THE LORD GAVE VICTORY. 1st Chronicles 18 To explain how Solomon acquired an abundance of materials, including gold, silver, and bronze, for the construction of the temple, the chronicler provided a brief account of the military victories under the leadership of King David. The Jews who returned from Babylon were in a desolate situation and needed to understand their history to make sense of the present. Why was the temple they were to build so significant? How should they begin, and where could they obtain all the necessary building materials? The purpose of the book of 1st Chronicles was to inspire them to rebuild what had been destroyed. They learned that God had His way of supplying everything needed. Man's heart has not changed, and the biblical injunction to believers of "having food and raiment let us be therewith content" is not very common, even among the Lord's people.
By nature, people tend to accumulate material goods for themselves and use them in ways that impress others, if possible. All the nations surrounding Israel during David's reign were wealthy in gold, silver, and bronze, and they adorned their weapons of war with precious materials. Officers displayed gold shields to visibly signify their position in battle and earn respect from those under them. Apparently, these precious metals were utilized for a wide variety of items associated with idol worship, and were either taken by the victorious Israelites or given to David.
All the gifts and spoils of war that David’s army brought back from the battles they fought were set aside for the Lord. These treasures would likely be used when Solomon built the temple during his reign as king.
David’s army defeated the Philistines numerous times through God's power. However, this is the only record of a Philistine city, Gath, being captured. Gath would have posed the greatest threat to Israel as it was closest to Israelite territory. Moab, located to the east of Israel, was a longstanding enemy, even though David’s great-grandmother, Ruth, was from Moab.
The Lord granted victory after victory to David and his men, who wisely gathered all that precious metal for the construction of the temple. David adhered to the teachings of the word of God, even ensuring that the horses were used solely for peaceful work rather than for rapid charges into battle. Rather than "trusting in horses," God's people were to place their trust in the Lord. It was evident to all—the soldiers, David, and now the returning slaves—that it was God working for His people that made possible what was beyond their ability.
God had promised Abraham in the ancient past a land whose boundaries He had described. David reached nearly all those boundaries as God gave victory after victory over their foes. Human skill and "luck" really were not involved in this remarkable time in Israel's history. God had raised up a leader He could trust; he was a "man after God's own heart." Justice and love coexisted in his heart without conflict. Truth and grace were demonstrated in this unique leader. Mercy and judgment were integral to David's decision-making as he dealt righteously with the Lord's people and the conquered foes.
Order and obedience are necessary for proper advancement in any action we take in life. A family's joy and contentment depend on the character of the parents, who guide the family’s life in a way that can be passed down to their children. The same qualities are essential in an assembly of God's people to maintain a spirit of worship and service. Haphazard methods and carelessness, especially when Satan opposes God's work, lead to the demise of scriptural testimony. A nation and an assembly of Christians need leaders who recognize the enemies and know how to defend their citizens from all types of attack.
Peace comes at a price. Our peace with God was "made through the blood of His cross." For Israel to have peace, its enemies must be defeated. For the house of God to be built, access to the necessary materials had to be provided. Under David's leadership, God provided both, and the resources were gathered and kept for the right purpose, not for personal use or extravagance. Personal and financial success granted to God's people is for reasonable uses. It is up to each of us who have been entrusted with material benefits to determine how and where these resources can be employed for the right purposes. Our awareness that God has placed this into our hands should inspire a desire to use it for His glory and honor.
Our work and expertise may have made the accumulation of the "good things of life" possible, but a wise person takes time to consider why God has allowed us to have this, how to use it, and where such largesse should be utilized. When all God has entrusted to us is truly dedicated to Him, He will guide us on how it should be used. Then, we are responsible for taking action and using these things for Him as trustworthy stewards. A willing heart and a cheerful giver are a good combination for producing good fruit.
Victories are one thing, and the bounty we receive, which is entrusted to us, is another; this can be a real burden. David's leadership over the nation of Israel encompassed more than just warfare and accumulated wealth. He understood his responsibility for the welfare of the people under his leadership. He "executed judgment and justice" in ways that God intended. They were God's people and deserved to be treated as such.
Acting justly toward others can inspire their love for you because of what you offer them. It is necessary to be "just" as well. Fairness and righteousness go hand in hand, but not everyone is capable of this. God the Holy Spirit raises up those He gifts and chooses to lead God's people. Therefore, leaders must maintain a close fellowship with God so they can make "just and right" decisions regarding the needs of God's people.
Other people can be designated to fill roles for the work of the Lord. A wise leader can delegate responsibility to others and grant them the space to fulfill that responsibility by using their God-given gifts. Each person suited for a particular task needs to commit to that work and refrain from interfering with others or criticizing those in different areas of delegated responsibility. The unified group is effective when each one does "unto the Lord" their part to fulfill their role.
These principles had to be taught and learned by those Jews who returned from Babylon to restart what had been accomplished generations earlier. This was lost when poor leaders misled the people of God after David's reign. These accounts of warfare during David’s reign would have demonstrated to the Israelites who returned from captivity in Babylon that God blesses His people when they obey and serve Him. He keeps His promises to those who submit to His sovereign authority. He can use them to defeat enemies, promote His kingdom, and uphold responsibilities to His people in both secular and sacred service.
The condition of life and the soul of God's people greatly depend on the quality of their leaders. Military leaders impart specific characteristics to those they lead, such as whether they act carelessly or diligently. Those responsible for maintaining historical records are akin to those today who ensure checks and balances, preventing God's people from moving too quickly or being overly cautious due to the fear of making mistakes. The worship and witness of an assembly follow the direction set by those who offer public testimony. Accountability is also essential; those who oversee God's people must possess strong spiritual discernment. It is God who grants victories and assigns responsibilities.
Enemies have come against God’s people in the past. They have rallied huge forces together, believing that opposing forces are equal. Yet they did not consider that when they opposed the children of God, they faced the One who sets the course of nations: the Almighty God. The odds should not factor into determining whether something is right or wrong. The Lord can bring the mighty down and make the weak strong. To ensure that our actions are truly right, we must take the time to seek God’s will before we begin.
If we are not careful, we can think just like the world. Even Christians may believe God is with us when we raise our battle flags. Our calling is clear in our minds, and our enthusiasm is high—we are sure we are destined to win. However, going ahead of God’s will or lagging behind is equally sinful. “The Lord preserves the simple” is true, but being wise is more important. Trying to do God’s work on our own will reduce us to size. The Lord who initiates a work must be the One who opens the door. He is the One who sets the starting time and determines when the event is over.
Our biggest concern is to be ready and willing when He gives the “go ahead.” We can trust Him implicitly as He leads His people. He understands the opposition, what needs to be done, and how to achieve His objective. When the battle for truth is won, all glory belongs to God alone.
For many years, I have proven that the Lord preserves me. Some of my choices have not been right, although I sought to serve Him. When I tried to do God’s work in my own way, I discovered that it was a big mistake. He preserved me by stopping me from going too far, so that I would follow His path. In personal matters and family life, the Lord is indeed present. I must heed His guidance in the work of the Gospel and teaching the saints. As I pause this morning and look ahead, I am putting my trust in Him to preserve His servant and open doors, so we may bring glory to God.