Scripture is full of fascinating nuggets of information, hidden gems buried in lengthy genealogies, and descriptions of ordinary battles. I love finding these glimpses of God’s humor and creativity. I always chuckle when I read John say he was faster than Peter (John 20:4) or Paul preaching for so long that someone fell asleep and fell right out of a window (Acts 20:9). There’s Balaam’s talking donkey (Numbers 22:28–30) and Methuselah who lived more than 900 years (Genesis 5:27). David once presented Saul with 200 foreskins (1Samuel 18:27), and Samson killed a thousand men with a donkey jawbone (Judges 15:16).
In today’s passage, there is a great nugget along these same lines: “there was a man of extraordinary stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He, too, was descended from the giant. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of David’s brother Shimei killed him” (1Chronicles 20:6–7).
The stories of David’s mighty battles have this incredibly detailed little parenthetical: a giant with twelve fingers and twelve toes is killed for taunting Israel. This giant was one of several mentioned toward the end of 1 Chronicles 20, which caps off a three-chapter list of battles David won.
“The LORD made David victorious wherever he went” (1Chronicles 18:6). And in this particular stretch of Scripture, it’s true. These accounts fall directly after God made his covenant with David, promising him that a king from David’s line would rule forever.
David and his armies defeated the Philistines, Moabites, Zobath, Arameans, and more. David tasted victory after victory. We know that David tasted failure after failure in other areas of his life (2 Samuel 11:27).
Life feels like that sometimes. A string of wins followed by deep challenges; perhaps one area of life is going well, and in another, you just can’t keep your head above water. But we are like David, anchored by a gift from God. David received a covenant blessing, and we have as well. When we believe in Jesus, our future—no matter life’s twists and turns—is guaranteed by His death on the cross and His defeat over the grave.
Just like David’s sins cost him victories in his life, our own sin leads us away from God and walking with Him. But in the end, our victory is secure. Because the promise that God made to David came true in Jesus Christ.
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36 thoughts on "David’s Military Campaigns"
All I hear is victory + God being with me. Come what may I’m anchored in that . And walking with renewed confidence today .
I love your strong faith Mari. Blessings to you!
“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool” Psalm 110:1 it’s not what I do but what Christ has done. I pray that I learn to let Him secure my “victories” instead of trying to work in my own strength. That I do what I can do but leave the rest to the Lord. Amen. Have a blessed Sunday!
“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool” Psalm 110:1
Amen, powerful reading
God had made a covenant with David and promised a king from his line would reign forever. Then David begins this series of victories. I wonder if he thought this was it, this was how God would establish his line, with might and power and victory over this enemies. But that was just sort of a taste of the victory we have in Jesus. Those earthly battles and wins were a blessing to David and the Israelites, but God still had so much more planned.
I love and I am comforted by how consistent God is- just like when He told the Israelites to ask for the jewels of the Egyptian oppressors (would be used for the temple) God gave David plunder too that would be used for His temple! Such a beautiful reminder that God has a purpose for every action and every thing!!! Praying you all have a great weekend and restful Sunday!!
Thank you for sharing!
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Our future is guaranteed by what Jesus did on the cross & what seems wise to man is not always wise – I needed these reminder today ❤️
Happy Friday ladies!! Praying it’s a great weekend for everybody!!
Happy Friday ladies!! Praying it’s a great weekend for all.
V
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Amen
OH MY!!!!
BUT GOD…!!!
God spoke to me through Melanie’s devotional today. I’m unable to get into the doctor to be released to return to work until next Friday. But I’m also having some problems with reactivating my nursing license. As I read the last three or four paragraphs of Melanie’s devotional I was crying saying I hear You Lord I HEAR YOU.
God I hear You speaking to me through this devotional, telling me “everything is in My Hands Dorothy. I have ‘your back’.” I know You are there for my every need and I now turn everything over to You and Your Christ Jesus. Amen.
Be blessed and know God and Christ have “your back” NO MATTER WHAT happens sisters.
I love knowing and remembering that our future is secure in Christ. We don’t need to conjure up victory in ourselves, we just need to rely on Jesus and walk in his victory for us.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! – 1 Corinthians 15:57 ❤️
Another nugget I found, is in 1 chronicles 19. In Proverbs there are many verses about listening to wise counsel…. In life, there are many people that appear wise. But we really need to pray for discernment, and be careful whose report we actually believe. I know that it is all Gods plan, but King Nahash’s son listened to the leaders, who were skeptical of David’s motives, (another nugget), and, really gave poor advice to the new king. Had they shown kindness as his father had, they would have saved themself from so much grief.
