1 Chronicles 20:3

Translations

Modern

David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

Traditional

And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Literal

And the people who were in it he brought out, and they sawed with the saws, and with the iron picks, and with the axes. Thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And David returned, and all the people, to Jerusalem.

Latin

…populum autem, qui erat in ea, eduxit, et fecit super eos tribulas, et trahas, et ferrata carpenta transire, ita ut dissecarentur et contererentur. Sic fecit David cunctis urbibus filiorum Ammon: et reversus est cum omni populo suo in Jerusalem.

Original

Hebrew

English

David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

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 Moab and Ammon

Related verses

1 Chronicles 19:2–5
And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,
Exodus 1:14
…and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh.
1 Kings 9:21
…their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
Psalm 21:8–9
Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
Judges 8:16–17
Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth.
Judges 8:6–7
But the leaders of Succoth asked, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?”
2 Samuel 12:31
David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
Joshua 9:23
Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

Parallels

2 Samuel 12:26–31

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

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 Captive: Cruelty to Tortured Under Saws and Harrows Harrow: An Agricultural Implement Used As an Instrument of Torture Prisoners of War: Put to Death Rabbah: Also Called Rabbath: Captured by David

1 Chronicles 20:3

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