God keeps his promises to David

1 Chronicles 18-20

God said

“…I will make a name for you like that of the greatest in the land. 9 I will establish a place for My people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they formerly have 10 ever since the day I ordered judges to be over My people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies.”[1]

“ I will establish a place” (ch18)

  • Borders are secured as David defeats enemies including
    • Philistines (v1)
    • Moabites (v2)
    • Syrians (v5-6)
    • Edom (v12-13)
  • Jerusalem is made prosperous (v7-9)
  • Alliances lead to greater prosperity through tribute (v9-11)
  • Government established (v14-17)

“Evil doers will not continue to oppress” (ch19)

  • David seeks to show respect and favour to the Ammonites and pay respects on the death of their king, Nahish (v1-2)
  • The new king, Hanun is suspicious of David’s motives (v3)
  • David’s men are abused and shamed (v4-5)
  • The Ammonites attempt to buy alliances against David (v6-7)
  • David sends Joab with the army. Ammonites and Arameans are defeated (v8-16)
  • Enemy reinforcements (v16)
  • David joins the battle, the enemy defeated (v17-18)
  • The enemy alliance between Ammon and the Arameans is completely broken (v19)

“I will also subdue all your enemies ” (ch20)

  • Defeat of  Ammomites at Rabbah. David is crowned their king (v1-3)
  • Defeat of Philistine Giants (v4-8)

The result ….

“I will make your name great”

David is the hero king who defeats fearsome enemies, ending occupation, expanding his borders and removing shame. 

Leithart suggests a chiasm

               A:  War with Philistia and Moab (18:1)

                              B: War with Ammom, Aram and Edom (18:2-13)

                                                            C: David reigns with justice and righteousness (18:14-17)

                                             B’: War with Ammon and Aram (19:1-20:3)

                              A’: War with Philistia (20:4-8) [2]   

“There are good reasons to conclude that B and B’ describe the same war. Both involve both Aram and Ammon, in both, David captures 7,000 charioteers (18:4; 19:18), the number of the infantry is confusing but the 20,000 +22,000 0f 18:4-5 is roughly equal to the 40,000 of 19:18.” [3]

Though Selman doesn’t think that exactly the same battles are described[4]

Covenant Fulfilment

  • Notice that all of this can be seen as fulfilling the promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. Who is the seed of Abraham? The focus narrows in to David’s line

In Christ

  • Jesus and shame
  • Jesus’ heavy crown 
  • Jesus exalted – his enemies under his footstool
  • The name above every name

[1] 1 Chronicles 17:8-10.

[2] Leithart, 1 Chronicles, 64.

[3] Leithart, 1 Chronicles, 64.

[4] Selman, 1 Chronicles, 199-200.