1 Chronicles 14: The King’s Blessings

Key Verse
17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.
 
Meditation
God’s anointed King blesses His people. King Jesus pours out blessings on His followers in countless ways, including subduing the enemy (Colossians 2:15), expanding the family of God through disciple-making (Matthew 28:18-20), and advancing the glory of God among the nations (Philippians 2:9-11). The right response is joyful worship of our King.

In today’s reading, the blessings experienced under King David foreshadow the greater blessings believers receive under King Jesus. David’s reign is marked by God-given victories: surrounding nations were subdued and brought tribute (vv. 1-2), David’s household and influence grew (vv. 3-6), and enemies were defeated to extend the king’s honor and leadership (vv. 7-17). The text emphasizes that the Lord blessed David and the Lord fought for David, resulting in blessing for Jerusalem and all Israel through David’s faithful leadership.

As with David, Christians live in the tension of the already and the not yet of God’s kingdom. God’s blessing “broke through” to David (v. 11) and continued throughout his reign, but its fullness lay ahead. Likewise, the blessings we enjoy through King Jesus are real, present, and powerful, yet we await their complete fulfillment when Christ returns in glory.

To embrace the blessings of the true King means trusting Jesus with our whole heart. We trust that the enemy is defeated, living from Christ’s victory. We trust that God will grow His kingdom family as we make disciples. We trust that God’s glory will advance in our neighborhoods and to the nations as we love others with the love we have received.

God’s anointed King blesses His followers… so let us rejoice in Him and His blessings!
 
Today’s Reading
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. 2 And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.

3 And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 4 These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5 Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7 Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.

Philistines Defeated
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.

13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the blessing of God on His anointed king and the blessings on His people through king David?
 
-How are the blessings of both David and King Jesus a foretaste of what is to come?
 
-What does it look like for you to rejoice in the “already” blessings of Jesus today? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.