# 1 Chronicles 18 📖: David's Victories [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-1 Chronicles Overview]] | [[1 Chronicles 17]] | [[1 Chronicles 19]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) ## David Conquers the Neighboring Nations [[#Verse 01.]] Later David defeated the Philistines and subdued them. He took Gath and its surrounding towns away from the Philistines. [[#Verse 02.]] He defeated the Moabites; the Moabites became David’s subjects and brought tribute. [[#Verse 03.]] David defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah as far as Hamath, when he went to extend his authority to the Euphrates River.  [[#Verse 04.]] David seized from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 charioteers, and 20,000 infantrymen . David cut the hamstrings of all but 100 of Hadadezer’s chariot horses.  [[#Verse 05.]] The Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, but David killed 22,000 of the Arameans.  [[#Verse 06.]] David placed garrisons in the territory of the Arameans of Damascus; the Arameans became David’s subjects and brought tribute. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned.  [[#Verse 07.]] David took the golden shields which Hadadezer’s servants had carried and brought them to Jerusalem.  [[#Verse 08.]] From Tibhath and Kun, Hadadezer’s cities, David took a great deal of bronze. (Solomon used it to make the big bronze basin called “The Sea,” the pillars, and other bronze items.) [[#Verse 09.]] When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah,  [[#Verse 10.]] he sent his son Hadoram to King David to extend his best wishes and to pronounce a blessing on him for his victory over Hadadezer, for Tou had been at war with Hadadezer. He also sent various items made of gold, silver, and bronze. [[#Verse 11.]] King David dedicated these things to the Lord, along with the silver and gold which he had carried off from all the nations, including Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. [[#Verse 12.]] Abishai son of Zeruiah killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. [[#Verse 13.]] He placed garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s subjects. The Lord protected David wherever he campaigned. ## David’s Officials [[#Verse 14.]] David reigned over all Israel; he guaranteed justice for all his people.  [[#Verse 15.]] Joab son of Zeruiah was commanding general of the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was secretary;  [[#Verse 16.]] Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;  [[#Verse 17.]] Benaiah son of Jehoiada supervised the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were the king’s leading officials. ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ###### Verse 04. ###### Verse 05. ###### Verse 06. ###### Verse 07. ###### Verse 08. ###### Verse 09. ###### Verse 10. ###### Verse 11. ###### Verse 12. ###### Verse 13. ###### Verse 14. ###### Verse 15. ###### Verse 16. ###### Verse 17. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. This chapter parallels 2 Samuel 8. 2. Chronicles says David took Gath from the Philistines (18:1), where 2 Samuel 8:1 names Metheg Ammah. 3. David hamstrung all but a hundred of the captured chariot horses (18:4), possibly in keeping with the warning that Israel's kings must not build up horses (Deuteronomy 17:16). 4. Hadadezer means "Hadad is help." Hadad was a storm god worshiped by the Arameans. 5. David brought gold shields from Hadadezer's officers to Jerusalem (18:7). 6. Bronze taken from Tebah and Kun was later used by Solomon for the bronze sea, the pillars, and other temple items (18:8). 7. Tou king of Hamath sent his son Hadoram with gifts of gold, silver, and bronze (18:9-10). 8. Abishai killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt (18:12). The title of Psalm 60 refers to this campaign. 9. Chronicles calls David's sons chief officials at the king's side (18:17). 10. The Kerethites and Pelethites (18:17) were the king's bodyguards, probably of Cretan and Philistine origin. ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is the righteous King who rules with justice for all His people. David brought justice to all his people (18:14), but Jesus will reign on David's throne with justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9:7). ## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went (18:6, 13). How do you give God the credit when things go well? 2. David dedicated the plunder from his victories to the Lord (18:11). What would it look like to dedicate your gains to God? 3. David brought justice to all his people (18:14). How can leaders avoid playing favorites? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 6: The Lord protects David wherever he goes. - 📖 verse 11: David dedicates the silver and gold he captured to the Lord. - 📖 verse 14: David reigns over all Israel and brings justice to all his people. ## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference - 🔗 [[2 Samuel 08|2 Samuel 8]] - The parallel account of David's victories. - 🔗 [[Psalm 60|Psalm 60]] - A psalm connected with the war against Edom. - 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 17#Verse 16.|Deuteronomy 17:16]] - Israel's king must not multiply horses. - 🔗 [[Jeremiah 23#Verse 05.|Jeremiah 23:5]] - A righteous Branch who will do what is just and right. - 🔗 [[Isaiah 09#Verse 07.|Isaiah 9:7]] - Justice and righteousness on David's throne forever. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection 📝 SOAP: [[1 Chronicles 18 - SOAP|A Definition of a Godly Leader]] ## 📂 Internal Notes