David’s military achievements were tremendous. On Israel’s western border, he defeated the Philistines, and even conquered Gath, the home of his old enemy Goliath (I Chronicles 18:1; I Samuel 17). To the east, across the Dead Sea, he defeated the Moabites (I Chronicles 18:2). To the north, he defeated the king of Zobah and the Arameans, even putting a garrison of soldiers in the ancient town of Damascus (I Chronicles 18:3-6). To the south, he subjugated the Edomites, the descendants of Jacob’s twin brother Esau (I Chronicles 18:12-13).

How was David able to do all that? Military historians would wonder about his tactics, or perhaps point to his ability to organize all the tribes of Israel, concentrating men and materiel where they could have the greatest effect. Political historians might point to his diplomatic skills, or simply to the reality that success often breeds success – after all, the king of Hamath formed an alliance with the Israelites when David defeated some of his old enemies (I Chronicles 18:9-10).

But the Chronicler has a simpler explanation, one he repeats in I Chronicles 18:6 and 13: “The Lord helped David wherever he went.” Yes, David did the best he could, but it was God who was ultimately responsible for the results – that’s why God received the glory.

And the same thing should be true of whatever successes we achieve today. God has given all of us the skills, the resources and the relationships we have. So, let’s use them the way He wants and let’s give Him all the credit for all the good we can do.

I Chronicles 18:1-13

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.
2 And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.
3 David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his rule to the Euphrates River.
4 And 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.
5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 men of the Arameans.
6 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.
7 And David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 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.
9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,
10 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.
11 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.
12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
13 Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the LORD helped David wherever he went.