1 Chronicles 19:1-20:8 (Thursday, June 19, 2025)

The Ammonites Disgrace David's Men

19:1 Now after this Nahash the king of the Ammonites died, and his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal kindly with Hanun the son of Nahash, for his father dealt kindly with me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came to the land of the Ammonites to Hanun to console him. 3 But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Have not his servants come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?” 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away; 5 and they departed. When David was told concerning the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 1,000 talents[a] of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah. 7 They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and came to battle. 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 9 And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the open country.

Ammonites and Syrians Defeated

10 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 11 The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. 12 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. 13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. 15 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab's brother, and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

16 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates,[b] with Shophach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head. 17 And when it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to them and drew up his forces against them. And when David set the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 7,000 chariots and 40,000 foot soldiers, and put to death also Shophach the commander of their army. 19 And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Syrians were not willing to save the Ammonites anymore.

Footnotes

1 Chronicles 19:6 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms

1 Chronicles 19:16 Hebrew the River

The Capture of Rabbah

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. 2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent[a] 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. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor[b] with saws and iron picks and axes.[c] And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Philistine Giants Killed

4 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. 5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 6 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. 7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down. 8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Footnotes

1 Chronicles 20:2 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms

1 Chronicles 20:3 Compare 2 Samuel 12:31; Hebrew he sawed

1 Chronicles 20:3 Compare 2 Samuel 12:31; Hebrew saws

Summary

1 Chronicles 19–20 recounts Israel’s war with the Ammonites and Arameans and later their victories over the Philistines. The conflict begins with a misunderstanding: when King Hanun of the Ammonites dishonors David’s envoys, suspecting them of espionage, he triggers a war. Rather than receiving David’s kindness, Hanun responds with humiliation and fear, hiring mercenaries from Aram. The narrative emphasizes God's providence in Israel’s defense and victory under Joab, Abishai, and David himself. Chapter 20 then compresses several other battles, including the defeat of the giants descended from the Rephaim.

Together, these chapters reveal the consequences of prideful suspicion, the importance of trusting God in battle, and God's ongoing faithfulness in giving His people victory over overwhelming odds.

Reflections

God defends the honor of His people and reigns over nations

1 Chronicles 19:13 (ESV)

“Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”

Joab's rallying cry highlights both human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Israel doesn’t passively sit back—they fight. However, they do so with deep trust that the outcome rests in God's hands. Joab’s words echo the theology of Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” God's people may be misjudged or attacked, but He remains the one who vindicates.

God exposes the folly of pride and the wisdom of covenant faithfulness

1 Chronicles 19:4–6 (ESV)

“So Hanun took David's servants and shaved them and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away; and they departed. When David was told concerning the men, he sent messengers to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

Hanun’s actions reveal how pride and fear distort judgment. Instead of receiving grace, he insults David's representatives and escalates into war. There is wisdom in honoring the kindness of a covenant king, yet rejecting the notion that grace has consequences. In contrast, David shows tenderness to the humiliated and courage in responding to threats. He is both a compassionate and righteous king, prefiguring Christ.

God strengthens His people to overcome even the giants

1 Chronicles 20:8 (ESV)

“These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”

The final note in this section points to the enduring theme of God enabling His people to defeat even the mightiest foes. Just as David once faced Goliath, now his servants defeat other giants. God’s power does not diminish with time. His promises extend beyond a single generation—those who serve under God’s anointed king will share in His victories.

Application

When misjudged or opposed, let us trust God’s justice and continue walking in integrity.

David’s kindness was misread as a threat, and his men were shamed. Yet David did not lash out impulsively. He waited, responded wisely, and trusted God to fight on behalf of Israel. In your life, you may be misunderstood or slandered. Don’t be shaken—walk in the character of Christ, leave vengeance to the Lord, and fight spiritual battles with humility and courage.

Prayer

Righteous and faithful God,

You are our defender and King. When others misjudge us or harm us without cause, help us not to respond in pride or fear. Teach us to walk in integrity like David, to trust You like Joab, and to rely on Your victory. Thank you for Jesus, the true King who was also dishonored and rejected—yet who rose in triumph and leads us into peace. May we honor Him with our lives and live with courage in the face of misunderstanding and opposition.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.