The Victory of the Submissive

1 Chronicles 18:1 (ESV) After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines.

The 18th chapter of 1 Chronicles is filled with victories for David. He first takes the stronghold of Gath where Goliath was from and then proceeds to decimate his enemies on every side. It's really an incredible account of a man zealous to cleanse the house of Israel from the foreign nations around them. 

It is not without intention the Chronicler mentions David's great victories right after chronicling David's submissive attitude toward God concerning the building of the Temple. We remember that 1 Chronicles 17 started with his mind on building a temple. He is rejected for this task and given a promise that God would bless his house forever, bringing the world an everlasting kingdom. David submits to God's authority and receives the negative answer to his desires with humility. I believe it was that humility that empowered David's victories in God going forward. 

1 Chronicles 18:6 (ESV) Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

We often want victory in our lives but forget the source of victory is found in God. He will cause us to triumph over our enemies. He will establish our cause. But we enter into victory with submission in our hearts. 

David's humility was exemplified most notably in the manner in which he treated the spoils of war. 
1 Chronicles 18:7 (ESV) And David took the shields of gold that were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 18:9–11 (ESV) When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the whole army of Hadadezer ... 10 he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze. 11 These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek.

David took nothing for himself alone. He submitted all the spoils of war to God. He knew the Lord would establish him, not the gifts of other nations. 

1 Chronicles 18:13 (ESV) Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

David models a life in full surrender. If there is an enemy, God will help us gain the victory. If there is a success, God will be honored in it. If there is a realignment of purpose, God will direct us where He wants us to go. This is the life of a man submitted to God. 

Perhaps the best part of David's submissive lifestyle was the benefit it brought to others. 
1 Chronicles 18:14 (ESV) So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.

David's kingdom brought justice to all. So you could say finally if there was a mantle of leadership to assume, God's people would benefit. 

In sum, we aren't here to get all we can for ourselves. We ARE here to do all we can for God and His people. Do not seek great things for yourself. Seek great opportunities to do great things for others. This is what our world needs more than ever. 


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