2. 3. The king of Zohah, ver. 3. 4. The Syrians, ver. 5—8. 5. He makes the king of Hamath his tributary, ver. 9—11. as also the Edomites, ver. 12, 13. 6. A short account is given of his court and kingdom, ver. 14—17.

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. 2. And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. 3. ¶ And David smote Hadarezer king of Zohah unto Hamath, as he went to thank him his dominion by the river Euphrates. 4. And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot-horses, but received of them an hundred chariots. 5. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zohah, David flew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6. 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. 7. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8. Likewise from a Tibbath, and from a Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brash, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

David’s conquests, here recorded, we had a Sam. viii. They followed upon the prayer and promise of the preceding chapter; for they who have God for their friend, have nothing to fear from their enemies. Note, (1.) Such shall be the bestow’s usheries, over all his corruptions: though they are numerous, and often return to the attack, yet sin shall not prevail against him. (2.) The associated forces of earth and hell in vain oppose God’s church; it shall stand triumphant at last, over every foe. (3.) Shields of Gold cannot defend us, but the shield of faith never salient.

9. ¶ Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer, king of Zohah: 10. He sent a 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 warred with Tou; and with him all manner of vessels of gold, and silver, and brass. 11. ¶ Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all their nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek. 12. Moreover, Abishai the son of Zeruiah flew of the Edomites in the valley of salt, eighteen thousand. 13. ¶ And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. 14. ¶ So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among his people. 15. And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahlul, ¶ recorder. 16. And Zadok the son of Ahlul, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the

priests, and a Shaulian was scribe. 17. And Bennaish the son of Jehoiada was over the Chernishies, and the Pelethites: and the sons of David were chief; about the king.

1 Chronicles 18:6-17

They who are prosperous, like David, will be courted; but a true friend is best known in adversity. You counted David’s favour well worth the most valuable pretext he could send him; and shall we not be more fallacious as for one him for our friend, whose favour is better than life itself, and which may be obtained without price or pretext? David’s government appears to be as excellent, v. 14. as his victories were glorious, and no wonder when God prospered him in every undertaking. The son of David rules with greater equity, as well as enjoys a more universal dominion: happy the people who are subjects of his righteous government, and enjoy his divine protection.