1 Chronicles 20
8 verses
The continuation and conclusion of the Ammonite war and the notices of Israel's victories over the Philistines and their giants demonstrate the completeness of David's military dominion and the fulfillment of the covenant promise that enemies will be subdued before him. The chapter begins with the conquest of Rabbah, the Ammonite capital (verses 1-3), showing that David's power extends even to subjugating neighboring kingdoms and claiming their treasures. The encounters with Philistine giants (verses 4-8), recalling the Goliath narrative but showing multiple giant opponents, emphasize the comprehensive nature of David's victories and his ability to overcome seemingly impossible foes. The notice that Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Sippai, one of the Philistine giants (verse 4), and that other warriors similarly defeated other giants, demonstrates that David's own valor is matched by the courage of his mighty men. The listing of the giants' defeats creates a sense of closure—the old enemies that challenged Israel in earlier eras (from the Goliath of 1 Samuel) are now definitively overcome. For the post-exilic community, this chapter reinforces the vision of Davidic supremacy: Israel's enemies are subdued, the territorial promises are fulfilled, and the king reigns in security. The chapter's conclusion of the major military campaigns suggests a transition from warfare to the more important work of temple building and worship establishment that will dominate the remaining chapters.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
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.
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2
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.
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3
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.
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4
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.
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5
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.
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6
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.
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7
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.
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8
These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
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