1 Chronicles 18 delves into the numerous victories that David achieved thanks to help from the Lord.
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Early Battles of David
David scored a number of successful victories against the Philistines. In doing so, he was able to gain control of their territory. He also led battles against the Moabites and made them subjects to the people of Israel.
Hadadezer was king of Zobah and he suffered an utterly humiliating defeat at the hands of David and his warriors. Over 20,000 of Zobah’s troops were captured and this event greatly crippled the kingdom. The Arameans quickly came to the aid of Zobah, but David was able to muster his troops to smite 22,000 of the Aramean soldiers.
David was able to take the spoils of war after these events. He brought gold shields and a massive amount of bronze back to the city of Jerusalem. All who could see this bounty was captivated by the success of David as a leader and a military commander.
Others Fear David
The minute he learned of the great successes David attained on the battlefield, Tou, the king of Hamath, sent his son to meet with David. The son quickly offered congratulations and made it clear they would not be challenging him. David was then presented with a tremendous amount of gold, silver, and other awards.
David dedicated his gifts and his spoils to the Lord. This was his custom for any bounty that was achieved through victory in battle or through alliances with others. Soon, the leaders of other nations would fight and win on David’s behalf.
David Leads His People
To his own people, David was a just leader. He cared for them and promoted law and order. Those who served under David were to follow his edicts and be sure the law of the Lord is to be followed.
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1 Chronicles 18 (King James Version)
1 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 Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish 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 reserved of them an hundred chariots.
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; 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 Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
10 He sent 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 war 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 these 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 slew 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 all his people.
15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.
16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.