1 Chronicles 18 Devotional

Spoils Turned to Worship

“And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and various bronze articles.”1 Chronicles 18:8 (BSB)

Chapter 18 is a summary of war. David defeats the Philistines, Moab, Zobah, the Arameans and Edom, and twice the text gives the reason: the LORD made David victorious wherever he went (18:6, 18:13). It does not hide the cost, with thousands struck down and chariot horses hamstrung (18:4-5).

But look at what happens to the spoils. When the king of Hamath sends gifts of gold, silver and bronze, David dedicates them to the LORD, along with the silver and gold taken from the nations (18:10-11). The bronze taken from Hadadezer's cities is what Solomon later uses for the bronze Sea, the pillars and the bronze articles (18:8). What came from the battlefield ends up in the house of worship. The victories were never only for the king's glory. The LORD who gave them was gathering what would furnish a house for his Name. Whatever God has placed in your hands can be offered back to him for the same purpose.

To think about: What has God placed in your hands that you could deliberately offer back to him for his purposes this week?