Day 74 Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 18-22

1 Chronicles 18: David's Conquests (I)

[Overview]

This chapter is the first half of David's military ministry that continues up to Chapter 20, and records his early victories. This chapter, which shows the success of King David's amazing conquests, is composed of the first half (verses 1-13) that records King David conquering and ruling all his enemies inside and outside Israel, and the second half (verses 14-17) that mentions the solid administrative system that King David organized. After settling the internal chaos in the kingdom and subduing the Philistines, David now embarks on a full-scale conquest, empowered by God's eternal promise to the royal family of David. The work progressed rapidly, and in just a few years, he subdued Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Aram, Edom, etc., making all of eastern and western Palestine, as well as southern and central Syria, David's territory. This is the fulfillment of the words, "Wherever David went, the Lord gave him victory" (verse 13). [Kang Hae]

This chapter shows how David, who ruled the kingdom of Israel with God-centeredness, prospered. David actively carried out conquests and emerged as a powerful figure in the ancient Middle East. The reason David’s kingdom was firmly established and strong was because God was with David.

1 Chronicles 19: David Conquers Ammon and Aram

[Summary]

Following the battlefield that covered David’s first war of conquest against the Canaanites, this chapter records his second war of conquest against the Ammonites. However, the beginning of this second war of conquest was a completely unexpected one. When King Nahash of Ammon died, David sent a condolence envoy. However, Hanun, the son of Nahash, misunderstood David’s pure intentions and insulted the messengers and sent them back (verses 1-5). After that, Hanun, fearing David’s retaliation, made Aram his ally and started a war first, so David dispatched a suppression force led by Joab (verses 6-9). At this time, Aram, an ally of Ammon, fled upon seeing the might of Israel (verses 10-15), and the main Aram camp, seeing this, fought against Israel again, but was defeated by David and Joab, who personally led the army (verses 16-19). 

[Explanation] 

The part from verse 1 to verse 3 of this chapter is the same as 2 Samuel 10-12, but the crime David committed with Bathsheba is excluded from this chapter. This is because the Chronicler tried to project the history of Israel as a history of the fulfillment of God’s covenant. The main content of this chapter is the scene where Ammon and Aram challenge David and are miserably defeated. 

1 Chronicles 20: David's Conquest (II)

[Overview]

This chapter is the last part of the context that records the progress of David's military ministry. This chapter records David's complete defeat of Ammon and his great victory in an expedition against the Philistines. After defeating the Ammonite army, David completely annihilated the Ammonites, who were the source of the rebellion (verses 1-3). After that, he waged three wars against the Philistines (verses 4-8). The content of this chapter is excerpted from 2 Samuel 11-21, and supplements the description of King David's continued victories, emphasizing God who was with David and God who gave victory to Israel. The fact that David completely conquered the Ammonites is especially emphasized to show God's grace in a concise manner. However, the background of this chapter includes David's crime through Bathsheba. Although David committed a crime, he was able to completely annihilate the Ammonites because he truly repented. [Kang Hae]

This chapter lists the destruction of Rabbah, the center of the Ammonite kingdom, David taking their king's crown, and the suffering of the people there. It also records the incident where David's army killed three Philistine giant soldiers in three battles with the Philistines.

1 Chronicles 21: Incorrect Census

[Summary]

Up to this point, we have discussed the genealogy of the Davidic dynasty, its political and religious ministries, and its military ministries. Now, from this chapter on, we will record David's full-fledged reign. Ironically, however, the record of David begins with a negative note. David completely seized control of the ruling power of the united Israel and laid a firm foundation for the Davidic dynasty. However, David, who had reached a firm position by the grace of God, became arrogant and sinned against God. The scene where David, tempted by Satan and becoming arrogant, orders a census (verses 1-6), God's wrath (verses 7-17), and the scene where he builds an altar to God on the threshing floor of Ornan according to God's instructions to stop the punishment and continues to offer sacrifices there (verses 18-30) are recorded. 

[Explanation]

This chapter records the census incident, which is considered David's second major crime along with the adultery incident with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David, who had become complacent due to the victory of the wars of conquest up until then, conducted a census throughout Israel with impure motives. God punished David for this, and David, who realized his mistake belatedly, offered a sacrifice to God asking for forgiveness. 

1 Chronicles 22: Preparation for the Construction of the Temple

[Summary]

The previous chapter records King David's rebellious act of censuring the people due to his arrogance. This chapter records David's humble attitude as he prepared for the temple of God. In this way, the atmosphere of the battlefield and the main chapter are contrasting. Although David committed a crime by conducting a census, he sincerely repented of his sin and did his best to serve God. Therefore, this chapter records the concrete preparations for the construction of the temple after the site for the temple was confirmed. First, David gathered building materials and workers (verses 1-5). Then, he delegated the great mission to his son Solomon (verses 6-16) and asked the various princes to diligently participate in this holy mission (verses 17-19). 

[Explanation] 

In the battlefield, the chosen people suffered from terrible disasters due to David’s sin. God knew of David’s thorough repentance during this time and responded to David’s sacrifice by sending fire on the altar of burnt offering. He then told him where to build the temple. When David’s love for God was confirmed, he began to be filled with a desire to build God’s house. Thus, he prepared all the materials so that his son Solomon could fully complete the construction of the temple.