1st Chronicles 18 THE LORD GAVE VICTORY To explain the way material such as gold, silver and bronze that was used by Solomon in the building of the temple, the chronicler wrote a brief account of the military victories of the past under the leadership of David the king. The Jews who returned from the years in Babylon were in a desolate place and needed to know the history of their past so they could get a sense of the present. Why was the temple they were to build so important? How should they begin and where would they get all the building materials they needed? The point of the book of 1st Chronicles was to motivate them to rebuild that which had been torn down. They learned that God had His own way of providing all that was needed.
By nature, people want to accumulate material goods for themselves and use them in ways to impress others if possible. All the nations around Israel at the time of David's reign were wealthy in gold, silver, bronze and used precious material on their weapons of war. Gold shields were used by officers likely to visibly define their position in a battle and promote a certain respect from those under them. Apparently, these precious metals were used for a wide variety of articles that were used in idol worship, and either were taken by the victorious Israelites or given to David. The heart of man 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.
The Lord gave victory after victory to David and his military men who wisely gathered all that precious metal so it could be used in the building of the temple. David followed the teaching of the word of God even to making the horses only usable for peaceful work, not for riding at speed into a battle. Rather than "trusting in horses" God's people were to put their trust in the Lord. It was evident to all: the soldiers, David - and now to returned slaves that it was God working for His people that made possible that which was beyond their ability.
God had promised Abraham in the ancient past a land who boundaries He had described. David reached nearly all of those boundaries as God gave victory after victory over their foes. Human skill and "luck" really were not involved in this remarkable time of Israel's history. God had raised up a leader He could trust and who was a "man after God's own heart." Justice and love were both in his hear at the same time without conflict. Truth and grace were demonstrated in this unique leader. Marcy and judgment both were in David's decision making as he dealt righteously with the Lord's people and the conquered foes.
Order and obedience are needed to advance in a right way in any action we take in life. The joy and contentment a family can have depends on the character of the parents who guide the life of that social unit in a way that is can be produced in the families of their children. The same things are needed in an assembly of God's people to maintain a spirit of worship and service. Haphazard ways and carelessness, when Satan opposes God's work, leads to the demise of scriptural testimony. A nation needs leaders who know who the enemies are and how to defend its own citizen from every kind of attack.
Peace comes at a price. Our peace with God was "made through the blood of His cross." In order for Israel to have peace, the enemies have to be defeated. In order for the house of God to be built, there had to be access to the needed material. Under the leadership of David, God provided both, and the resources were gathered and kept for the right purpose, not for personal use or extravagance. Personal and financial success given to God's people, are for reasonable uses. It is up to each of us who may have been entrusted with material benefits, to determine how and where these things can be used for the right purposes. Our consciousness of the fact that God has given this into our hands should cause a desire to use it right for His glory and honor.
Our work and expertise my have made possible the accumulation of the "good things of life," but it is a wise person who takes time to consider why God allowed us to have this, how and where to use such largesse. When all that we have that God has entrusted us with is truly dedicated to Him, He will guide us as to what it is to be used for. Then it is our responsibility to take action to use these things for Him as trustworthy stewards. A willing heart and a cheerful giver are a good combination to use to produce good fruit.
Victories are one thing, and the bounty we receive that is entrusted to us is another, that can be a real burden to bear. David's leadership over the nation of Israel wasn't only in the areas of warfare and accumulated wealth. He knew he was responsible for the welfare of the people who were 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. To do right for others can make them all love you because of what you give them. It is necessary to be "just" as well. fairness and righteousness go together. Not everyone is capable of this. God the Holy Spirit, raises up those He gifts and chooses to lead God's people. It is then the responsibility of the leaders to be in close enough fellowship with God that they can make "just and right" decisions regarding the needs of the people of God.
Other people can be designated roles to fill for the work of the Lord. It is a wise leader who can delegate responsibility to others and give them room to fulfill that responsibility by using their God-given gift. Each person who is suited for a particular work needs to commit themselves to that work and not interfere with others nor criticize those who have another area of delegated responsibility. When each one does "unto the Lord" their part to fulfill their role, the whole unified group is effective.
These principles had to be taught and learned by those Jews who returned from Babylon to begin again that which had been done generations before. That was lost when poor leaders led the people of God astray after David's reign. The condition of life and soul of God's people is very dependent on the kind of leaders they have. Military leaders give a certain characteristic to those they lead as to whether they are careless or diligent. Those who were responsible for the historical records, are similar to those today who keep checks and balances so God's people do not go too far too fast, or drag their feet and are too cautious fearing they will make a mistake. The worship and witness of an assembly follows the lead of those who lead in public testimony. Accountability is also needed and those who oversee the people of God have to have good spiritual discernment. It is God who gives victories, and it is God who gives responsibilities.