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1
Chronicles Chapter Eighteen
1 Chronicles 18
Chapter Contents
David's victories.
This chapter is the same as 2 Samuel 8. Our good fight of faith, under the
Captain of our salvation, will end in everlasting triumph and peace. The
happiness of Israel, through David's victories, and just government, faintly shadowed
forth the happiness of the redeemed in the realms above.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 1 Chronicles》
1 Chronicles 18
David conquers the Philistines, the Moabites,
the king of Zobah and the Syrians, verse 1-8. Makes the king of Hamath and the
Edomites pay tribute, verse 9-13. His court and kingdom flourish, verse 14-17.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 1 Chronicles》
18 Chapter 18
Verses 1-12
Now after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines.
Spoils from Edom
If we have conquered an enemy we must hold the conquest as an
illustration of the power of God rather than of the skill of our own might or
hand. The idols which we bring
away from the lands of darkness are to be set up in God’s house, and are to
mark points in the progress of Christian civilisation. They are to be regarded
as indications of a universal conquest which Christ has yet to win over the
nations of the whole world. If we have brought back spoils--such as art, music,
or any form of pleasure by which the popular mind can be touched and moved in
an upward direction--we are to remember that in all these spoils we are to see the Divine
power, and not proofs of our own military genius. (J. Parker, D. D.)
Verse 14
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed Judgment and
Justice.
I. The victories of peace are nobler and more enduring than those
of war. We are
very familiar with David the warrior. His early triumph over Goliath put his
name into the mouth and songs of Israel. It had been a little thing if he had
only vanquished the enemies of Israel. When this was done his truest, noblest
works began. He encouraged the people to careful cultivation of their fields by
carefully cultivating his own. He would have nothing lost. The waste land must
be reclaimed. His stewards must give exact account of their stewardship.
Commerce, with its increase of comforts, is quickened. Architecture is
improved; huts give way to houses. Arrangements are made for due and prompt
administration of justice in all parts of the country. The health and education
of the people the king remembers and provides for. These were right royal
undertakings, and “became” David “better than his crown.” Wars fill a large and
loud place in history. The works of peace are silent, unobtrusive. Picturesque
pens may describe a battle in which thousands perish, but how little can they
describe the battle waged by sanitary officers and medical men against disease
and its causes by which thousands, ten thousands, are saved!
II. The blessing of
a wise administrator to a nation. David was a true ruler of men. Not only by
possession of a personal charm which attached trusty friends to him, but also
by devising those measures which were for the wider well-being of the people.
He had eminently the faculty of government like many other great men of his
nation--Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Hezekiah, Daniel. When rulers are wise, and,
like David, know “what they ought to do,” this, too, is one of God’s gifts to
men.
III. The importance
of psalmody in Divine worship. Psalmody, as an institution, owes its origin to
David. In chap. 25. we can see with what care it was instituted.
IV. The beauty of
friendship is seen in david’s treatment of mephibosheth.
──《The Biblical Illustrator》