1 CHRONICLES 19-21

Heart Issues
David began to look at what he had to offer instead of trusting in God. He had seen God do so much yet he wanted to know how many men he had to see if he could do all that he wanted to do. This is definitely my struggle in life. I struggle to trust God to go far beyond what I am capable of, but I let my strengths shine forth and for me to receive all the praise. I need to recognize my need for God more and more all the time. He and He alone can bring people to himself, raise up disciples and laborers, I am just a piece of the puzzle. I am so thankful that God does use me despite my struggle with pride and self-confidence. I want more friends like Joab that will tell me to my face when I am doing sinful things or am relying on myself. Joab was a true friend to speak this boldly to the king.

Notes
-The entire battle between the Ammonites and the Arameans started because of a misunderstanding and began with a nice gesture. This can be like our arguments with people sometimes.
-David’s fighting men killed men as big as Goliath as well, if not bigger. When the bible says huge, its not playing around.
-The writer of 1 Chronicles omits a lot about David’s life that makes him look bad, but goes into detail about the number of fighting men. There is no story here of Bathsheba, Absalom’s rebellion or his murder of Uriah. All of that is hinted at in the first section of chapter 20 where he said that kings go off to war, but David stayed in Jerusalem.
-David, in all probability, slackening in his piety and confidence toward God, and meditating some extension of his dominions without the Divine counsel or command, was naturally curious to know whether the number of fighting men in his empire was sufficient for the work which he had projected.