In the days when King David ruled over Israel, the land was marked by both peace and war. The Lord had granted David many victories, and his kingdom was firmly established. Yet, the enemies of Israel were relentless, and the Ammonites, a people who had long been adversaries of God’s chosen nation, stirred up conflict once more. This is the story of the events recorded in 1 Chronicles 20, a tale of valor, divine favor, and the humbling of the proud.
It was the season when kings went out to battle, a time when the earth awakened from its winter slumber, and the fields were ripe for conquest. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. The weight of his crown and the responsibilities of his kingdom kept him in the city, but he sent Joab, his mighty commander, and the armies of Israel to wage war against the Ammonites. The Ammonites had long been a thorn in Israel’s side, and their capital, Rabbah, was a stronghold of pride and defiance.
Joab led the Israelite forces with skill and courage, for he was a man seasoned in the art of war. The armies of Israel marched toward Rabbah, their banners fluttering in the wind, their swords gleaming in the sunlight. The Lord was with them, and they fought with the confidence of those who knew they served the Almighty. The siege of Rabbah was long and arduous, for the city was well-fortified, its walls towering and its gates reinforced with iron. Yet, Joab and his men pressed on, trusting in the Lord to deliver the enemy into their hands.
As the siege dragged on, word reached David in Jerusalem that Joab had made significant progress. The city’s defenses were weakening, and its people were growing desperate. David, stirred by the news, decided to join his troops. He gathered his men and set out for Rabbah, his heart burning with a desire to see the victory completed. When he arrived, he found the city on the brink of collapse. Joab had already captured the lower city, and the royal citadel stood as the last bastion of Ammonite resistance.
David led the final assault, his presence inspiring the troops to fight with renewed vigor. The sound of trumpets echoed across the battlefield as the Israelites stormed the citadel. The Ammonites fought fiercely, but they were no match for the armies of the Lord. The city fell, and with it, the pride of the Ammonites was shattered. David’s men plundered the city, taking great spoils of gold, silver, and precious stones. Among the treasures was the crown of Milcom, the Ammonite god, a symbol of their idolatry and rebellion against the one true God. David took the crown and placed it upon his own head, a sign of the Lord’s triumph over the false gods of the nations.
But the victory at Rabbah was not the only triumph recorded in those days. The Philistines, another ancient enemy of Israel, rose up to challenge David’s rule. They sent their champions, giants descended from the line of Rapha, to intimidate and terrify the Israelites. These giants were men of extraordinary size and strength, their very presence enough to strike fear into the hearts of ordinary soldiers. Yet, the Lord had raised up mighty men in Israel, warriors who trusted not in their own strength but in the power of God.
In one battle, a giant named Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, taunted the armies of Israel. But Sibbecai the Hushathite, one of David’s valiant warriors, stepped forward to face him. With faith in the Lord and courage in his heart, Sibbecai struck down the giant, silencing his mockery and bringing glory to God. In another encounter, Elhanan, the son of Jair, faced off against Lahmi, the brother of Goliath. Though Lahmi was a formidable foe, Elhanan trusted in the Lord and emerged victorious, slaying the giant and delivering Israel from his terror.
Yet, the most remarkable of these battles took place in the land of Gob, where another giant, a man of immense stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, defied the armies of Israel. This giant, a descendant of Rapha, was a fearsome sight, his very presence a challenge to the faith of God’s people. But Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, rose to the occasion. Though the giant towered over him, Jonathan did not falter. With unwavering faith and the strength of the Lord, he struck down the giant, proving once again that the battle belongs to the Lord.
These victories were not merely the result of human strength or military strategy. They were a testament to the faithfulness of God, who had promised to deliver Israel’s enemies into their hands. David and his men understood that their triumphs were not their own but were granted by the hand of the Almighty. They fought not for personal glory but for the honor of the Lord, and in doing so, they brought peace to the land and secured the legacy of David’s reign.
As the dust settled on the battlefield and the spoils were divided, David and his men returned to Jerusalem, their hearts filled with gratitude and praise. They knew that the Lord had fought for them, that He had humbled the proud and exalted the humble. And so, they offered sacrifices of thanksgiving, acknowledging that every victory, every triumph, was a gift from the God of Israel, the one true King.
Thus, the events of 1 Chronicles 20 remind us that the battles we face, whether physical or spiritual, are not won by our own might but by the power of the Lord. In every victory, may we give glory to Him, for He is our strength, our shield, and our deliverer.
