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1 Chronicles 18

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Some time laterוַיְהִי֙way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →, Davidדָּוִ֛ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → defeatedוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →, subdued themוַיַּכְנִיעֵ֑םway·yaḵ·nî·‘êm — To subdue, humble, or bring into subjectionH3665 — Full Word Study →, and tookוַיִּקַּ֛חway·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → Gathגַּ֥תgaṯ — A Philistine cityH1661 — Full Word Study → and its villagesוּבְנֹתֶ֖יהָū·ḇə·nō·ṯe·hā — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → from the handמִיַּ֥דmî·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →. 2David also defeated the Moabitesמוֹאָ֑בmō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study →, and theyמוֹאָב֙mō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study → becameוַיִּהְי֤וּway·yih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → subjectעֲבָדִ֣ים‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → to Davidלְדָוִ֔ידlə·ḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → and brought himנֹשְׂאֵ֖יnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → tributeמִנְחָֽה׃min·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →. 3As far as Hamath, Davidדָּוִ֛ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → also defeatedוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → Kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Hadadezerהֲדַדְעֶ֥זֶרhă·ḏaḏ·‘e·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study → of Zobahצוֹבָ֖הṣō·w·ḇāh — Syrian kingdomH6678 — Full Word Study →, who had marched outבְּלֶכְתּ֕וֹbə·leḵ·tōw — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → to establishלְהַצִּ֥יבlə·haṣ·ṣîḇ — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study → his dominionיָד֖וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → along the Euphratesפְּרָֽת׃pə·rāṯ — The Euphrates RiverH6578 — Full Word Study → Riverבִּֽנְהַר־bin·har- — River, StreamH5104 — Full Word Study →. 4Davidדָּוִ֨ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → capturedוַיִּלְכֹּד֩way·yil·kōḏ — To capture, seize, or take hold ofH3920 — Full Word Study → from himמִמֶּ֜נּוּmim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → a thousandאֶ֣לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → chariotsרֶ֗כֶבre·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study →, sevenוְשִׁבְעַ֤תwə·šiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → thousandאֲלָפִים֙’ă·lā·p̄îm — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → charioteersפָּֽרָשִׁ֔יםpā·rā·šîm — Horseman; cavalry soldier or mounted warriorH6571 — Full Word Study →, and twentyוְעֶשְׂרִ֥יםwə·‘eś·rîm — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → thousandאֶ֖לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → foot soldiersרַגְלִ֑יraḡ·lî — on foot; infantry soldier; footmanH7273 — Full Word Study →, and he hamstrungוַיְעַקֵּ֤רway·‘aq·qêr — to uproot; to hamstring; to destroy completelyH6131 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the horsesהָרֶ֔כֶבhā·re·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study → except a hundredמֵ֥אָהmê·’āh — hundred; a large complete numberH3967 — Full Word Study → he keptוַיּוֹתֵ֥רway·yō·w·ṯêr — to remain, be left over, excelH3498 — Full Word Study → for the chariotsרָֽכֶב׃rā·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study →. 5When the Arameansאֲרַ֣ם’ă·ram — Ancient Mesopotamian regionH758 — Full Word Study → of Damascusדַּרְמֶ֔שֶׂקdar·me·śeq — Capital of SyriaH1834 — Full Word Study → cameוַיָּבֹא֙way·yā·ḇō — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to helpלַעְז֕וֹרla‘·zō·wr — to help, aid, supportH5826 — Full Word Study → Kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Hadadezerלַהֲדַדְעֶ֖זֶרla·hă·ḏaḏ·‘e·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study → of Zobahצוֹבָ֑הṣō·w·ḇāh — Syrian kingdomH6678 — Full Word Study →, Davidדָּוִיד֙dā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → struck downוַיַּ֤ךְway·yaḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → twenty-twoעֶשְׂרִֽים־‘eś·rîm- — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → thousandאֶ֖לֶף’e·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → men. 6Then heדָּוִיד֙dā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → placed garrisons in Aramבַּאֲרַ֣םba·’ă·ram — Ancient Mesopotamian regionH758 — Full Word Study → of Damascusדַּרְמֶ֔שֶׂקdar·me·śeq — Capital of SyriaH1834 — Full Word Study →, and the Arameansאֲרָם֙’ă·rām — Ancient Mesopotamian regionH758 — Full Word Study → becameוַיְהִ֤יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → subjectעֲבָדִ֖ים‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → to Davidלְדָוִ֔ידlə·ḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → and brought himנֹשְׂאֵ֣יnō·śə·’ê — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → tributeמִנְחָ֑הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →. So the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → made Davidלְדָוִ֔ידlə·ḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → