1 Chronicles Chapter 18
The Security of David’s Kingdom
A. David conquers neighboring nations
1. David subdues the Philistines
(1 Chronicles 18:1)
“After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines.”
David’s strength and military success continued as he confronted Israel’s ancient enemies, the Philistines. For generations the Philistines had harassed Israel, defeated Israel, and even subjected portions of the land. Under David’s leadership, this cycle was reversed. Instead of Israel losing ground, David attacked and subdued the Philistines decisively. His victory displayed remarkable confidence in the Lord. Israel’s past failures did not intimidate him, nor did centuries of Philistine dominance cause hesitation. As one commentator noted, David treated the once-feared Philistine power with complete contempt, confident in God’s strength rather than Israel’s past record.
David captured Gath and its surrounding towns, demonstrating a complete shift in dominance. When David first became king, the Philistines were the ones expanding at Israel’s expense. Now, by God’s power, David expanded Israel’s territory at their expense. Historical evidence of this conquest appears in the group of six hundred Gittites—men from Gath—who later joined David’s ranks, indicating a significant Philistine population under David’s control and possibly loyal to him.
2. The Moabites put under tribute
(1 Chronicles 18:2)
“Then he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.”
David next defeated Moab, placing the nation under his authority and requiring them to bring tribute. This victory raises historical curiosity because David’s great-grandmother, Ruth, was a Moabite. Moreover, David had once entrusted his mother and father to the care of the king of Moab while fleeing from Saul. Something must have occurred to turn Moab from a friendly refuge into a hostile nation. Many scholars believe the Moabites may have harmed or betrayed David’s parents, leading to David’s severe response.
Rather than requiring Moab’s destruction, the Lord allowed them to remain as a tributary state. This followed God’s general pattern for Israel’s foreign relations. The Lord did not command Israel to annihilate every surrounding nation, but rather to be so strong, stable, and blessed that neighboring nations would live in subjection to Israel, acknowledging its dominance through tribute. In David’s reign, this ideal was realized: Israel became the head, not the tail, among the nations around it.
3. David conquers a Syrian alliance
(1 Chronicles 18:3-8)
“And David defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his power by the River Euphrates. David took from him one thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. Also from Tibhath and from Chun, cities of Hadadezer, David brought a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.”
David’s military success continued as he faced the powerful northern coalition led by Hadadezer, king of Zobah. Hadadezer was expanding his own influence toward the Euphrates River when he collided with David’s rising power. David’s victories extended Israel’s northern border to the Euphrates itself, fulfilling the promise God had made to Abraham that his descendants would possess the land “from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” The Syrians of Zobah and Damascus united to resist Israel, but they proved helpless before David’s forces. The scale of victory was immense: thousands of chariots, horsemen, and infantry were captured or destroyed, demonstrating David’s overwhelming dominance.
David hamstrung the chariot horses, a necessary act in ancient warfare. He could not care for so many animals while on campaign, nor could he return them to the enemy. Yet he spared enough for only one hundred chariots. This restraint revealed David’s obedience to God’s command in Deuteronomy not to rely on horses for military confidence. Instead of trusting military machinery, David trusted the Lord. His victories were not the result of chariots or cavalry but of God’s preserving power, as the text emphasizes repeatedly.
As David defeated Hadadezer’s coalition, he captured gold shields that symbolized the enemy’s honor and strength. These trophies were brought to Jerusalem, publicly displaying God’s triumph through His anointed king. From Tibhath and Chun, David also brought vast quantities of bronze. These materials would later be used by Solomon to construct the massive bronze Sea, the pillars Jachin and Boaz, and numerous bronze vessels for temple worship. This detail explains why Chronicles highlights these particular military campaigns: they provided the wealth and resources necessary for building the temple. David could not build the structure himself, but he gathered the wealth, secured the peace, and prepared the material. Even when God closes the door for His servant to perform a work directly, He often allows him to prepare the way for another. David’s devotion shined brightest in these preparations. He embraced the supporting work because he cared more for God’s glory than his own recognition.
4. The glory and security of David’s kingdom
(1 Chronicles 18:9-13)
“Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou), and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze. King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had brought from all these nations, from Edom, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.”
