I wanted to include a bible map today,I found this at hhttp://www.bible.ca/maps/ and this map shows the kingdoms of David and Solomon.
OK on to chapter 18
David defeats the Philistines, the Moabites and Gath and its surrounding areas. Verse 9 King Tou of Hamath sent his son Hadoram gifts to congratulate the battles David had won. This was a friendly gesture of neighboring county. Hamath is located near the top of the map. David dedicated these gifts to the Lord, along with winnings from his battles. Verse 13 - the Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
Verse 14 - David reigns over all of Israel, doing what was right and just for all his people. This reminds me that I should do what is right and just to everyone who crosses my path both in my personal and professional life. Verses 15-18 lists leaders David has appointed. Joab is commander of the army, and we will see his name later on.
Chapter 19
This chapter is the battle of the Ammonites - which is located in the middle of the map. There is a psychology lesson in this chapter about human nature.. David learns Nahash the King of Ammonites dies, so David decides to send his condolences to Nahash's son, Hanan the new King because King Nahash had been kind to David.
David sends men to the Ammonite territory to offer his condolences, and when the Ammonites see David's men coming they think why are they here? Are they here to offer condolences or are they spies to come and overthrow our country? They relay this to Hanan and Hanan thinks the worst. Lets stop here for a second. How many times do we think the worst before we get all the facts? And then we allow our worst fears to take control. So Hanan seizes David's men, shaves off their beards cuts their garments so their buttocks show and send them away. I did a little research - and found out was humiliating to shave off a man's beard, and it was also humiliating to be in public half naked. David allows his men to stay at Jericho until their beards grew back in. And hopefully they had a second set of clothes!
Verse 6 King Hanan finds out that David is angry - the bible says they had become a stench in David's nostrils - can you smell that just reading about it? King Hanan assembles an army. Instead of apologizing for what he did to David's men he instead makes matters worse by preparing for war.
Verse 8 David sends Joab and his army to battle. They find themselves surrounded by Ammonites and Arameans (hired by the Ammonites), in front of them and behind them. Joab verse 13 tells his troops to Be strong and couragious, fight for our own people, and the Lord will do what is good in his sight. Joab fought the Arameans, the Arameans lost and would not help the Ammonites anymore.
Chapter 20
In the spring - David sent Joab to do battle, and they captured all the towns in Annon one by one. Usually the kings go to battle, but David sent Joab in his place, found in 2 Samuel 11,12. David sinned with Bethsheba during this time. The theory why David's personal life isn't included in Chronicles is because the theme is about God's presence in the nation of Israel.
David's army also did battle with the Philistines. This chapter talks a little about huge men, one had 6 digits on his hands and feet totaling 24 digits. David's army defeated the Philistines.
Father God - I am not a leader of a great nation but I learned today that you will bless us when you put us first in your life. When we err or sin, we should make matters right to both man and you Lord. If we don't do this we dig ourselves into a deeper hole. We ask this day that we listen to the stillness of your voice guiding us in our walk, and filter out all the "what ifs" that scream for our attention in our minds. We also ask that we be brave and couragious, fight our own battles, and fight our battles in the name of the Lord. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
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