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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 13 November 2025:
1 Chronicles 20:1 — In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it.
“But David remained at Jerusalem….” From this statement, 2 Samuel 11 continues to describe how David committed adultery with Bathsheba:
To me one of the most shocking, tragic, and frightening stories in the Bible is that of David’s adulterous and murderous deeds committed against his faithful warrior Uriah (but more importantly against God). How could this “man after God’s own heart” do such terrible, terrible things (deserving of the death penalty), particularly against someone as faithful and dedicated as Uriah who was deployed in combat fighting for the king? If David, a man who had such a close relationship with God, could do such a thing, what does that suggest about the potential susceptibility of ordinary people like us to sin terribly? We must vigilantly guard our hearts and walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh.
There are countless lessons in this story which will continue to unfold as we read on, but when I look at the chain of events (or decisions) that led to this tragedy, the words from 2 Chronicles 20:1 and 2 Samuel 11:1 jump out at me – The “time when kings go out to battle” begins with David not going. Though the Chronicler omits that scandal, described in 2 Samuel, to focus on God’s redemptive plan and David’s victories, the silence is deafening. The absence of the king at war when duty called him to lead reveals the subtle danger of spiritual complacency. Success breeds vulnerability. When David allowed comfort to replace calling, temptation found an open door.
Simply stated, David wasn’t where he should have been or doing what he should have been doing. David set the conditions for his demise through his complacency towards personal responsibility. Complacency kills! He had let his personal guard down and had, as we say in the Marine Corps, “gone internal” or had become “focused inward.” His focus shifted from “He” (God) to “me.” Self-gratification became the goal.
2 Samuel 11:2 expands upon David’s mental/emotional state: “It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful.” Why is the warrior king, during a time of war, on his couch late in the afternoon or idly walking around the roof of the palace? As the saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground.” David’s wandering mind led to wandering eyes which led to inappropriate inquiries which led to adultery and murder. Small decisions led to massive destruction (much of which we haven’t read about yet).
Meanwhile, Joab, the general David had sent, completes the mission which David should have led. The city of Rabbah (modern Amman, Jordan), capital of the Ammonites, was finally overthrown — a victory that had been delayed since the previous campaign (2 Samuel 11:1). Joab’s courage, commitment, and competence in the field contrasts David’s negligence at home. This juxtaposition warns us that even God’s most anointed servants can falter when they grow idle. The enemy often attacks not during battle but during boredom. Ephesians 6:13 reminds us: “Having done all, to stand firm….” Spiritual warfare never pauses, and neither should vigilance.
Faithfulness must be continuous. We all need a break from the responsibilities of life, and God’s word is clear that rest is critical to our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. However, even in our rest, we must remain alert to spiritual attacks. Just as our hearts, brains, and vital life-support systems remain active while we sleep at night, Christians must always guard their hearts and be very careful not to drift into complacency. Rest is important, but it must not become an idol, and quite often, responsibilities will demand we deny self for sake of doing what we must.
When we shirk our responsibilities in life, we make ‘self’ king and open the door to sin. David should have stayed focused on his responsibilities and should have gone to battle with the rest of the men. You can imagine David telling himself, “I deserve a break; after all, I am the king, and look how hard I have been working all these years; Joab can handle it.” Be very careful when you find yourself looking for an escape from the burdens of responsibility or commitment. During these times of mental and emotional weakness, you are very susceptible to sin. David went to his rooftop and let his mind and eyes wander. Where do you go when you feel you need a break from life’s responsibilities and just want to “check out” or “turn off,” when you just want to stop thinking?
Be very careful about where you turn for entertainment or “amusement.” In Latin the word “muse” means to think. In Latin, when you place the letter “a” in front of a word it means the opposite; so “a-muse” means to not think or to stop thinking. However, as stated above, we never really stop thinking. So, amusement involves letting your guard down intentionally, to “just relax and escape the concerns of life.” Where do most Americans choose to stop thinking? In front of media devices or in front of TVs, which promote very destructive ideas and behaviors – essentially, they open the gates of their minds to sin. Also, many choose to ‘relax’ in social settings which promote excessive eating and alcohol. Does that make sense? “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
We all need a break from work and life stressors, but replace amusement with recreation, which is to ‘re-create’ oneself, activities which promote your health and welfare, which help prepare you for another day serving God. Do enjoyable, constructive things that refresh you, revive you, and contribute to a better you. Have fun, but with a sober, fully engaged mind. Use that “down time” to get outside and appreciate God’s creation, to pray, read the Bible, and fellowship with others – “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) Finally, don’t let your mind drift into negativity — “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice…. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:4-8)
– Proverbs 4:23-27 [NIV] — Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it…. Keep [God’s word] within your heart…. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Above all else, guard your heart by meditating upon God’s word and remaining vigilant in thought, word, and deed. Don’t let your eyes drift or your feet wander. Also, remember, “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Sheep don’t rest with wolves, neither do Christians turn to the ungodly for entertainment for amusement.
