King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 19:6 Mean?

1 Chronicles 19:6 in the King James Version says “And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a... — study this verse from 1 Chronicles chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah , and out of Zobah. odious: Heb. to stink

1 Chronicles 19:6 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah , and out of Zobah. odious: Heb. to stink

7

So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

8

And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.


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 · 25 words
וַיִּרְאוּ֙1 of 25

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וּבְנֵ֨י2 of 25

And when 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

עַמּ֜וֹן3 of 25

of Ammon

H5983

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

כִּ֥י4 of 25
H3588

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

הִֽתְבָּאֲשׁ֖וּ5 of 25

that they had made themselves odious

H887

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

עִם6 of 25
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

דָּוִ֑יד7 of 25

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח8 of 25

sent

H7971

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

חָ֠נוּן9 of 25

Hanun

H2586

chanun, the name of an ammonite and of two israelites

וּבְנֵ֨י10 of 25

And when 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

עַמּ֜וֹן11 of 25

of Ammon

H5983

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

אֶ֣לֶף12 of 25

a thousand

H505

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

כִּכַּר13 of 25

talents

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

כֶּ֗סֶף14 of 25

of silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לִשְׂכֹּ֣ר15 of 25

to hire

H7936

to hire

לָ֠הֶם16 of 25
H0
מִן17 of 25
H4480

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

אֲרַ֨ם18 of 25
H0
נַֽהֲרַ֜יִם19 of 25

out of Mesopotamia

H763

aram of (the) two rivers (euphrates and tigris) or mesopotamia

וּמִן20 of 25
H4480

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

אֲרַ֤ם21 of 25

and out of Syriamaachah

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

מַֽעֲכָה֙22 of 25
H4601

maakah (or maakath), the name of a place in syria, also of a mesopotamian, of three israelites, and of four israelitesses and one syrian woman

וּמִצּוֹבָ֔ה23 of 25

and out of Zobah

H6678

zoba or zobah, a region of syria

רֶ֖כֶב24 of 25

them chariots

H7393

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

וּפָֽרָשִֽׁים׃25 of 25

and 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


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 19:6 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 19:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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