1 Chronicles 18:11

1Ch 18:11. Them also King David dedicated to the Lord — Not only the spoils of his enemies, but the presents of his friends, he devoted to God, and laid up toward the building and enriching of the temple. Thus, we must honour God with that wherewith he blesseth us. And, indeed, that is most truly and most comfortably our own, which we have consecrated to the Lord, and which we use for his glory. Let our merchandise and our hire be holiness to the Lord.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Because the Edomites and the Syrians joined their power together, it is said, 2 Sam. 8:12, that the Aramites were spoiled.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(11) He brought.—Samuel, “dedicated.” Chronicles avoids the tautology.

These nations.—The nations—scil., “whom he had reduced” (Samuel).

From Edom.—Samuel, “from Aram,” but LXX., Syriac, and Arabic, “Edom;” (Targum and Vulg., “Aram”). All the versions read “Edom” here, which appears correct. Edom and Moab were conterminous, and the reference includes all the nations whom David conquered and despoiled.

And from Amalek may refer to 1Sa_30:16, seq., but more probably to an unrecorded campaign. Samuel adds, “and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah,” which Chronicles omits, as implied already in 1Ch_18:7-8.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

11. from Amalek] So 2Sa_8:12, but we have no record of any war of David with Amalek except the account in 1 Samuel 30.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Edom, or rather Syria, (Aram) which might easily be exchanged for Edom, 2 Kings viii. David could not satisfy his devotion by building a temple; but he made preparations. Solomon left part of the treasures unconsumed, 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. 26. (Calmet) --- These effects, being destined for sacred uses, are said to be consecrated to the Lord. (Worthington)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

From Edom. This is probably the correct reading, and not, as in the parallel, "from Aram," unless, as some think, both places were named in the original authority. From the children of Ammon. Perhaps the events narrated in our succeeding chapter are here referred to by the compiler. From Amalek. (see 1Sa_30:1-20, 1Sa_30:26-31)

Dedication of gifts.

David was a generous giver. In his many campaigns he won great spoils from his enemies. We need not approve his conduct in all these military expeditions. But we cannot do other than commend the princely generosity which he displayed in the disposal of his booty. Though not himself permitted to build the temple, he was allowed to accumulate treasures to be used by his son and successor in the construction of the sacred edifice. He freely parted with his wealth for this purpose, and for the maintenance of Divine worship in suitable dignity and splendour. His example in thus dedicating gifts to the service of Jehovah is one which all Christians should follow; the more so, as their motives to consecration are more powerful, and their opportunities of service are more numerous.

I ALL GIFTS ARE OF AND FROM THE LORD. "The earth is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof;" "The silver and the gold are the Lord"s;" his are "the cattle upon a thousand hills." We can, accordingly, only offer unto the Lord of what is really his. "Of his own" we give unto him.

II ALL THAT CHRISTIANS CAN OFFER TO GOD IS THE PURCHASE OF CHRIST"S BLOOD. When our Saviour redeemed us, he ransomed all our powers and possessions. "Body, soul, and spirit" are his of right. It is the Christian"s privilege to feel that nothing which he has is his own; all is his Lord"s.

III The gifts of Christians are THE EXPRESSION OF THEIR GRATEFUL LOVE. They do not give to the cause of their Redeemer merely because they feel that they ought to do so, but because they delight in any opportunity of showing their affection. The most costly, lavish gifts are poor and worthless, if not the expression of the heart"s love and loyalty. When the heart is offered, the meanest gifts are sufficient to represent its love. The two mites" of the widow were accepted and approved; for they cost her much to give, and yet she gave them with a willing mind.

IV DEDICATED GIFTS MAY SERVE TO WORK OUT THE SPIRITUAL PLAN"S OF GOD. Some professing Christians disparage expenditure for religious objects, on the ground that God cannot care for such trifles as our material wealth. But they forget that, in the order of Divine providence, God"s kingdom upon earth is mysteriously bound up with both the wealth and the work of men. And they forget that Christ regards what is given to his people and to his cause as given to himself. It is, therefore, an honour to be permitted to dedicate of our substance to ends so lofty, to a Master so gracious.

V GIFTS OFFERED IN A RIGHT SPIRIT ARE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. There is much in Scripture which proves that this is so. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver;" "It is accepted according to that a man hath;" "He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully." If our offerings be dedicated from Christian motives, and to wise and scriptural objects, we need be under no apprehension lest our Lord should despise the givers or reject their gifts. T.

Vers. 11-17.

God"s preserving kindness.

The key-note of this chapter is the passage, "Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went" (vers. 6, 13). We may let the other verses of the text take their tone from this.