– 1 Corinthians 10:31 — So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
– Colossians 3:17 — And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1 Chronicles 20:2 — And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount.
Though David receives the Ammonite crown, the Chronicler’s focus is not on his sin but on his restored position as God’s anointed victor. This symbolizes divine sovereignty over the nations — the crown of a pagan king now rests on the head of the Lord’s chosen one. It is a picture of Christ, the greater Son of David, who will one day wear every crown (Revelation 19:12). The talent of gold (approximately 75 pounds) underscores the immense wealth of the city, yet also reminds us how heavy crowns can be. Authority always bears weight — moral, spiritual, and ethical. When we wear responsibility, whether in leadership, family, or ministry, we must remember that the gold of honor carries the gravity of holiness (James 3:1).
1 Chronicles 20:3 — And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
David’s treatment of the conquered Ammonites is harsh but consistent with ancient warfare norms. It represents justice against a nation that had persistently defied the Lord and desecrated His name (Amos 1:13). Yet, we must read this through the lens of the cross. Christ, the true King, conquers not by subjugating enemies but by transforming them into citizens of His kingdom (Ephesians 2:13–16). What David did with iron tools, Jesus does with grace. He rebuilds what sin destroyed and redeems those once opposed to Him.
Still, there’s a sobering lesson: the fruit of disobedience outlives the moment of sin. The war Joab finished was one David started but did not complete when he should have. Neglected duty always costs more later. The Ammonite campaign was longer, harder, and bloodier because of David’s lapse. Spiritually, delayed obedience leads to prolonged struggle. The battles we avoid today return tomorrow, often magnified.
1 Chronicles 20:4-8 — And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam. And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down. These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
In Chronicles 20, we read about the slaying of four giants, one the brother of Goliath. You remember the story of David and Goliath: When David met Goliath on the field of battle, 1 Samuel 17:40 says, “Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” Why did David take five stones? Perhaps because David was prepared to kill all five giants! At any rate, David’s courageous leadership helped others around him see what is possible. How might you be able to help others overcome their giants by killing yours? Also, we must remember that when we kill our giants, there will be others we will need to fight as well. Be strong and courageous through your personal challenges for yourself and for others.
This repetition of continuing victories over the Philistine giants carries deep spiritual symbolism. The giants represent recurring generational threats, strongholds that seem to reemerge even after prior victories. The same bloodline of enemies, the same defiant spirit (“he taunted Israel”), resurfaces. But now, it’s not David alone who slays them; it’s his men — Sibbecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan.
That’s the mark of true leadership. David’s faith in earlier years inspired faith in others. The courage that once defeated Goliath has become contagious. Leaders are successful not when they win every battle personally, but when they raise up others who can carry the same mantle. 2 Timothy 2:2 captures the pattern: “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” David’s faith became institutionalized, a legacy of victory through belief in God’s power.
These final verses of the chapter show the expansion of the same theme: the triumph of faith over fear, God’s people standing firm against overwhelming odds, and the eventual subjugation of every proud challenger to His kingdom (Philippians 2:10). The war that began with David ends with his men. Victory multiplied through discipleship.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 13 November 2025: Don’t grow complacent in seasons of ease. The moment you stop fighting the good fight of faith is the moment you start losing unseen battles. Stay vigilant, stay faithful, and stay in the field God has assigned you. Be a warrior who trains others to fight their own giants. The battles you win today prepare someone else to conquer tomorrow.
Pray: “Father, keep me from the spiritual drift that comes with comfort and success. Help me to stay vigilant in prayer, steadfast in obedience, and strong in purpose. Make me a leader who inspires others to trust You in their own battles. Let every victory point to Christ, the King who conquers not by force, but by grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 