
1 Chronicles 19
In 1 Chronicles 19, David seeks to extend kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, following the death of Hanun's father, Nahash. However, Hanun’s advisers misinterpret David’s gesture as espionage, leading to the humiliation of David’s messengers. This offense sparks a conflict between Israel and Ammon, who hire Syrian mercenaries for assistance. Joab and his brother Abishai lead Israel’s forces, securing a decisive victory. The chapter concludes with Israel defeating the Syrian reinforcements and forcing them into submission, leaving the Ammonites without their external support.
1 Chronicles 19:1 (NKJV)
1 It happened after this that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his place.
This verse introduces the event of Nahash, the king of Ammon, passing away, and his son succeeding him. Nahash had been an enemy of Israel but also had friendly relations with David at some point. The transition of power in Ammon sets the stage for a shift in the relationship between Israel and Ammon under the new leadership of Nahash's son.
1 Chronicles 19:2 (NKJV)
2 Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came to Hanun in the land of the people of Ammon to comfort him.
David remembers the kindness of Nahash and decides to extend that kindness to his son Hanun by sending messengers to express condolences. This act of goodwill on David's part shows his desire to maintain peace and honor the previous relationship he had with Nahash, despite Nahash's complex history with Israel.
1 Chronicles 19:3 (NKJV)
3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”
Hanun’s advisers plant suspicion in his mind about David's true intentions, suggesting that David’s messengers are spies. This reveals their distrust of David and ignites unnecessary tension between the two nations. Their paranoia causes them to misinterpret David's genuine gesture of goodwill.
1 Chronicles 19:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Therefore Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.
5 Then some went and told David about the men; and he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return.”
Hanun, acting on the suspicions of his advisers, humiliates David’s messengers by shaving their beards and cutting off their clothes, a serious insult in that culture. This public disgrace fuels a conflict between Ammon and Israel. David, showing compassion for his humiliated servants, instructs them to remain in Jericho until they recover their dignity, revealing his understanding of their shame.
1 Chronicles 19:6 (NKJV)
6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the people of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Mesopotamia, from Syrian Maacah, and from Zobah.
Realizing they had gravely offended David, the Ammonites prepare for war by hiring mercenaries from distant lands, including Mesopotamia and Syria. Their act of hiring outside forces shows they anticipate David’s retaliation and are trying to bolster their military strength, even though they initiated the offense.
1 Chronicles 19:7-8 (NKJV)
7 So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, with the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to battle.
8 Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.
The Ammonites assemble a large force of chariots and soldiers, positioning them near Medeba, a strategic location. When David learns of this, he sends Joab, his commander, along with his elite warriors, indicating that David is not taking the threat lightly and is prepared to meet the challenge head-on.
1 Chronicles 19:9 (NKJV)
9 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
The Ammonites take a defensive stance, positioning their forces outside the city gate, while the hired kings and their armies stay separate in the field. This divided strategy sets up a two-front battle, complicating Joab’s task by presenting him with multiple threats from both the Ammonites and their mercenaries.
1 Chronicles 19:10-11 (NKJV)
10 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians.
11 And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in battle array against the people of Ammon.
Joab, noticing that his forces are surrounded, strategically divides his army. He leads the best troops against the Syrian mercenaries, while placing the remaining soldiers under his brother Abishai to confront the Ammonites. This tactical division shows Joab’s skill in managing complex battle situations, ensuring that both threats are addressed simultaneously.
1 Chronicles 19:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you.
13 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
Joab encourages Abishai by stating that they will support each other if needed, depending on the outcome of their respective battles. He also rallies the troops by reminding them that they are fighting for their people and God’s cities. Joab places the outcome in God's hands, trusting that the Lord will ensure what is right.
1 Chronicles 19:14 (NKJV)
14 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.
When Joab leads his forces against the Syrians, the mercenaries quickly retreat. This unexpected victory against the hired forces demonstrates the superiority of Joab’s leadership and the strength of Israel’s army. The flight of the Syrians also weakens the Ammonite position in the battle.
1 Chronicles 19:15-16 (NKJV)
15 When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother, and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem.
16 Now when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers and brought the Syrians who were beyond the River, and Shophach the commander of Hadadezer’s army went before them.
The Ammonites, seeing their allies flee, also retreat to the safety of their city. Joab, satisfied with the outcome, returns to Jerusalem. However, the Syrians do not give up easily; they summon reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River, led by Shophach, showing their determination to recover from the initial defeat and continue the conflict.
1 Chronicles 19:17 (NKJV)
17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan, and came upon them, and set up in battle array against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
Upon hearing of the Syrian reinforcements, David himself leads the entire Israelite army across the Jordan River to confront them. David’s direct involvement in this second battle reflects the seriousness of the threat posed by the Syrians, as he prepares for another confrontation.
1 Chronicles 19:18 (NKJV)
18 Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven thousand charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians, and killed Shophach the commander of the army.
David decisively defeats the Syrian forces, killing thousands of soldiers, including their commander Shophach. This crushing victory demonstrates Israel’s military dominance and the futility of Syria’s resistance against David’s army, solidifying Israel’s power in the region.
1 Chronicles 19:19 (NKJV)
19 And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.
After their defeat, the Syrians submit to David’s authority, making peace and becoming his vassals. This marks the end of Syrian support for the Ammonites, leaving Ammon isolated and weakened. David’s victory not only secures peace with Syria but also ensures that Ammon will no longer have strong allies to oppose Israel.