Chapter 339 of 1163

1 Chronicles 18

David defeated four great enemies because the Lord was with him. But David saw them as more than wars: they were opportunities to claim more territory for the Lord and gather more wealth for His treasury. He looked beyond the battle to the temple.

David reasoned, “If I cannot build the Lord’s temple, at least I can help my son do it.” One generation’s victories can help build the next generation’s temples. David dedicated to the Lord the spoils he won and the gifts and tribute he received. (See 1 Chron. 28.)

Each enemy can give you something to help build God’s work on earth. Temptation is the opportunity to get the treasure without first winning the battle. Faith overcomes the enemy and claims the spoils for the Lord.

Benaiah

In the Old Testament record, the name Benaiah belongs to at least a dozen men, but the most fascinating of all is the man mentioned in 1 Chronicles 18:17. He was born a priest (1 Chron. 27:5) but became a soldier. He began his military career as one of David’s mighty men (2 Sam. 23:20–23) and was put over David’s personal bodyguard. Eventually, Benaiah became head of Solomon’s army (1 Kings 2:35). He could have enjoyed a relatively safe and easy life as a priest, but he chose the dangerous life of a soldier to serve his king. He “killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day” (2 Sam. 23:20). Frank Boreham wrote, “He met the worst of enemies, in the worst of places, under the worst of conditions; and he won.” What a man!

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