I GOD"S PRESERVING KINDNESS TO DAVID. This was manifested in various ways: God preserved him from:

1. Injury in battle. He was neither slain nor wounded by the darts that musthave been levelled at him by many a foe.

2. Defeat in war. He was never beaten by any enemy he encountered, and,finally, all his foes submitted to his rule.

3. Serious mistakes in public policy. Solomon, his brilliant son, committeda most serious error in overtaxing his people; and Rehoboam, his grandson, started on his royal career with a fatal blunder. (2Ch 10) But David had been thus far preserved from taking any step which endangered his own position or enfeebled his kingdom; hence he was delivered from:

4. Disloyalty on the part of his subjects. "Executing judgment and justiceamong all his people" (ver. 14), placing competent men at the head of the different departments of the state (vers. 15-17), he was secure of the attachment of his people, and "reigned over all Israel" without (at this time) any danger of rivalry or disturbance.

5. Special spiritual perils. David was exposed to the peculiar danger ofkings, and very particularly to the peril of complacency and self-glorification. He had risen from the sheepcote to the throne, had enlarged and magnified the Hebrew kingdom, had attained to considerable distinction in the world (so far as it was known to him), and he must, as a fallible man, have been under a strong temptation to glorify himself and take great credit for enterprise and sagacity. From this "the Lord preserved David." The human sovereign laid his victorious position at the feet of the Divine King. He did not apply the spoils of war to the embellishment of his own house, but "dedicated them unto the Lord" (ver. 11). But he did something more and better than this: he ascribed his successful career witness his psalms of thanksgiving to the good hand of his God upon him. He gave God the glory. Thus "the Lord preserved him whithersoever he went," even when he went far along that "slippery place prominence, power, success in battle.

II GOD"S PRESERVING KINDNESS TO US. We have to bless God as our Creator, Provider, Father, Redeemer; we have also to magnify him as our continual Preserver. He preserves us.

1. In life; both in the retention of our being, (Job_10:12) and in the continuance of our existence on earth.

2. In health; in freedom from disease, in deliverance from mental failure, inthe possession of "heart and hope.

3. In favourable circumstance; saving from overwhelming loss and fromcrushing disappointment, and (often for very long periods together) from saddening bereavement.

4. In spiritual integrity. When other things had gone, David could findunspeakable consolation in the thought, "As for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity". (Psa_41:12) And whatever may betide; though God should remove health, treasure, kindred, friends, from the path on which we walk, yet if he is maintaining us in his fear and in the love of our Redeemer, if he is delivering us from the shipwreck of the soul, (1Ti_1:19) and sustaining us by the upholding power of his Holy Spirit, (Psa_51:12) then may we exclaim, not in the accents of despondency like the broken patriarch, (Job_7:20) but in the joyous and thankful tones of a successful spiritual warrior," What shall I do unto thee, O thou Preserver of men? C.

Loyalty to God in the time of success.

It is noted that the best of the spoils of David"s wars he loyally "dedicated unto the Lord," thus proving himself as faithful in the time of prosperity and success as he had proved himself in the time of failure and trouble. The testing power of adversity is often considered, and D, indeed, one of the familiar topics of public teaching; but the testing power of prosperity is not worthily estimated or efficiently treated. Yet God works by both, and the second provides the more searching and severe forms of testing. Many a man"s root-weakness of character has been discovered by success. It is harder work to go up in life, keeping hold of God"s hand, than it is to go down. And it says much for David, and little for Solomon, that under God"s temporal blessings David held fast his integrity, and Solomon virtually forsook the God of his fathers. In the instance now before us, David had a grand present from Tou, the King of Hamath. Such a present would seem to be his own exclusive property, and no man could have blamed him if he had added it to his private estate. But, in pious loyalty to God, he looked upon it as a part of the success.with which God had attended his labours, so he dedicated it to the honour and service of God, and gained a far richer blessing out of the gift than if he had kept it for himself.

I SUCCESS IN LIFE MAY SEPARATE US FROM GOD. It may, by filling our life with fresh interests, and crowding out God. It may, by nourishing pride, and destroying the conditions on which alone God can dwell with us. It may, by making the real god of our worship to be self, and so dethroning the living God. It may, by declaring our unfaithfulness as we use the success for self, and not for God, and so bring ourselves under Divine judgments. Or it may, by nourishing carnal security, and bringing us into a spiritual condition that must grieve and quench the Holy Spirit.

II SUCCESS IN LIFE MAY BIND US CLOSELY TO GOD. It will, if we fully recognize the Source whence all success comes. It will, if we are watchful over our spiritual culture, through the means of grace, while the success is growing. It will, if we are fully resolved to consecrate to God"s use any success we may gain. It will, if we carefully reproportion our gifts, to God"s house and service, as our success advances. Compare Jacob"s early vow at Bethel, (Gen_28:22) "Of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give a tenth to thee." And illustrate David"s sacrifices for the tabernacle and temple during his reign, culminating in his splendid gift out of his "own proper good," his own private property, just at the close of his career. (1Ch_29:3-5) We may be directly helped in maintaining the right spirit, under advancing prosperities, by the devotement of portions of our success to pious uses. Making the gift of portions testify that we hold the whole as God"s, and only entrusted to our stewardship in the mystery of the Divine grace. What have we that we have not received?" Offer what we may to God"s service, of it we must say but this, "Of thine own have we given thee. R.T.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.