1 Chronicles 18:4, 9-11 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen… The Spirit of God is a faithful Biographer. If he records the good features of character in God's children, he is no less faithful in describing the dark side of their character. In this the Word of God is a striking contrast to all human biography. David's cruel conduct in "houghing the chariot-horses" is in keeping with the imperfect light of that dispensation, and is not recorded for our imitation any more than the records of crime in our daily press. It teaches us that there is only One perfect. There is a blot on every escutcheon except that of the Lord Jesus; and they are recorded by the Spirit of God in order that the eye of the soul should be ever turning from the best of earth's heroes to him who is the "chief of ten thousand, and the altogether lovely." Let us be warned by the cruelties of David's time and mark his graces, and follow him so far as he followed Christ. Hadarezer's spoils and every other are consecrated to God. Not a trophy falls into David's hands but is laid there. Hadarezer's spoils and Tou's gifts are all alike - the Lord's. May we follow him here, and cast every crown at the feet of Jesus! - W. Parallel Verses KJV: And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. |
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