1 Chronicles 18
Lutheran reading notes
In 1 Chronicles chapter 18, the account continues the story of genealogies and the reign of David with temple focus. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
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.
1 Chronicles 18:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, {and} brought gifts.
1 Chronicles 18:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. {Hadarezer: or, Hadadezer}
1 Chronicles 18:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {seven...: or, seven hundred}
1 Chronicles 18:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. {Damascus: Heb. Darmesek}
1 Chronicles 18:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Then David put {garrisons} in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, {and} brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
1 Chronicles 18:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {Tibhath...: called in the book of Samuel Betah, and Berothai}
1 Chronicles 18:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah; {Tou: also called, Toi}
1 Chronicles 18:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {Hadoram: also called, Joram} {to enquire...: or, to salute} {to congratulate: Heb. to bless} {had war: Heb. was the man of wars}
1 Chronicles 18:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all {these} nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
1 Chronicles 18:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. {Abishai: Heb. Abshai}
1 Chronicles 18:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
1 Chronicles 18:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And Joab the son of Zeruiah {was} over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder. {recorder: or, remembrancer}
1 Chronicles 18:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, {were} the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; {Abimelech: also called, Ahimelech} {Shavsha: also called Seraiah or Shisha}
1 Chronicles 18:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada {was} over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David {were} chief about the king. {about...: Heb. at the hand of the king}
1 Chronicles 18:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.