📖 1 Chronicles — Chapter 18 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Chronicles 18:1 Now Rafter 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 18:2 And Rhe smote Moab; and the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.
1 Chronicles 18:3 And David smote RTHadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
1 Chronicles 18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and RTseven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
1 Chronicles 18:5 And when the Syrians of TDamascus came Rto help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
1 Chronicles 18:6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. RThus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
1 Chronicles 18:7 And David took the Rshields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 18:8 Likewise from RTTibhath, 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.
1 Chronicles 18:9 Now when RTTou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
1 Chronicles 18:10 He sent RTHadoram his son to king David, Tto enquire of his welfare, and Tto congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer Thad war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
1 Chronicles 18:11 Them also king David Rdedicated 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 18:12 RMoreover TAbishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.
1 Chronicles 18:13 And he put Rgarrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David’s servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
1 Chronicles 18:14 So RDavid reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.
1 Chronicles 18:15 And RJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, Trecorder.
1 Chronicles 18:16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and RTAbimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and TShavsha was scribe;
1 Chronicles 18:17 And RBenaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief Tabout the king.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 18:1–6 — David's victories
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The chapter summarizes David's victories over neighboring powers and the establishment of garrisons. The narrator credits the LORD with preserving him. These events describe the expansion of Israel's ancient kingdom; they are not instructions for readers to conquer others. The emphasis is on God's help within this particular history.
Key Truth: Read military events within their historical setting.
Check What You Remember
1. Which Philistine city did David take? (1 Chronicles 18:1)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:1 (KJV).
2. Who was king of Zobah? (1 Chronicles 18:3)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:3 (KJV).
3. Who preserved David wherever he went? (1 Chronicles 18:6)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 18:7–13 — Resources dedicated to the LORD
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Captured materials and gifts from Hamath are brought to Jerusalem and dedicated to the LORD. Brass will later be used for Solomon's temple furnishings. The account links the kingdom's resources with the preparation for worship. David directs possessions beyond personal display toward the purpose of God's house.
Key Truth: Use entrusted resources for worthy purposes.
Check What You Remember
1. What were Hadarezer's servants' shields made of? (1 Chronicles 18:7)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:7 (KJV).
2. Who sent his son to congratulate David? (1 Chronicles 18:9)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:9 (KJV).
3. To whom did David dedicate the gifts? (1 Chronicles 18:11)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 18:14–17 — Justice and administration
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David rules all Israel and is described as executing judgment and justice. The chapter names commanders, priests, a recorder, and a scribe. Victory alone is not the whole task of kingship: the kingdom also needs fair government and responsible administration. Many roles contribute to the daily work of leadership.
Key Truth: Leadership must include justice and responsible service.
Check What You Remember
1. What did David execute among his people? (1 Chronicles 18:14)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:14 (KJV).
2. Who was over the host? (1 Chronicles 18:15)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:15 (KJV).
3. Who was the scribe? (1 Chronicles 18:16)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 18:16 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 72:2 — The psalm describes the king's responsibility to judge the people rightly.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you connect responsibility or success with justice toward others?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do the outcomes for Moab and Syria resemble one another?
2. How does captured brass contribute to later worship equipment?
3. Why does Tou congratulate David for defeating Hadarezer?
4. How does David treat gifts and spoil from the nations?
5. How does the chapter connect victory with domestic rule?
Notes
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