So many nuggets in todays reading. God makes us victorious. My birth mom named me Doloris which means “our lady of sorrow”. My step mom, who raised me, called me Lori, which means “Victorious one”. Like many in the Bible, I believe God gave me a new name….
“The Lord made victorious wherever went.” It is not what *we* do it is what the Lord has already done. – Sharing that with friends and a family today. Amen.
While I was reading todays reading, it also stuck out to me that “THE LORD made David victorious” and was repeated twice in 1 Chronicles 18. Our success does not come from ourselves, but from Gods blessing in our lives and through us.
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Our future is secure. Again such comfort this morning. We may fail, I fail, but my life is guaranteed because of Jesus, and only because of Jesus! Happy FRIDAY sweet sisters! My favorite day of the week! We’re having an all staff meeting at 11 AM. Not sure where this is going but I know changes are coming up. Again. Not sure if I mentioned I had a meeting with upper management this week and expressed how I felt. Please pray as I’m trying to make wise decisions. But I’m waiting on God to make that move. I trust my God, my Jesus, Jehovah Jireh, He will continue to provide. And I won’t move until He tells me too.
Good morning She’s!
@Searching0 Ha! I’m exhausted, that’s the word!
But God is growing me. Stretching me for His good work. We know the end of the story, we even know that our life and time here is temporary and will come to an end as well. But what is God’s purpose for us? A big question, and we can’t possibly know the answer, but do we care or are we going to wait till the 3rd or 4th act of our reel? I get so encouraged when I see young people living their life for our almighty God! You young women that come here to read scripture and study the word every day! Trying to put God’s will first! I wish I would have had that desire at your age rather than trying to do it my own way. But God, at least my stubborn head did come to realize this. And I am in awe of the things he can do! We read the story of David, and the battles God fought for him, detailing the story that was weaved! When my friends read my story (my funeral and the memories spoken and thought), will they know I was led by God, my battles fought by the Lord? They will if they read my journals! haha. But i hope I have a glorious tale, from loser to victor, to failures to success, from worldly to sanctified! Thank you Lord Jesus! You are the leader of my life! I may have weakness and pain, but by your stripes I am healed…. God, be with my sisters, help us to look to you in ALL things, you make a way, the battle belongs to you, and you make us a victor!
Thank you Lord for putting these prayer warriors in my life, they are dear! :)
Amen
God thank you for your promises that are yes and amen! Thank you that even when I stumble, your word doesn’t shift or change- who You are doesn’t shift or change. You are constantly faithful. Praise you Jesus!
Awed by the Lord’s love and work in David’s life, and humbled by His love and work in our lives today. Despite his character flaws and times of poor judgment and sin, God’s love never wavered for David or His people and He came through for them again and again. Thanks to Jesus, all who are saved by His sacrifice are His people now. Praise His Holy Name! Praying that I focus on Him and His will & wisdom.
RHONDA J – you are inspiring!
BRIELLE HEBERT – praying for you and your family, and niece’s healing
TRACI GENDRON – I hear you! ❤️
Good morning everyone, happy Friday. I would love your continued prayers as I hope to leave this job. Yesterday I was helping with training another individual and he received a call from an upset parent who was very manipulative and just relentless to try and get what he wanted (I work at a call center). I have been ruminating on it a lot since then even though I wasn’t the one taking the call, but was listening as it was happening. I would appreciate prayers that I can let this go and stop thinking about it, and that it would not increase my anxiety today at work. This job honestly is so difficult for everyone’s mental health, and I just want to leave as soon as possible. Thank you for your prayers!
Lord Father I stand in victory today through the righteous blood of Christ. I pray blessings of victory over my family in Jesus name, Thank you! Amen
May I live out of the freedom of the promise/truth that Jesus has secured my victory. May I surrender, trust, and obey. Thank you Jesus <3
@Sarah D: so cool your supervisor sent a letter of recommendation! Praying this door would be opened for you!
“the promise that God made to David came true in Jesus Christ.” God has made me victorious over my enemies sin, death, and the grave. THANK YOU, JESUS!
ARINA – amen
SARAH D – what a blessing the Lord gave you! Praying you have wisdom moving forward in the application process.
Thank you Lord that in the victories and the failures you are always there for me. I have Christ and his death on the cross and victory over the grave as my covenant promise. Thank you.❤️
Victory in Jesus, may Savior forever! ❤️
Amen. Thank you Lord
It stood out to me that Joab could say before the battle: May the Lord’s will be done. He literally was willing to entrust His life and that of all his soldiers in the hand of the Lord. He knew they were not at fault for this war and so He trusted God. It will definitely have changed how he went into the battle. No longer afraid of death or defeat because He knew Gods will is good. May I have the same willingness to give everything over to the Lord. At peace in the battle, for I can trust the Lord.