October 05, 2010
When David did what the LORD said was right; the LORD blessed him with victories. I Chronicles 18:6;13 - "The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went."
David tried to show the people of Ammon compassion after their king died. Instead of accepting the messengers, they were suspicious of David and his motives. The Ammonites shamed Israel by making the messengers publicly ashamed. They cut off their beards and exposed their nakedness. They knew they had insulted David so they went on the aggressive and hired the Arameans (32,000 chariots AND the army) to help attack and defeat them. The Israelites were surrounded but they faced the battle. The Ammonites were on one side and the hired Arameans on the other. Joab gathered Israel's army. They were split to attack each side, yet they pledged to help one another so the enemy could be defeated. Joab said, "Be strong. We must fight bravely... the LORD will do what he thinks is right." The KJV says "let" the LORD do what is right.
Joab and his army attacked the Ammonites and Arameans. They both turned and ran. The Arameans regrouped, added more soldiers and attacked again. When David heard this he gathered all the people, he prepared them for battle and crossed the Jordan river, facing the Arameans. David soundly defeated them. The Arameans refused to help the Ammonites again and the Ammonites were completely defeated.
When David inquired of the LORD and followed his commands, he had success. When he decided to do things on his own, he bore the consequences. David decided to count the people. Why? God promised Abraham they would be like the stars in the sky. Why did David need to know a number? Joab tried to tell him it was wrong. But David wouldn't listen and had the people counted. The LORD was angry. David repented but there were still consequences for David and the Israelites. Horrible consequences. David took personal responsibility and the LORD relented.
The LORD asked for an offering and David gave it, only after rightfully purchasing the land and the things required. It was offered to David free. But David knew that if it was to be from his heart he could not take what was someone else's and "give" it as his own personal gift to the LORD.
Our gift to the LORD has to be ours. Our life, our pride, our possessions, our will, our dreams, our hope, our all.
Next Entry: I Chronicles 22:2 – 24:31
When David did what the LORD said was right; the LORD blessed him with victories. I Chronicles 18:6;13 - "The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went."
David tried to show the people of Ammon compassion after their king died. Instead of accepting the messengers, they were suspicious of David and his motives. The Ammonites shamed Israel by making the messengers publicly ashamed. They cut off their beards and exposed their nakedness. They knew they had insulted David so they went on the aggressive and hired the Arameans (32,000 chariots AND the army) to help attack and defeat them. The Israelites were surrounded but they faced the battle. The Ammonites were on one side and the hired Arameans on the other. Joab gathered Israel's army. They were split to attack each side, yet they pledged to help one another so the enemy could be defeated. Joab said, "Be strong. We must fight bravely... the LORD will do what he thinks is right." The KJV says "let" the LORD do what is right.
Joab and his army attacked the Ammonites and Arameans. They both turned and ran. The Arameans regrouped, added more soldiers and attacked again. When David heard this he gathered all the people, he prepared them for battle and crossed the Jordan river, facing the Arameans. David soundly defeated them. The Arameans refused to help the Ammonites again and the Ammonites were completely defeated.
When David inquired of the LORD and followed his commands, he had success. When he decided to do things on his own, he bore the consequences. David decided to count the people. Why? God promised Abraham they would be like the stars in the sky. Why did David need to know a number? Joab tried to tell him it was wrong. But David wouldn't listen and had the people counted. The LORD was angry. David repented but there were still consequences for David and the Israelites. Horrible consequences. David took personal responsibility and the LORD relented.
The LORD asked for an offering and David gave it, only after rightfully purchasing the land and the things required. It was offered to David free. But David knew that if it was to be from his heart he could not take what was someone else's and "give" it as his own personal gift to the LORD.
Our gift to the LORD has to be ours. Our life, our pride, our possessions, our will, our dreams, our hope, our all.
Next Entry: I Chronicles 22:2 – 24:31
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