David's Deeds, Outside and Inside His Nation - 1 Chronicles 18-23 - Bible Notes

David's Conquests - 1 Chronicles 18

1. Text summary

a. David defeats Edom and Syria.

b. His chief administrators listed.

2. Jesus

a. Jesus will subdue all nations and people opposed to Him, in the end.

b. He has officers enlisted, serving Him.

3. Application

a. We are not called to physically subdue Christ's enemies now, but we do want to see them "cow tow" to His line.

b. We each have various skills to put to use in Christ's service.

Ammonites and Syrians - 1 Chronicles 19

1. Text summary

David tries to be nice to the Ammonites, but they spurn his ambassadors.

2. Jesus

Jesus' final battle will be as decisive against His enemies.

3. Application

a. Trying to be nice to pagans opposed to you, often backfires.

b. Christ will vindicate you, in the end, even if you muck it up in the short term.

c. We need to have each others' backs, as Christians, in our spiritual battle.  Not neglect or turn on each other.

David's Victory over Goliaths - 1 Chronicles 20

1. Text summary

David defeats Ammonites and Goliath's kin.

2. Jesus

Jesus receives glory and crowns from those who fight for Him.

As Jesus defeated the greatest giant - Satan - so we fight and defeat lesser giants.

3. Application

a. Scripture speaks of strongholds and giants in our lives - besetting sins or history we need to work against and defeat to follow the Lord.

b. If we remember David sinned with Bathsheba when he stayed home from this war, another lesson emerges:  don't make others fight your battles.

David's Sin, Penance, and Future Temple - 1 Chronicles 21

1. Text summary

David wants to count the military size of his country.  Joab protests.  God strikes Israel for doing it, and gives David a choice of punishment.  70,000 die of plague.  It stops (the angel) visibly on the future site of the temple.  David buys it with his own money (penance?), intercedes for Israel, and sacrifices there.

2. Jesus

Jesus interceded for His people at great cost to Himself, too.

He was the temple, where God meets with, and atones for, His peoples' sins.

3. Application

a. Don't review your bank account with pride.

b. Be thankful God doesn't make you choose your consequence for your sins.

David's Temple Preparations - 1 Chronicles 22

1. Text summary

David prepares to build the temple, and charges Solomon to do it, with God's guidance.

2. Jesus

Jesus gives His apostles the responsibility of building His church.

3. Application

a. We should build diligently on the work of our forefathers, out of respect for them.

David Organizes the Levites - 1 Chronicles 23

1. Text summary

David organizes the Levites to serve in the temple.

2. Jesus

Jesus orders His church to serve faithfully.

3. Application

a. We should each know our skills and service opportunities among God's people.