Keraia
2 Samuel 12

2 Samuel 12:30

The Capture of Rabbah · 2 Samuel 12:26–31
Read 2 Samuel 12

Translations

Modern
Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.
Traditional
And he took their king’s crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David’s head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
Literal
And he took the crown of their king from his head, and its weight was a talent of gold, with precious stones; and it was set on the head of David, and the plunder of the city he brought out in great abundance.
Latin
Et tulit diadema regis eorum de capite ejus, pondo auri talentum, habens gemmas pretiosissimas: et impositum est super caput David. Sed et prædam civitatis asportavit multam valde:

Original

Hebrew
English
Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

Notes

2 Samuel 12:30

  • he took the crown: By taking the crown, David effectively showed that he now ruled over the Ammonites, as if he had become their king.

  • a great amount of plunder: The law warned Israel not to take certain kinds of war booty during conquest because of its danger (Deuteronomy 7:25–26). The wealth David took was dangerous. Riches could turn his heart away from God if he trusted them instead of the Lord.

2 Samuel 12:26–31

David's fight with the Ammonites, which began in 2 Samuel 10, ended in success.

2 Samuel 12:1–31

Chapter 12 expands on the final part of 2 Samuel 11:27.

Theme notes and profiles

David Hittites Dealing with Conflict

Events

Measurements

  • a talent of gold: About 75.4 lb (34.2 kg)

Parallels

1 Chronicles 20:1–3

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Crown David Hanun Hittites Joab King Kings, Books of First and Second Milcom Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Ammonites: Defeated by the Israelites Crown: Set with Gems Crown: Worn by Kings David: King of Israel: Ammonites Defeated and Tortured Gold was Used for Crowns King: Plunder Precious Stones used for Ornamenting Royal Crowns Rabbah: Also Called Rabbath: Captured by David Stones: Precious in the Crowns of Kings The Ammonites: The Royal Treasure of, Taken Weights: Talent