1 Chronicles 20:1

Translations

Modern

In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And it happened, at the time of the return of the year, at the time of the going out of the kings, that Joab led out the force of the host and destroyed the land of the sons of Ammon, and he came in and besieged Rabbah. And David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.

Latin

Factum est autem post anni circulum, eo tempore quo solent reges ad bella procedere, congregavit Joab exercitum, et robur militiæ, et vastavit terram filiorum Ammon: perrexitque et obsedit Rabba. Porro David manebat in Jerusalem, quando Joab percussit Rabba et destruxit eam.

Original

Hebrew

English

In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.

Notes

1 Chronicles 20:1–3

This war against the Ammonites happened during David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2–12:25), which the Chronicler does not mention.

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 Joab Moab and Ammon

Related verses

2 Samuel 12:26–31
Meanwhile, Joab fought against Rabbah of the Ammonites and captured the royal fortress.
2 Samuel 11:1
In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og king of Bashan had remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed of iron, nine cubits long and four cubits wide, is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)
Jeremiah 49:2–3
Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD.
Amos 1:14
So I will kindle a fire in the walls of Rabbah to consume its citadels amid war cries on the day of battle and a violent wind on the day of tempest.
2 Samuel 11:16–25
So as Joab besieged the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers were.
Isaiah 6:11
Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,
2 Samuel 17:27
When David came to Mahanaim, he was met by Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Machir son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim.
1 Kings 20:22
Afterward, the prophet approached the king of Israel and said, “Go and strengthen your position, and take note what you must do, for in the spring the king of Aram will come up against you.”
1 Kings 20:26
In the spring, Ben-hadad mobilized the Arameans and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel.
2 Kings 13:20
And Elisha died and was buried. Now the Moabite raiders used to come into the land every spring.
Isaiah 54:16
Behold, I have created the craftsman who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its task; and I have created the destroyer to wreak havoc.

Parallels

2 Samuel 12:26–31

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Joab: Son of Zeruiah, commander of David's army

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Hanun Rephaim

Topics

Ammonites: Defeated by the Israelites Armies: March in Ranks: Unusual Winter Campaign Joab: Son of David's Sister: Captures Rabbah Rabbah: Also Called Rabbath: Captured by David

1 Chronicles 20:1

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