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1 Chronicles 20:1-3

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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.

1 Chronicles 20:1-3 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 20:1

Theological / Devotional

Came to pass. Chapter 20 deals with the completion of the Ammonite campaign (verses 1-3), and with exploits of certain Israelite heroes against Philistine giants (verses 4-8). For the parallel account, see on 2 Samuel 11:1 ; 12:26, 30, 31; 21:18-22.

After the year was expired. Literally, “at the time of the return of the year.” This was the spring of the year. It was at that season that armies regularly went forth to battle. The rainy winter season was not suitable for military operations. But with spring the rains ceased and the harvests ripened, providing invading armies with food. Assyrian records show that it was a regular practice for armies to go forth on their campaigns in the month of Nisan. Nisan was the first month of the Assyrian and Babylonian year, the first month of the Hebrew religious year (see Exodus 12:2; Deuteronomy 16:1 [called Abib]; Esther 3:7), and probably the first month of the civil year in the northern nation of Israel after the disruption. Judah began its civil year with Tishri (the 7th month), in the autumn. On the two beginnings of the year, see Vol. II, pp. 109-111, 116.

Tarried at Jerusalem. In Samuel the account continues from this point with the narrative of David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:2—27).

Joab smote Rabbah. At the climax of the siege Joab called for David to come and effect the final capture (see on 2 Samuel 12:27-29).

By SdaBc