Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles chapter 18. Here is a link to this chapter – 1 Chronicles 18 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway
I quote only the following verses.
“Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. He defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.
David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his rule to the Euphrates River. David took from him 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 men of the Arameans. Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the LORD helped David wherever he went. David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. Also from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils.
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 to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. King David also dedicated these to the LORD with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek.
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the LORD helped David wherever he went.
So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” 1 Chronicles 18:1-14.
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Today’s devotion will briefly address two points from today’s Scripture by presenting a few Scriptures upon which we can meditate. First, although we could certainly infer it, today’s Scripture twice expressly states: “And the LORD helped David wherever he went.” Second, immediately after one of these times and connected to it, we read: “So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people.” In other words, “one” of the things that the LORD helped David was reigning over Israel and the administration of justice and righteousness for all his people.
Although one could argue that these are two things, they are connected. There can be no administration of justice and righteousness for all the people without some one or some One reigning.
“Blessed be the LORD your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the LORD your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.” 2 Chronicles 9:8.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:4.
“There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:7.
We want help from the LORD to get peace and prosperity. But do we want the administration of justice and righteousness for all the people?
Maybe, we even want the administration of justice and righteousness for all the people. But, do we want some one or some One to reign in order to accomplish it?
Maybe, we prefer our own freedom over justice and righteousness for all the people so that we can do whatever we want.
“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”
7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Psalm 2:3-9.
Regarding the first point, the LORD helping David wherever he went, we may also want such help. Consider this following quote from the very first chapter of the Psalms.
“2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:2-3.
Regarding the second point of the LORD helping David reign over Israel and helping David administer justice and righteousness for all the people, the LORD loves justice and righteousness (along with lovingkindness) and exercises it on the earth.
“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
“7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:7-10.
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