1 Chronicles 18:5

Translations

Modern

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men.

Traditional

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

Literal

And the Aramaeans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, and David struck down twenty-two thousand men of Aram.

Latin

Supervenit autem et Syrus Damascenus, ut auxilium præberet Adarezer regi Soba: sed et hujus percussit David viginti duo millia virorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men.

Notes

1 Chronicles 18:2–13

David conquered areas east of the Jordan River in stages. First, he took over Moab in the south, securing control of the plateau north of the Arnon River. His victory over the Aramean alliance led by Hadadezer resulted in an alliance with King Toi of Hamath, who was Hadadezer's enemy (1 Chronicles 18:9–11). After defeating Ammon and the Arameans east of the Jordan, David expanded his control over southern Edom and gained access to a southern seaport (1 Chronicles 18:12–13).

1 Chronicles 18:1–17

These war records describe how David expanded his kingdom by conquering:

They include details about David’s international relations, the treasures he gained, and the tributes he received (1 Chronicles 18:7–11). A common theme is that the Lord gave David victory wherever he went (1 Chronicles 18:6, 13).

1 Chronicles 18:1–20:8

This section tells about David's wars and military successes, showing him as a great warrior in Israel's history. It focuses on the public and political sides of David's enemies, with little about their private lives.
There are three main parts that match accounts in Samuel:
1. Battles during the kingdom's expansion (1 Chronicles 18:1–17; see 2 Samuel 8:1–16)
2. The battle against the Ammonites (1 Chronicles 19:1–20:3; see 2 Samuel 10:1–11:1; 12:30–31)
3. The deeds of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 20:4–8; see 2 Samuel 21:18–22)
Each part starts with a time transition (some time later) that loosely connects these events (1 Chronicles 18:1; 19:1; 20:4).

Theme notes and profiles

David

Related verses

2 Samuel 8:5–6
When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men.
Isaiah 8:9–10
Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered!
1 Chronicles 19:6
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah.
1 Kings 11:23–24
And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah,
1 Chronicles 18:3
As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River.
1 Samuel 14:47
After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

Parallels

2 Samuel 8:1–14 Psalm 60:1–12

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Hadadezer: King of Zobah, defeated by David

Places

Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history Syria: Ancient region north of Israel, often in conflict Zobah: An Aramean kingdom, enemy of Israel during David's reign

Glossary

Aram of Damascus Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Hadadezer History of Israel Palestine Zobah

Topics

Hadadezer: King of Zobah, Vanquished by David Moabites: David Conquers Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Aram-Zobah, Also Called, Zobah and Zoba Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: Damascus Zobah: Conquest of, by David

1 Chronicles 18:5

Translations?

Original?

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Related verses?

Parallels?