Thematic Bible




1 Chronicles 19:1 (show verse)

Some time later, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place.

1 Chronicles 19:2 (show verse)

Then David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.”

So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David’s emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,

1 Chronicles 19:3 (show verse)

the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, hasn’t David sent his emissaries in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?”

1 Chronicles 19:4 (show verse)

So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.

1 Chronicles 19:5 (show verse)

It was reported to David about his men, so he sent messengers to meet them, since the men were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return.”

1 Chronicles 19:6 (show verse)

When the Ammonites realized they had made themselves repulsive to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent 38 tons of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.

1 Chronicles 19:7 (show verse)

They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle.

1 Chronicles 19:8 (show verse)

David heard about this and sent Joab and the entire army of warriors.

1 Chronicles 19:9 (show verse)

The Ammonites marched out and lined up in battle formation at the entrance of the city while the kings who had come were in the field by themselves.

1 Chronicles 19:10 (show verse)

When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some men out of all the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans.

1 Chronicles 19:11 (show verse)

He placed the rest of the forces under the command of his brother Abishai, and they lined up in battle formation to engage the Ammonites.

1 Chronicles 19:12 (show verse)

“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” Joab said, “then you’ll be my help. However, if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I’ll help you.

1 Chronicles 19:13 (show verse)

Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.”

1 Chronicles 19:14 (show verse)

Joab and the people with him approached the Arameans for battle, and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:15 (show verse)

When the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they likewise fled before Joab’s brother Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab went to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:16 (show verse)

When the Arameans realized that they had been defeated by Israel, they sent messengers to summon the Arameans who were across the Euphrates. They were led by Shophach, the commander of Hadadezer’s army.

1 Chronicles 19:17 (show verse)

When this was reported to David, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan. He came up to the Arameans and lined up in battle formation against them. When David lined up to engage them in battle, they fought against him.

1 Chronicles 19:18 (show verse)

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed 7,000 of their charioteers and 40,000 foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach, commander of the army.

1 Chronicles 19:19 (show verse)

When Hadadezer’s subjects saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his subjects. After this, the Arameans were never willing to help the Ammonites again.