victoriousוַיּ֤וֹשַׁעway·yō·wō·ša‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → whereverבְּכֹ֖לbə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → he wentהָלָֽךְ׃hā·lāḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 7And Davidדָּוִ֗ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → tookוַיִּקַּ֣חway·yiq·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the goldהַזָּהָ֔בhaz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → shieldsשִׁלְטֵ֣יšil·ṭê — Shield; protective armor; defenseH7982 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → belongedהָי֔וּhā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → toעַ֖ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the officersעַבְדֵ֣י‘aḇ·ḏê — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → of Hadadezerהֲדַדְעָ֑זֶרhă·ḏaḏ·‘ā·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study → and brought themוַיְבִיאֵ֖םway·ḇî·’êm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃yə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 8And from Tibhathוּמִטִּבְחַ֤תū·miṭ·ṭiḇ·ḥaṯ — Tibhath, a cityH2880 — Full Word Study → and Cunוּמִכּוּן֙ū·mik·kūn — A Syrian cityH3560 — Full Word Study →, citiesעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Hadadezerהֲדַדְעֶ֔זֶרhă·ḏaḏ·‘e·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study →, Davidדָּוִ֛ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → tookלָקַ֥חlā·qaḥ — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a largeמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → amountרַבָּ֣הrab·bāh — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → of bronzeנְחֹ֖שֶׁתnə·ḥō·šeṯ — Copper; bronze; metal object; figuratively, something base or vileH5178 — Full Word Study →, with which Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֗הšə·lō·mōh — His peaceH8010 — Full Word Study → madeעָשָׂ֣ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the bronzeהַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙han·nə·ḥō·šeṯ — Copper; bronze; metal object; figuratively, something base or vileH5178 — Full Word Study → Seaיָ֤םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, the pillarsהָֽעַמּוּדִ֔יםhā·‘am·mū·ḏîm — pillar, column, support structureH5982 — Full Word Study →, and various bronzeהַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת׃פhan·nə·ḥō·šeṯ — Copper; bronze; metal object; figuratively, something base or vileH5178 — Full Word Study → articlesכְּלֵ֥יkə·lê — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study →. 9When Kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Touתֹּ֖עוּtō·‘ū — King of HamathH8583 — Full Word Study → of Hamathחֲמָ֑תḥă·māṯ — Northern Syrian cityH2574 — Full Word Study → heardוַיִּשְׁמַ֕עway·yiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Davidדָוִ֔ידḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → had defeatedהִכָּ֣הhik·kāh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the entireכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → armyחֵ֖ילḥêl — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study → of Hadadezerהֲדַדְעֶ֥זֶרhă·ḏaḏ·‘e·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study → kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Zobahצוֹבָֽה׃ṣō·w·ḇāh — Syrian kingdomH6678 — Full Word Study →, 10he sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֣חway·yiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → his sonבְּנ֣וֹbə·nōw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → Hadoramהֲדֽוֹרָם־hă·ḏō·w·rām- — Hadoram, a descendant of Joktan and his tribal nameH1913 — Full Word Study → to greetלִשְׁאוֹלliš·ʾōl — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → Kingהַמֶּֽלֶךְ־ham·me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Davidדָּ֠וִידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → and bless himוּֽלְבָרֲכ֗וֹū·lə·ḇā·ră·ḵōw — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → forעַל֩‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → fightingנִלְחַ֤םnil·ḥam — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → and defeatingוַיַּכֵּ֔הוּway·yak·kê·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → Hadadezerבַּהֲדַדְעֶ֙זֶר֙ba·hă·ḏaḏ·‘e·zer — Hadad is My HelpH1909 — Full Word Study →, who had beenהָיָ֣הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → at warמִלְחֲמ֥וֹתmil·ḥă·mō·wṯ — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → with Touתֹּ֖עוּtō·‘ū — King of HamathH8583 — Full Word Study →. Hadoram brought all kinds of articlesכְּלֵ֛יkə·lê — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → of goldזָהָ֥בzā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → and silverוָכֶ֖סֶףwā·ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and bronzeוּנְחֹֽשֶׁת׃ū·nə·ḥō·šeṯ — Copper; bronze; metal object; figuratively, something base or vileH5178 — Full Word Study →, 11andגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → Kingהַמֶּ֤לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Davidדָּוִיד֙dā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → dedicatedהִקְדִּ֞ישׁhiq·dîš — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study → theseאֹתָ֗ם’ō·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, along withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the