1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 19: Be brave and trust the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Joab led the army, let us ask the LORD for help together. Ask Him to show us that He does what is good, and to lead us to Jesus, who trusted the Father.

Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth.

Psalm 31:5

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You do what is good, and show us Jesus, who trusted the Father all the way to the cross. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David wanted to show kindness to Hanun, king of the Ammonites, whose father had died (verses 1 and 2). Hanun's princes said David's men had come to spy, so Hanun shamed David's messengers (verses 3 to 5). The Ammonites then hired chariots and men from Syria, and the two armies came against Israel (verses 6 and 7). Joab told his men to be courageous, and he asked the LORD to do what seemed good to Him (verse 13). Both armies fled, and when the Syrians came again, David defeated them, and they made peace with him (verses 14 to 19).

As you read 1 Chronicles 19, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD does what seems good to Him, and His people can be brave and trust Him.

David sent messengers to comfort Hanun, but Hanun's princes called them spies, and Hanun shamed them (verses 1 to 5). The Ammonites then hired chariots and men from Syria, and two armies came against Israel (verses 6 and 7). Joab was attacked in front and behind, so he divided his army with his brother Abishai (verses 10 and 11). Then he said, “Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God” (verse 13). He added a prayer, that the LORD would do what seemed good to Him (verse 13). This teaches that God decides how a battle ends, so His people can be brave and leave it with Him. It matters because courage that rests on an army can fail, while trust in God does not. It shows God as good in all He does, and as One who may be trusted with the result of every battle. Jesus prayed that the Father's will be done, and then He went to the cross (Luke 22 verse 42).

How does 1 Chronicles 19 show us that the LORD does what seems good to Him, and that His people can be brave and trust Him?

David wanted to show kindness, and he was treated with scorn.

David sent messengers to comfort Hanun after his father's death (verses 1 and 2). The Ammonite princes said they were spies (verse 3). Hanun shamed David's messengers and sent them away (verse 4). David told them to wait at Jericho until their beards had grown (verse 5).

Joab told his men to be brave and leave the result to God.

Joab was attacked before and behind, so he divided the army with Abishai (verses 10 and 11). He said, “Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God” (verse 13). He asked the LORD to do what seemed good to Him (verse 13). The Syrians and the Ammonites fled (verses 14 and 15).

Jesus prayed that the Father's will be done, and went to the cross.

Jesus prayed that the cup might pass, and then said the Father's will must be done (Luke 22 verse 42). The Father's will led Him to the cross. There He bore the sin of His people (1 Peter 2 verse 24). Jesus trusted the Father all the way.

Memorise

Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him.”

1 Chronicles 19:13

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I trust God with the outcome, and do I trust Jesus for my sin?

Joab told his men, “Be courageous,” and asked the LORD to do what seemed good to Him. Jesus prayed in the garden that the Father's will be done, and then He walked to the cross (Luke 22 verse 42).

Sinners cannot win the battle with sin by courage. On the cross Jesus bore the punishment for His people's sin, and His death paid for their sins, and what He finished cannot be undone. He rose from the grave, and sin and death have lost their hold on those He saves.

So trust Him with your sin. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. Anyone who trusts Him has forgiveness, and can face every battle knowing the Lord is good.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD does what seems good to Him, and that Jesus prayed that the Father's will be done. Parents, please explain verses 4 and 5 gently, and say that the fighting here was a war between nations. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He does what is good, and that Jesus trusted the Father, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

Psalm 119:68

Lord God, thank You that You are good, and that You do good. Please turn each of us from sin to trust Jesus, who trusted the Father. Help us to be brave and leave the result with You this week. Amen.