What feelings does the word “empire” arouse in you? For many today, the colonial enterprises of past generations seem highly questionable, in terms of the (sometimes racist) attitudes that lay behind these enterprises and the legacy that they have bequeathed to the modern world.

Today’s text describes how David created an empire. He fought many battles against neighbouring nations, extended Israel’s control to the north and east, and established his reign more firmly. “I will also subdue all your enemies,” God had promised David (1 Chronicles 17:10). According to today’s text, God kept His promise: “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (18:6, 13).

David also aimed to uphold justice and righteousness within Israel (v. 14). He set up military, administrative, and religious structures, and put trusted men in charge of them. This was another of David’s positive achievements, by which he aimed to maintain the stability of his kingdom.

In common with most of the Old Testament, the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles have no problem with wars and fighting. As one commentator puts it, God in the Old Testament gives His people “mountain-top visions” (visions of a world of peace, justice, and righteousness), but also “gets involved with energy in the warlike world at the bottom of the mountain”.⁵ God chooses to give humans a role in His purposes: God starts where humans are. He does not simply sweep the messiness of human history aside to make room for His kingdom, but works in the midst of the mess. God’s involvement in Israel’s wars is one consequence of this choice.

David, however, does not wage war indiscriminately. 1 Chronicles 19 begins with David seeking to maintain peaceful relations with Ammon. But peace turns to war when David’s envoys are treated as spies and humiliated (19:4–5). Fierce battles follow: first against Ammon and Aramean mercenaries (vv. 6–19), then against Ammon alone (20:1–3).

In chapter 19, the focus falls on Joab, David’s right-hand man. Faced with enemy forces on two sides, he divides his army, commits both forces to help the other if required, tells them to fight boldly, and entrusts what follows to God (19:10–13). Israel wins on both fronts. Perhaps there was a message here for the Chronicler’s contemporaries: they must work together, each of them playing their part in God’s purposes.

Chapter 20 continues with brief narratives of further battles against the Philistines (20:4–8). Three formidable warriors challenge Israel: their defeat is a further sign that Israel under David is securely in possession of the land.

Note, however, the brief phrase in 20:1: “but David remained in Jerusalem” (compare with 2 Samuel 11:1), which was likely intended as a reminder of David’s affair with Bathsheba and its terrible consequences of murder and civil war (2 Samuel 11–21). The Chronicler knew that David’s legacy was more ambiguous than what he focused on in today’s text.

See also 2 Samuel 8; 10; 11:1; 12:26–31; 21:18–22.

⁵ J. Goldingay, 1 & 2 Chronicles for Everyone (London: SPCK, 2012), 50.