The surrounding nations recognized David’s rise and responded accordingly. Tou, king of Hamath, who had long been at odds with Hadadezer, sent his son Hadoram to congratulate David. His greeting was not merely diplomatic courtesy. He brought valuable gifts of gold, silver, and bronze, honoring David and seeking peaceful relations with the dominant king of Israel. Not every foreign nation was hostile to God or His people. David respected these peaceful gestures rather than treating all Gentiles as enemies, demonstrating discernment and wisdom.
David immediately dedicated all the received treasures to the Lord. He understood that victory and wealth came from God, and he refused to hoard these riches for personal luxury. Instead, he stored them for the construction of the temple. David treated success with the same humility as adversity. Whether in defeat or triumph, he entrusted everything to God.
The text lists Edom, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek among the nations subdued by David. This list shows the comprehensiveness of David’s victories. In every direction—east, west, north, and south—Israel’s enemies were subdued. Abishai, one of David’s mighty men, defeated eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, extending Israel’s authority into Edom as well. David placed garrisons throughout Edom, making the nation subject to Israel. These victories secured Israel politically, militarily, and economically.
The repeated refrain, “And the LORD preserved David wherever he went,” is the true summary of the chapter. David’s military brilliance alone did not produce security. It was the Lord who preserved him, guided him, strengthened him, and granted him victory over every foe. David’s conquests were ultimately the result of God’s covenant faithfulness, preparing the nation for the peaceful reign of Solomon and the building of the temple.
B. David’s administration
1. A general description of David’s government
(1 Chronicles 18:14)
“So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people.”
This verse provides a concise but profound summary of David’s reign. After describing his many victories and conquests, Scripture now turns inward to reveal the character of David’s domestic rule. David reigned over all Israel, exercising authority that was stable, godly, and just. His reign is often regarded as Israel’s golden era because David governed not only with military strength but with righteousness and equity. This was the kind of reign God desired Saul to have, but Saul resisted the Spirit of the Lord and forfeited that privilege. David, by contrast, submitted himself to God, and because he allowed the Lord to rule his heart, he became the kind of king through whom God could subdue the nations.
The phrase “administered judgment and justice” summarizes the most essential function of a government. David did not use power for self-glorification or personal gain. He used his authority to uphold righteousness in the kingdom. This reflects the biblical ideal of civil government as described in Romans 13: rulers are God’s ministers to restrain evil and to promote justice. Under David’s leadership the people of Israel experienced fairness, stability, and order, which distinguished him as the greatest king in Israel’s history.
2. Key people in David’s government
(1 Chronicles 18:15-17)
“Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests, Shavsha was the scribe, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were chief ministers at the king’s side.”
David’s strength as a ruler included his ability to surround himself with capable, faithful, and organized leaders. The text highlights several key officials. Joab served as commander of the army. Jehoshaphat served as the recorder, a critical position responsible for chronicling decisions, preserving history, and maintaining administrative order. Zadok and Abimelech served as priests, each ministering at separate worship centers during a transitional period in Israel’s religious life. Shavsha served as the scribe, handling legal documents and royal correspondence. Benaiah, one of David’s mighty men, oversaw the Cherethites and Pelethites, elite foreign troops who served as the king’s bodyguard. Finally, David’s sons functioned as chief ministers who served alongside him in high-ranking administrative roles.
This list underscores an important truth: no great leader rules alone. Even the most gifted individual requires a competent, unified team. David’s government demonstrated structure, accountability, and organization—elements strikingly absent from Saul’s administration. David’s strength was not merely personal genius but his ability to assemble and delegate to loyal and skilled men. Organization and order reflect God’s character and are essential components of successful leadership. Nothing lasting in the kingdom of God is accomplished through chaos. God works with perfect order behind the scenes, even when His people do not perceive it.
The mention of Zadok and Abimelech as priests reflects the unique situation of Israel at that time. The tabernacle of Moses, along with the altar of burnt offering, was still located at Gibeon. But David had erected a separate tent in Jerusalem to house the ark of the covenant. Until the temple was built, Israel had two functioning religious centers. Zadok ministered at Gibeon, and Abiathar (here called Abimelech) ministered before the ark in Jerusalem.
The Cherethites and Pelethites were foreign mercenaries from Crete. Employing foreign troops provided David with a loyal, non-tribal guard. Because they had no tribal allegiance within Israel, they could serve as neutral protectors committed solely to the king. This prevented internal tribal rivalries from threatening David’s safety and ensured he had a trustworthy elite guard.
