King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 19:3 Mean?

1 Chronicles 19:3 in the King James Version says “But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath se...” — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? Thinkest: Heb. In thine eyes doth David, etc”

1 Chronicles 19:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.

2

And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.

3

But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? Thinkest: Heb. In thine eyes doth David, etc

4

Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

5

Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

Read 1 Chronicles 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Theological Analysis: This passage falls within the section on Ammonite war - David's continued conquests. The Hebrew term מִלְחָמָה (milchamah) - war/battle is theologically significant here, pointing to God fights for His people. 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 fights for His people. 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: Spiritual warfare and Christ's triumph.

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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 Ammonite war - David's continued conquests 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 fights for His people challenge or affirm your current spiritual priorities and practices?
  2. What does Spiritual warfare and Christ's triumph 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 · 23 words
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֩1 of 23

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׂרֵ֨י2 of 23

“But the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

בְנֵֽי3 of 23

“of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּ֜וֹן4 of 23

“of Ammon”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

לְחָנ֗וּן5 of 23

“to Hanun”

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

הַֽמְכַבֵּ֨ד6 of 23

“doth honour”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

דָּוִ֤יד7 of 23

“thou that David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶת8 of 23
H853

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

אָבִ֙יךָ֙9 of 23

“thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ10 of 23

“Thinkest”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כִּֽי11 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁלַ֥ח12 of 23

“that he hath sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְךָ֖13 of 23
H0
מְנַֽחֲמִ֑ים14 of 23

“comforters”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

הֲלֹ֡א15 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בַּֽ֠עֲבוּר16 of 23
H5668

properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that

לַחְקֹ֨ר17 of 23

“unto thee for to search”

H2713

properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately

וְלַֽהֲפֹ֤ךְ18 of 23

“and to overthrow”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

וּלְרַגֵּל֙19 of 23

“and to spy out”

H7270

to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e., slander); to lead about

הָאָ֔רֶץ20 of 23

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בָּ֥אוּ21 of 23

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֲבָדָ֖יו22 of 23

“unto thee are not his servants”

H5650

a servant

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃23 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 19:3 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 19:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 29:4Judges 18:8-10Genesis 42:9-181 Corinthians 13:5-71 Samuel 29:9Judges 1:23-24

Places in This Verse

AmmonRegion · Modern: Amman · 31.95°N, 35.93°E106 verses across 19 books
View all places in 1 Chronicles 19 →

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