1 Chronicles 20

1 The following spring, at the time of the year when kings usually go to war, Joab led out the army and invaded the land of Ammon; King David, however, stayed in Jerusalem. They besieged the city of Rabbah, attacked it, and destroyed it. 1
2 The Ammonite idol Molech had a gold crown which weighed about seventy-five pounds. In it there was a jewel, which David took and put in his own crown. He also took a large amount of loot from the city.
3 He took the people of the city and put them to work with saws, iron hoes, and axes. He did the same to the people of all the other towns of Ammon. Then he and his men returned to Jerusalem.
4 Later on, war broke out again with the Philistines at Gezer. This was when Sibbecai from Hushah killed a giant named Sippai, and the Philistines were defeated.
5 There was another battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath from Gath, whose spear had a shaft as thick as the bar on a weaver's loom. 2
6 Another battle took place at Gath, where there was a giant with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He was a descendant of the ancient giants.
7 He defied the Israelites, and Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shammah, killed him.
8 These three, who were killed by David and his men, were descendants of the giants at Gath.

1 Chronicles 20 Commentary

Chapter 20

David's wars.

- Though the Lord will severely correct the sins of his believing people, he will not leave them in the hands of their enemies. His assistance will overcome all advantages of number and strength of those that defy his Israel. All that trust in Christ, shall be made more than conquerors through him that loveth them.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 20.1 2 Samuel 11.1.
  • 2. 20.5 1 Samuel 17.4-7.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Ammonite idol Molech; [or] Ammonite king.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CHRONICLES 20

Agrees with various passages in the second book of Samuel; 1Ch 20:1 with 2Sa 11:1 and 1Ch 20:2,3 with 2Sa 12:30,31 and the rest, to the end of it, with 2Sa 21:15-22. What differences there are, are observed in the notes on those passages, which see. Also see 1Ch 21:1. 18886-950102-2025-1Ch20.2

1 Chronicles 20 Commentaries

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.