King James Version

What Does 1 Chronicles 20:1 Mean?

“And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it. after: Heb. at the return of the year”

Context

And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it. after: Heb. at the return of the year

And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David's head: and he brought also exceeding much spoil out of the city. to weigh: Heb. the weight of

And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

Read full chapter →

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **After the year was expired.**—Heb., *at the time of the return of the year: i.e.,* in spring. (See 1Kings 20:22; 1Kings 20:26.) **At the time that kings go** **out.**—See 1Kings 20:16. Military operations were commonly suspended during winter. The Assyrian kings have chronicled their habit of making yearly expeditions of conquest and plunder. It was exceptional for the king to “remain in the country.” **Joab led forth the power of the army.**—Samuel gives details: “David sent Joab and his servants (? the contingents of tributaries, 1Chronicles 19:19), and all Israel” (i.e., the entire national array). **Wasted the country.**—An explanation of Samuel: “wasted the sons of Ammon.” **Rabbah,** or Rabbath Ammon, the capital. (See 2Samuel 11:1; Amos 1:14; Jeremiah 49:2-3.) **But David tarried** (Heb., *was tarrying*) **at Jerusalem.**—While Joab’s campaign was in progress-In 2Samuel 11:1 this remark prepares the way for the account which there follows of David’s temptation and fall. **And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it.**—A brief statement, summarizing the events related in 2Samuel 11:27-27. From that passage we learn that, after an assault which doubtless reduced the defenders to the last stage of weakness, Joab sent a message to David at Jerusalem to come and appropriate the honours of the capture. Our 1Chronicles 20:2, which abruptly introduces David himself as present at Rabbah, obviously implies a knowledge of the narrative as it is told in Samuel, and would hardly be intelligible without it. Whether the chronicler here and elsewhere borrows directly from Samuel, or from another document depending ultimately on the same original as Samuel, cannot certainly be decided.

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 20:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.