1 Chronicles 18

David's Military Campaigns

1 After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from Philistine control.
2 He also defeated the Moabites, and they became David's subjects and brought tribute.
3 David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah at Hamath when he went to establish his control at the Euphrates River.
4 David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers from him and hamstrung all the horses, and he kept 100 chariots.[a]
5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to assist King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 Aramean men.
6 Then he placed garrisons[b] in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became David's subjects and brought tribute. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
7 David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer's officers and brought them to Jerusalem.
8 From Tibhath and Cun, Hadadezer's cities, David also took huge quantities of bronze, from which Solomon made the bronze reservoir, the pillars, and the bronze articles.[c]
9 When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of King Hadadezer of Zobah,
10 he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and to congratulate him because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, for Tou and Hadadezer had fought many wars. [Hadoram brought] all kinds of items of gold, silver, and bronze.
11 King David also dedicated these to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all the nations-from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the Amalekites.
12 Abishai son of Zeruiah struck down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.[d]
14 So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people.
15 Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was court historian;
16 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech[e] son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was court secretary;
17 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites;[f] and David's sons were the chief officials at the king's side.[g]

1 Chronicles 18 Commentary

Chapter 18

David's victories.

( 2 Samuel 19 ) under the Captain of our salvation, will end in everlasting triumph and peace. The happiness of Israel, through David's victories, and just government, faintly shadowed forth the happiness of the redeemed in the realms above.

Footnotes 7

  • [a]. Or chariot horses
  • [b]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss omit garrisons; 2 Sm 8:6
  • [c]. 1 Kg 7:15-47; 2 Ch 3:15-4:18
  • [d]. 2 Sm 8:1-14
  • [e]. Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; other Hb mss read Abimelech; 2 Sm 8:17
  • [f]. 2 Sm 23:23
  • [g]. 2 Sm 8:15-18

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 18

The eighteenth and nineteenth chapters are the same with 2Sa 8:1-10:19, 20:1-26 with very little variations, which are observed in the notes on them, to which the reader is referred. 18850-950102-2024-1Ch18.2

1 Chronicles 18 Commentaries

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