1 Chronicles 20
-This precise and short chapter describes briefly some of
the conflicts the nation of Israel had in ongoing wars with neighboring people
groups. It begins with a time phrase of the spring time assault on the land of
the sons of Ammon and in particular Rabbah. This depiction does not include any
of the details as to what happened as David stayed in Jerusalem, but we get a
fuller picture of his disastrous activities in idleness during this campaign
when we parallel it with 2 Samuel 11 & 12. This was the time of his great
sin with Bathsheba in adultery and the murder of the husband-warrior who
trusted his king, Uriah. Although the LORD worked good in this situation by
providing the royal line of Solomon, this time had profound negative results in
David’s family life, and his kingdom was never the same in its purity.
Chronicles chooses not to focus on this, but this is the reality when we cross
reference from other Scripture to get the full details (see 2 Samuel 13-24).
-*Application* When God calls us to a work, we had better
get with it and not sit back in idleness. We have all heard that “idleness is
the devil’s workshop,” and this is true. We need to put our hands to the wheel,
so to speak, and get busy with the mighty advancing work of the Kingdom. There
is no time for self-pleasure and a propensity to go into “ease” where sin
crouches at the door to steal our blessing (Genesis 4:7). We should never stay
at home in our own Jerusalem.
-Nevertheless, the sons of Ammon were annihilated in their
cities by David’s mighty warriors and great spoils were taken back to the king (1
Chronicles 20:1-3). After this, war broke out again with the Philistines at
Gezer and again at Gath. Great men of gigantic proportions were killed and fell
to the sons of Israel in these conflicts because of their taunts against God’s people.
Victory upon victory occurred for the nation at this time (1 Chronicles 20:4-8).
-*Application* Do we have the courage to face giants like
David and his mighty men did? Our giants often have a different form than these
physical wonders of ancient times, but they are daunting none the less. These
types of giants require faith and determination to come up against, which can
only come from complete trust and reliance in the LORD. He is the One who
ultimately fights our battles (Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 1:30, Joshua 10:25,
Jeremiah 1:19), and He is the One who ultimately gives every great victory to
what would otherwise be a superior opponent or obstacle. Live by faith as a
valiant conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:37).
Verse to Memorize: 1
Chronicles 20:8
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