King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 18:4 Mean?

1 Chronicles 18:4 in the King James Version says “And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen : David also hough... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen : David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. seven: or, seven hundred

1 Chronicles 18:4 · KJV


Context

2

And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3

And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates. Hadarezer: or, Hadadezer

4

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen : David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. seven: or, seven hundred

5

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

6

Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus ; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on David's military victories - kingdom expansion. The Hebrew term יְשׁוּעָה (yeshuah) - salvation/victory is theologically significant here, pointing to God gives victory to His anointed. The Chronicler's narrative, while paralleling Samuel-Kings in places, offers a distinct theological perspective emphasizing temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Chronicles presents David not primarily as warrior-king but as worship organizer and temple planner. This verse contributes to that portrait by highlighting the spiritual dimensions of Israel's national life. The text demonstrates that true prosperity comes through proper worship and covenant obedience rather than merely military or political success.

Doctrinally, this passage teaches about God gives victory to His anointed. Cross-references throughout Chronicles connect David's reign to the broader redemptive narrative, showing how God's covenant promises advance through faithful human leadership while ultimately depending on divine grace and power. The messianic implications are profound: Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Background: This section describes events from David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE) but was written centuries later during the Persian period (c. 450-400 BCE). The Chronicler's selectivity in retelling David's story serves his theological purposes—he omits David's sins (Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion) while emphasizing David's worship reforms and temple preparations.

The historical setting of David's military victories - kingdom expansion occurred during Israel's united monarchy, when the nation reached its territorial and political zenith. Archaeological evidence from this period shows significant building projects and administrative development. However, the Chronicler writes for a much smaller, struggling post-exilic community, using David's golden age to inspire hope for restoration.

Ancient Near Eastern parallels show that temple construction and royal sponsorship of worship were common across cultures. However, Israel's understanding of worship centered on covenant relationship with the one true God rather than manipulation of capricious deities. This theological distinctiveness shapes the Chronicler's presentation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse's emphasis on God gives victory to His anointed challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan teach you about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work?
  3. In what practical ways can you apply the principles of covenant faithfulness and proper worship demonstrated in this passage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּלְכֹּד֩1 of 21

took

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

דָּוִיד֙2 of 21

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִמֶּ֜נּוּ3 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֶ֖לֶף4 of 21

from him a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

רָֽכֶב׃5 of 21

all the chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וְשִׁבְעַ֤ת6 of 21

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֶ֖לֶף7 of 21

from him a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

פָּֽרָשִׁ֔ים8 of 21

horsemen

H6571

a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry

וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים9 of 21

and twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אֶ֖לֶף10 of 21

from him a thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֣ישׁ11 of 21

footmen

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רַגְלִ֑י12 of 21
H7273

a footman (soldier)

וַיְעַקֵּ֤ר13 of 21

also houghed

H6131

to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate

דָּוִיד֙14 of 21

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת15 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל16 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רָֽכֶב׃17 of 21

all the chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וַיּוֹתֵ֥ר18 of 21

horses but reserved

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ19 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מֵ֥אָה20 of 21

of them an hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

רָֽכֶב׃21 of 21

all the chariot

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Chronicles 18:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Chronicles 18:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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