1 Chronicles 18:4

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.

And David {H1732} took {H3920} from him a thousand {H505} chariots {H7393}, and seven {H7651} thousand {H505} horsemen {H6571}, and twenty {H6242} thousand {H505} footmen {H376}{H7273}: David {H1732} also houghed {H6131} all the chariot {H7393} horses, but reserved {H3498} of them an hundred {H3967} chariots {H7393}.

David captured 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers. He reserved enough horses for 100 chariots and disabled the rest.

David captured from him a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers, and twenty thousand foot soldiers, and he hamstrung all the horses except a hundred he kept for the chariots.

And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

1 Chronicles 18:4 describes a significant action taken by King David after a decisive victory over Hadadezer, king of Zobah (mentioned in 1 Chronicles 18:3). This period marks David's consolidation of power and the expansion of his kingdom, fulfilling God's promises to establish his throne. Chariots and horsemen represented the cutting edge of ancient military technology, symbolizing immense power and mobility. To capture such a large number—a thousand chariots, seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen—underscores the magnitude of David's victory and the strength of the forces he overcame.

The act of "houghing" (or hamstringing) the horses involved severing the tendons in their legs, rendering them permanently lame and unfit for warfare. This was a common, albeit brutal, ancient military tactic used to neutralize captured enemy assets, preventing them from being re-used or posing a future threat. David's decision to reserve only one hundred chariots, while disabling the vast majority, is particularly noteworthy given the strategic value of such weaponry.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Victory and Sovereignty: This verse, following the narrative of David's conquests, highlights God's hand in granting David victory and expanding his kingdom, establishing him as a dominant regional power.
  • Strategic Disarmament: David's action of houghing the horses demonstrates a shrewd military strategy. By disarming his enemy and preventing the re-establishment of a powerful chariot force, he secured his kingdom against future attacks from this specific threat.
  • Trust in God, Not Armaments: David's decision to keep only a small number of chariots, despite capturing thousands, can be interpreted as a reflection of his reliance on God rather than on overwhelming military might. This aligns with biblical principles found elsewhere, such as Psalm 20:7, which states, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." David understood that true strength came from the Lord, not from an abundance of military hardware.

Linguistic Insights

The term "houghed" (from the Hebrew root 'aqar) means to root up, pluck up, or disable. When applied to animals, it specifically refers to cutting or hamstringing their leg tendons. This action ensures that the horses could not be used again for pulling chariots in battle, effectively eliminating them as military assets without necessarily killing every animal, though many would have been put down.

Practical Application

For believers today, this passage offers several insights:

  • Neutralizing Spiritual Threats: Just as David disarmed his physical enemies, we are called to disarm spiritual enemies. This involves identifying and neutralizing influences or habits that hinder our walk with God, rather than allowing them to linger and potentially cause future harm (Ephesians 6:11).
  • Reliance on God's Strength: David's refusal to accumulate vast numbers of chariots reminds us not to place our ultimate trust in worldly resources, power, or human ingenuity. Instead, our confidence should be in God's power and provision, knowing that He is our true defense and strength.
  • Wisdom in Victory: David's actions show that victory is not just about conquest, but also about wise stewardship and foresight in preventing future conflicts or challenges. In our own lives, this means not just overcoming a problem, but taking steps to prevent its recurrence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 8:4

    And David took from him a thousand [chariots], and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] an hundred chariots.

  • 1 Kings 4:2

    And these [were] the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,

  • Joshua 11:9

    And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

  • Psalms 33:16

    There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

  • Psalms 33:17

    An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.

  • Deuteronomy 17:16

    But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

  • Psalms 20:7

    Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
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