King James Version
What Does 1 Chronicles 18:6 Mean?
“Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus ; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.”
Context
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.
7
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8
Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass. Tibhath: called in the book of Samuel Betah, and Berothai
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(6) **Put garrisons.**—The noun here omitted in the Hebrew, probably by an oversight, occurs in Samuel. In 1Chronicles 11:16 and 2Chronicles 17:2 it means “out post,” or “garrison;” in 1Kings 4:19, “prefects,” or “pashas.” The Targum of Samuel gives *strategi, *“generals;” Syriac and Arabic, “prefects” and “collectors;” LXX. and Vulg., “garrison.” The Arabic here has “collectors and guards;” the Syriac, “commanders.”
**Syria-damascus.**—*Aram of Damascus* (1Chronicles 18:5). (Comp. 1Chronicles 18:2 for the next clause.)
**David’s servants.**—*To David servants*—the order in Samuel.
**Thus.**—*And.*
**Preserved.**—Made victorious.
**Preserved David.**—Samuel has *‘eth-David—i.e., *the simple accusative; Chronicles, *le-David,* a late construction.
**Whithersoever he went.**—Same phrase as in 1Chronicles 17:6; 1Chronicles 17:8.
**Shields.**—*Shiltê.* Probably “armour” or “arms.” (Comp. 2Kings 11:10; 2Chronicles 23:9, “the spears, and the shields, and the *sh’lātîm;* “Ezekiel 27:11; Song of Solomon 4:4; Jeremiah 51:11, “quivers.”) LXX. here, “golden collars” (Samuel, “bracelets”); Syriac and Arabic, “golden plates which hung on the horses;” Vulg., “quivers (Samuel, “golden arms”).
Hadadezer was not dethroned, but became **a** vassal king.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 18:6 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 18:6
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge