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1 Chronicles 20

1 Chronicles20

World English Bible · Public Domain

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1 At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.

2 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. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.

3 He brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

4 After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.

5 Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

6 There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.

7 When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

8 These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

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1 Chronicles 20

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 20. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: David's wars. (1-8).

vv1-8

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

1 Chronicles 20
v12 Samuel 11:1thematic

Parallel account of the campaign against Rabbah during the time kings go out to battle.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v32 Samuel 12:31thematic

Parallel text detailing the treatment or labor of the conquered Ammonite citizens.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallel record of the battles with the Philistine giants at Gezer/Gob.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v22 Samuel 12:30thematic

Parallel description of the massive weight of the crown taken from the Ammonite king.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v52 Samuel 21:19thematic

Parallel text with textual variation regarding Elhanan and Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v12 Samuel 12:26thematic

Helps reconcile David tarrying in Jerusalem with his subsequent arrival to capture Rabbah.

Supported by JFB

v62 Samuel 21:20thematic

Parallel description of the multi-toed and multi-fingered giant of Gath.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v82 Samuel 21:22thematic

Parallel summary statement of the giants falling by the hand of David's servants.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Psalms 21:3thematic

Thematic connection to God setting a crown of pure gold upon David's head.

v51 Samuel 17:7thematic

Identical verbal description of a giant's massive spear-staff being like a weaver's beam.

v71 Samuel 17:26thematic

Parallels the giant defying Israel and the theological response to such defiance.

v71 Samuel 16:9thematic

Identifies Shimea (Shammah) as David's brother, establishing the lineage of the slayer Jonathan.