silverהַכֶּ֙סֶף֙hak·ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and goldוְהַזָּהָ֔בwə·haz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → he had carried offנָשָׂ֖אnā·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → from allמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → these nations—from Edomמֵֽאֱד֤וֹםmê·’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study → and Moabוּמִמּוֹאָב֙ū·mim·mō·w·’āḇ — From his fatherH4124 — Full Word Study →, and from the Ammonitesוּמִבְּנֵ֣יū·mib·bə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, Philistinesוּמִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖יםū·mip·pə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study →, and Amalekitesוּמֵֽעֲמָלֵֽק׃ū·mê·‘ă·mā·lêq — Amalek the EnemyH6002 — Full Word Study →. 12Moreover, Abishaiוְאַבְשַׁ֣יwə·’aḇ·šay — Abishai, David's military commander and nephewH52 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Zeruiahצְרוּיָ֗הṣə·rū·yāh — Zeruiah, David's sisterH6870 — Full Word Study → struck downהִכָּ֤הhik·kāh — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → eighteenשְׁמוֹנָ֥הšə·mō·w·nāh — The number eight; eighth in sequenceH8083 — Full Word Study → thousandאָֽלֶף׃’ā·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → Edomitesאֱדוֹם֙’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study → in the Valleyבְּגֵ֣יאbə·ḡê — ValleyH1516 — Full Word Study → of Saltהַמֶּ֔לַחham·me·laḥ — Salt; mineral substance used for seasoning and preservationH4417 — Full Word Study →. 13He placedוַיָּ֤שֶׂםway·yā·śem — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → garrisonsנְצִיבִ֔יםnə·ṣî·ḇîm — Garrison, military outpost, or standing officerH5333 — Full Word Study → in Edomבֶּֽאֱדוֹם֙be·’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study →, and allכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Edomitesאֱד֖וֹם’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study → wereוַיִּהְי֥וּway·yih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → subjectעֲבָדִ֣ים‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → to Davidלְדָוִ֑ידlə·ḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study →. So the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → made Davidדָּוִ֔ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → victoriousוַיּ֤וֹשַׁעway·yō·wō·ša‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → whereverבְּכֹ֖לbə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → he wentהָלָֽךְ׃hā·lāḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 14Thus Davidדָּוִ֖ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → reignedוַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְway·yim·lōḵ — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → andוַיְהִ֗יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → administeredעֹשֶׂ֛ה‘ō·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → justiceמִשְׁפָּ֥טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → and righteousnessוּצְדָקָ֖הū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → for allלְכָל־lə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →: 15Joabוְיוֹאָ֥בwə·yō·w·’āḇ — Yahweh is FatherH3097 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Zeruiahצְרוּיָ֖הṣə·rū·yāh — Zeruiah, David's sisterH6870 — Full Word Study → was overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the armyהַצָּבָ֑אhaṣ·ṣā·ḇā — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →; Jehoshaphatוִיהוֹשָׁפָ֥טwî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Ahiludאֲחִיל֖וּד’ă·ḥî·lūḏ — My brother is majestyH286 — Full Word Study → was the recorder; 16Zadokוְצָד֧וֹקwə·ṣā·ḏō·wq — The righteousH6659 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Ahitubאֲחִיט֛וּב’ă·ḥî·ṭūḇ — My brother is goodH285 — Full Word Study → and Ahimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְwa·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ — Abimelech, a royal name meaning 'My Father is King'H40 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Abiatharאֶבְיָתָ֖ר’eḇ·yā·ṯār — Abiathar, a high priest of IsraelH54 — Full Word Study → were priestsכֹּהֲנִ֑יםkō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →; Shavshaוְשַׁוְשָׁ֖אwə·šaw·šā — Royal scribeH7798 — Full Word Study → was the scribe; 17Benaiahוּבְנָיָ֙הוּ֙ū·ḇə·nā·yā·hū — The Lord BuildsH1141 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Jehoiadaיְה֣וֹיָדָ֔עyə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘ — Yahweh KnowsH3077 — Full Word Study → was overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Cherethitesהַכְּרֵתִ֖יhak·kə·rê·ṯî — A Cretan warriorH3774 — Full Word Study → and Pelethitesוְהַפְּלֵתִ֑יwə·hap·pə·lê·ṯî — Royal guardH6432 — Full Word Study →; and David’sדָוִ֥ידḏā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → sonsוּבְנֵי־ū·ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → were chief officialsהָרִאשֹׁנִ֖יםhā·ri·šō·nîm — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → at the king’sהַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃פham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → sideלְיַ֥דlə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Chronicles 18
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

