1 Chronicles 18

“David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s officers and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer’s cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles.  When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah, he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Tou and Hadadezer had fought many wars. Hadoram brought all kinds of gold, silver, and bronze items. King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all the nations—from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the Amalekites. 1 Chronicles 18:7-ll (HCSB)

Whether or not you like the New York Yankees baseball team, you must admit their winning tradition is impressive. Sure, you can argue that they spend too much money on players or that they are overhyped, but the fact is they almost always have a winning season, even if they don’t go to the World Series. People expect the Yankees to win, and, quite frankly, we are surprised when they lose. Winning can be that way; winning can become so routine that it becomes boring. That is kind of how we felt about Israel during the early part of David’s reign. They just win so much that we lose interest in the narrative.  

We must resist the urge to skip past the next two chapters because God is trying to communicate something to us who seek His Word: 1) Battles will still come to the faithful. His “shalom” (peace) is not the absence of conflict. His peace passes understanding precisely because we have hope in the midst of conflict. 2) Trials that we face will ultimately be won by His power. Notice how David is fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses sue you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV)

The nations who curse David and war against Israel are defeated and David takes their spoils. Those who fear David and seek to make peace with Israel willingly offer up their wealth as gifts. As a result, they fall under David’s protection. And what did David do with those spoils? He set them aside to honor the Lord.

“Now David said, ‘Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.’ So David made abundant preparations before his death.” 1 Chronicles 22:5 (NKJV)