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Explanation of 1 Chronicles Chapter 20

 


Explanation of 1 Chronicles Chapter 20

Introduction

1 Chronicles 20 continues the narrative of David’s military exploits, focusing on victories against the Ammonites and the Philistines. Unlike the corresponding passage in 2 Samuel 11, this chapter omits the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. Instead, it emphasizes his successes in battle, highlighting God’s faithfulness in granting victory to His chosen people.

1 Chronicles 20:1 – The Siege of Rabbah

"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He ravaged the land of the Ammonites and went to besiege Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins." (1 Chronicles 20:1)

This verse begins by setting the historical and seasonal context: spring was the customary time for military campaigns due to favorable weather and food supply conditions. The Ammonites had previously provoked Israel in 1 Chronicles 19 by humiliating David’s envoys. As a result, Joab, the commander of Israel’s army, led the forces against their capital, Rabbah (modern-day Amman, Jordan).

Notably, David remained in Jerusalem. This phrase hints at the episode with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11), though it is left out in Chronicles, which focuses on David’s victories and God’s covenant with him. The Chronicler avoids negative depictions of David, possibly to highlight his role as an ideal king.

1 Chronicles 20:2-3 – David’s Triumph over Rabbah

"David took the crown from the head of their king—its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones. It was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city. And he brought out the people who were there and set them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem." (1 Chronicles 20:2-3)

David’s eventual arrival at Rabbah signifies his role as Israel’s victorious king. He takes the crown of the Ammonite king (possibly King Hanun), which weighed about a talent of gold (~75 pounds). This weight suggests that the crown may have been a symbolic royal treasure rather than something worn in battle.

David also confiscates significant plunder, demonstrating God’s provision for Israel. His actions regarding the Ammonite population—putting them to forced labor with saws, iron picks, and axes—indicate total subjugation. Some translations suggest execution rather than enslavement, but the passage aligns with the broader practice of subduing enemy nations through labor.

The chapter then shifts from the Ammonites to the Philistines, demonstrating that David’s military campaigns were widespread.

1 Chronicles 20:4-8 – Battles Against the Philistine Giants

The final section of the chapter recounts three battles against the Philistines, particularly against their giant warriors, descendants of Rapha (a race of formidable warriors). These battles reaffirm Israel’s dominance over its long-time enemy.

1 Chronicles 20:4 – Sibbekai vs. Sippai

"In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subdued."

  • Sibbekai was one of David’s mighty warriors (1 Chronicles 11:29) and played a key role in defeating the giant Sippai.

  • This battle took place at Gezer, a strategic city that had been a frequent battleground.

  • The Rephaites (or “Rapha”) were a race of giants, and their defeat symbolizes Israel’s divine protection and superiority over formidable enemies.

1 Chronicles 20:5 – Elhanan vs. Lahmi

"In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod."

  • Elhanan, another of David’s warriors, kills Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.

  • The mention of a weaver’s rod for his spear echoes Goliath’s description in 1 Samuel 17:7, emphasizing the formidable size of the Philistine warriors.

  • There is some textual ambiguity between this passage and 2 Samuel 21:19, where it appears that Elhanan killed Goliath himself. However, it is widely accepted that Elhanan killed Goliath’s brother, while David was the one who defeated Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

1 Chronicles 20:6-7 – The Six-Fingered Giant

"In still another battle at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him."

  • This Philistine warrior was physically extraordinary, having six fingers and six toes, an uncommon genetic trait.

  • Jonathan, David’s nephew (the son of his brother Shimea), kills this giant, showing that the ability to defeat Philistine champions extended beyond David to his family.

  • The giant’s taunts reflect Goliath’s earlier challenges to Israel (1 Samuel 17), and his death signals the continued downfall of Philistine power.

1 Chronicles 20:8 – Summary of Victories

"These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men."

This concluding verse reiterates that David and his warriors successfully defeated the giants of Gath, further demonstrating God’s blessing on Israel. The emphasis on these victories reinforces Israel’s dominance over its enemies and serves as a reminder of divine assistance in battles.

Themes and Theological Insights

  1. God Grants Victory to His People

    • The passage underscores God’s hand in Israel’s military triumphs. Even against physically superior foes, God ensures victory through faithful warriors.

  2. David’s Role as a Conquering King

    • The Chronicler highlights David’s success, omitting his failures (e.g., the Bathsheba incident). This reflects an effort to present an idealized vision of his kingship, possibly to encourage the post-exilic community to remain faithful to God.

  3. The Defeat of Giants Symbolizes Overcoming Great Challenges

    • The Philistine giants represent overwhelming opposition, yet through God’s power, Israel triumphs. This theme of divine strength overcoming human impossibility resonates throughout Scripture.

  4. The Importance of Righteous Leadership

    • David’s leadership inspires his warriors, and his men emulate his faith and courage. This demonstrates the importance of strong, godly leadership in fulfilling divine purposes.

Conclusion

1 Chronicles 20 is a concise yet powerful account of David’s victories over the Ammonites and Philistines. By focusing on military success rather than personal failures, the Chronicler portrays David as the ideal king under whom Israel prospers. The defeat of the Philistine giants serves as a reminder of God’s power and the assurance that those who trust in Him will prevail against even the most formidable adversaries.

This chapter reinforces key biblical themes: God’s faithfulness, the blessings of righteous leadership, and victory through divine strength. It serves as an encouragement to believers to rely on God when facing life’s challenges, knowing that He is always in control.

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