1 Chronicles 18 records David's military victories and expansion of Israel's kingdom under God's blessing. After establishing his capital in Jerusalem, David systematically subdues the surrounding nations—the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans (Syrians), and Edomites—bringing them under Israelite control and tribute. Rather than focusing on the gruesome details of warfare, the Chronicler emphasizes that the Lord preserved David wherever he went, and that David's victories ultimately served to gather resources dedicated to God and to establish a just and stable kingdom. This chapter demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant with David and foreshadows the peace and prosperity of Solomon's reign.

Verses 1–2: Initial Victories over Philistines and Moab

David begins by defeating the Philistines, Israel's ancient adversaries, and reclaims the city of Gath and its surrounding towns. He then turns his attention to Moab, subduing the nation and requiring them to pay tribute and acknowledge David's authority. These victories are significant because they eliminate threats on Israel's borders and establish David as a strong military leader. The phrase "became David's servants" indicates vassal status—these nations remained under Israelite control and paid tribute. For believers today, this reminds us that God honors faithfulness and leadership that advances His kingdom, and that He provides protection against spiritual enemies when we trust in Him.

Verses 3–6: Defeating the Aramean Coalition

David's campaign extends northward against Hadarezer, king of Zobah, whose kingdom stretched toward the Euphrates River. When Hadarezer's Aramean allies from Damascus come to his aid, David defeats them decisively, slaying 22,000 men. David's military strategy includes capturing vast quantities of war materials—1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 infantry—though he deliberately hamstrings most of the chariot horses, keeping only 100. This decision reflects military wisdom: chariot warfare was effective in flat, open terrain, but Israel's hilly geography made foot soldiers more practical. David establishes garrisons (military outposts) to maintain control. Verse 6 emphasizes the spiritual reality undergirding these conquests: "Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went." David's success flows from God's covenant favor, not merely human strategy.

Verses 7–13: Spoils Dedicated and Administrative Victories

David collects gold shields and vast quantities of bronze from the defeated nations—resources that Solomon later uses to construct the temple furnishings (verse 8). When Tou, king of Hamath, learns of David's victories, he sends his son to congratulate David and offer gifts of gold, silver, and bronze. This diplomatic gesture reflects David's growing prestige among neighboring kings. Crucially, verse 11 states that David dedicated all these precious materials to the Lord, understanding that his military success ultimately serves God's purposes. The conquest of Edom by David's commander Abishai and the subsequent garrisons established throughout the region complete a picture of comprehensive regional control. Again, verse 13 affirms God's active preservation of David's endeavors.

Verses 14–17: David's Administrative Structure

Having secured the kingdom militarily, David establishes a stable civil administration. He reigns over all Israel, executing justice and judgment among his people. The text lists key officials: Joab as commander of the army, Jehoshaphat as recorder (keeper of records), Zadok and Abimelech as priests, Shavsha as scribe, and Benaiah over the royal guard. This administrative structure reflects wisdom and order, ensuring that the kingdom operates fairly and efficiently. David's own sons hold positions of importance near the king, though they do not oversee the military or judiciary, preserving the separation of powers.

Application for Today

This chapter teaches that God honors faithful leadership that seeks to advance His kingdom and establish justice. While our spiritual battles differ from David's military campaigns, the principle remains: when we trust God, serve with integrity, and dedicate our victories and resources to Him, He sustains and blesses our efforts. Ask yourself: Am I dedicating my successes to God's purposes, and am I leading others with justice and wisdom?

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