1 Chronicles 20

The Capture of Rabbah

1 And it happened [that] {in the spring time of year}, the time [when] kings go out [to battle], Joab led the troops of the army and destroyed the land of the {Ammonites}. And he came and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab struck Rabbah and destroyed it.
2 And David took the crown of their king from his head and found it to weigh a talent of gold. And in it [was] a precious stone. Then it was [placed] upon the head of David. And he brought out the booty of the city, a large amount.
3 And the people who [were] in it he brought out, and {he set them to work with saws and iron implements and axes}. Thus David did to all the cities of the {Ammonites}. Then David returned, and all the nation [went] with him.

The Philistine Giants Slain

4 And after this there arose a war in Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim. And they were subdued.
5 And again there was war with the Philistines. And Elhanan 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 again there was war in Gath. And there was a {very tall} man [there], and {he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all}. He himself [was] also a descendant of the Rephaim.
7 And he taunted Israel, but Jehonathan son of Shimea, brother of David, struck him down.
8 These were born to the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

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.

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Literally "at the time of the returning of the year"
  • [b]. Literally "sons of Ammon"
  • [c]. The translation comes from 2 Samuel 12:31 since the Hebrew text here is uncertain
  • [d]. Literally "sons of Ammon"
  • [e]. Literally "measured"
  • [f]. Literally "and his fingers, six and six, twenty-four"

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 quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.