I Chronicles 20: Victory Over the Ammonites and the Giants
And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David’s head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.
And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.
These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
I Chronicles 20 picks up the narrative of David's reign, focusing on military victories that solidify his kingdom. While seemingly straightforward, this chapter offers glimpses into both the strength of David's army and the potential pitfalls that accompany power. The chronicler strategically highlights God's favor upon David and his people through these triumphs.
The Ammonite Campaign (I Chronicles 20:1-3)
I Chronicles 20:1-3 recounts the continuation of the war against the Ammonites. The phrase "at the time when kings go out to battle" (I Chronicles 20:1) subtly alludes to a significant event not explicitly detailed here. As Tony Evans points out, this echoes the opening of II Samuel 11, where David remained in Jerusalem while his army fought, leading to his sin with Bathsheba and the death of Uriah. The chronicler, however, avoids dwelling on this dark episode. His focus is not on David's personal failings, but on God's overarching plan for Israel. Instead, we see Joab leading the army to victory against Rabbah, the Ammonite capital. David eventually arrives to conquer the city (I Chronicles 20:2), and the people are subjected to harsh treatment, including being put to work with saws, iron picks, and axes (I Chronicles 20:3). This detail, while brutal, underscores the completeness of Israel's victory and the consequences of opposing God's chosen people.
Battles Against the Philistine Giants (I Chronicles 20:4-8)
The narrative then shifts to conflicts with the Philistines (I Chronicles 20:4-8). These verses highlight the prowess of David's warriors in defeating formidable Philistine giants. We encounter specific heroes like Sibbecai the Hushathite, who killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the giants (I Chronicles 20:4); Elhanan, the son of Jair, who killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath (I Chronicles 20:5) – a subtle difference from the account in Samuel, which attributes Goliath's defeat to David himself; and Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shimei, who killed a giant who taunted Israel (I Chronicles 20:7).
These victories demonstrate that no obstacle, even the most physically imposing, could stand in the way of God's people when they relied on His strength. These giants represent more than just physical threats; they symbolize the spiritual and moral challenges that Israel faced. The courage and skill of David's men, empowered by God, allowed them to overcome these challenges.
The Significance of Victory
I Chronicles 20, while relatively short, is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. The military successes described here were not simply the result of superior strategy or brute force. They were a manifestation of God's blessing and protection. The chronicler's selective focus on these triumphs serves to emphasize the strength and stability of David's kingdom under God's guidance.
Furthermore, the chapter serves as an encouragement to believers today. Just as God empowered David's warriors to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, He also equips us to face the challenges in our lives. By trusting in His strength and remaining faithful to His word, we can experience victory over the "giants" that threaten to hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness.
This chapter serves as a prelude to the events of I Chronicles 21, where David's pride leads him to conduct a census against God's will, highlighting the constant need for humility and reliance on God, even in times of great success.
And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.
And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David’s head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city.
And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.
And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.
These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
I Chronicles 20 picks up the narrative of David's reign, focusing on military victories that solidify his kingdom. While seemingly straightforward, this chapter offers glimpses into both the strength of David's army and the potential pitfalls that accompany power. The chronicler strategically highlights God's favor upon David and his people through these triumphs.
The Ammonite Campaign (I Chronicles 20:1-3)
I Chronicles 20:1-3 recounts the continuation of the war against the Ammonites. The phrase "at the time when kings go out to battle" (I Chronicles 20:1) subtly alludes to a significant event not explicitly detailed here. As Tony Evans points out, this echoes the opening of II Samuel 11, where David remained in Jerusalem while his army fought, leading to his sin with Bathsheba and the death of Uriah. The chronicler, however, avoids dwelling on this dark episode. His focus is not on David's personal failings, but on God's overarching plan for Israel. Instead, we see Joab leading the army to victory against Rabbah, the Ammonite capital. David eventually arrives to conquer the city (I Chronicles 20:2), and the people are subjected to harsh treatment, including being put to work with saws, iron picks, and axes (I Chronicles 20:3). This detail, while brutal, underscores the completeness of Israel's victory and the consequences of opposing God's chosen people.
Battles Against the Philistine Giants (I Chronicles 20:4-8)
The narrative then shifts to conflicts with the Philistines (I Chronicles 20:4-8). These verses highlight the prowess of David's warriors in defeating formidable Philistine giants. We encounter specific heroes like Sibbecai the Hushathite, who killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the giants (I Chronicles 20:4); Elhanan, the son of Jair, who killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath (I Chronicles 20:5) – a subtle difference from the account in Samuel, which attributes Goliath's defeat to David himself; and Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shimei, who killed a giant who taunted Israel (I Chronicles 20:7).
These victories demonstrate that no obstacle, even the most physically imposing, could stand in the way of God's people when they relied on His strength. These giants represent more than just physical threats; they symbolize the spiritual and moral challenges that Israel faced. The courage and skill of David's men, empowered by God, allowed them to overcome these challenges.
The Significance of Victory
I Chronicles 20, while relatively short, is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant with David. The military successes described here were not simply the result of superior strategy or brute force. They were a manifestation of God's blessing and protection. The chronicler's selective focus on these triumphs serves to emphasize the strength and stability of David's kingdom under God's guidance.
Furthermore, the chapter serves as an encouragement to believers today. Just as God empowered David's warriors to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, He also equips us to face the challenges in our lives. By trusting in His strength and remaining faithful to His word, we can experience victory over the "giants" that threaten to hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness.
This chapter serves as a prelude to the events of I Chronicles 21, where David's pride leads him to conduct a census against God's will, highlighting the constant need for humility and reliance on God, even in times of great success.