1 Chronicles 20

1 Chronicles 20:1

WAR WITH AMMONITES AND PHILISTINESChapter 20 concludes this section on the wars of David. The constant, persistent, enemies of Israeland especially of Davidwere the Ammonites and the Philistines. There was no such thing as compromise between Israel and those enemies. It looks as if Joab was the aggressor in this case. Although he may have been, we need to remember that David had made a friendly gesture to the young king of Ammon, but he was insulted and immediately the new king came against David in warfare. So this is just a continuation of that warfare. There can be no compromise with the enemy. There can be no compromise with evil. This idea today that right and wrong can walk together is all wrong. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amo_3:3). My friend, if you are walking with evil, it is because you have compromised with it, you have agreed with the evil. This is something that the world is forgetting. It would be amusing if it were not so tragic that there are so many people who are horrified at war when it is across the ocean but are happy to tolerate lawlessness in our streets. They say we must learn to understand and to appreciate the lawbreakers. May I say that there is a hypocrisy in our contemporary culture that is sickening beyond degree.

If it is evil across the ocean, it is evil here. Evil must be opposed. Lawlessness must be opposed. Right and wrong are in opposition. There cannot be an agreement between the two. It is during this campaign that David stayed at Jerusalem, and this is the time that he committed his great sin with Bathsheba. Notice that God doesn’t record that sin here. God has said that He forgives our sins and that He will remember our sins no more. He means that. Now here is another persistent enemy of Israel: the Philistines.

1 Chronicles 20:4

In this conflict with the Philistines, three men who were giants were slain by David and his men. David, of course, became famous as a young fellow for slaying the giant Goliath. The Philistines were the unrelenting enemy of Israel all during the life of David. My friend, the believer has an unrelenting enemy also. We are fighting against spiritual wickedness in high places. If you are a child of God, you are also a soldier of God. That is the reason we are enjoined to “Put on the whole armour of God …” (Eph_6:11). We are not to march against anyone; we are to stand. If you stand for the things of God, you are in a battle.

You are in a war whether you like it or not. The wars may cease in Asia and in Africa and in Europe and in the western hemisphere, but there will still be war as long as there is evil in the world. As Paul said to the Ephesian believers, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph_6:13). This is the message in chapter 20 for you and for me.