1 Chronicles 18:13: “He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.”

September 6th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

“The Lord preserved David.” It is interesting that this clear statement of God’s protection and promotion is made twice in this chapter (verse 6 and verse 13). Why repeat it? When Hebrew writers desired to strongly emphasize something, they often repeat the same thought in a slightly different way. Was there a danger David might be tempted to think he was gaining all these victories because of his own talents or abilities? Yes, of course.

We are all prone to think more of ourselves than we should. What generally happens when we begin to have a tremendous string of victories? We begin to think something like, “Goodness, isn’t everyone lucky to have me around.” If you find that God is starting to use you in His kingdom, pray (and pray hard) that God keeps you from slipping into this old self-confidence routine.

Missionary Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced him in eloquent and glowing terms, telling the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China. He then presented Taylor as “our illustrious guest.” Taylor stood quietly for a moment and then opened his message by saying, “Dear friends, I am but the little servant of an illustrious Master.” Lasting protection and promotion only comes from God.

“LORD, we remember that You rescued us from sin and slavery, and we remain eternally grateful. Please use us this day to lead someone to You.”

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1 Chronicles 18 KJV

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 Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, andbrought 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 thesenations; 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.