What number verse is 1 Chronicles 18:5 in the Bible?

1 Chronicles 18:5 is the 10,896th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 1 Chronicles 18:5 sits at position 10,896.

Translation

King James Version

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And when the Syrians ^H758 of Damascus ^H1834 came ^H935 to help ^H5826 Hadarezer ^H1928 king ^H4428 of Zobah ^H6678, David ^H1732 slew ^H5221 of the Syrians ^H758 two ^H8147 and twenty ^H6242 thousand ^H505 men ^H376.

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Complete Jewish Bible

When the people of Aram from Dammesek came to the aid of Hadar'ezer king of Tzovah, David killed 22,000 men of Aram.

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Berean Standard Bible

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand men.

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American Standard Version

And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadarezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

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World English Bible Messianic

When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

Then came the Aramites of Damascus to succour Hadarezer King of Zobah, but Dauid slewe of the Aramites two and twentie thousand.

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Young's Literal Translation

And Aram of Damascus cometh in to give help to Hadarezer king of Zobah, and David smiteth in Aram twenty and two thousand men,

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

1 Chronicles 18:5 records a decisive moment in King David's reign, showcasing his divinely-empowered military might and the expansion of Israel's dominion. After David's initial victory over Hadarezer, king of Zobah, the Syrians of Damascus intervened to aid their ally. However, David met this new threat with overwhelming force, inflicting a devastating defeat upon the Damascene army, slaying twenty-two thousand of their men. This triumph not only secured David's prior gains but also solidified his regional supremacy, serving as a powerful testament to God's unwavering favor upon His anointed king.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within 1 Chronicles 18, a chapter meticulously detailing King David's significant military campaigns and the consolidation of his kingdom. The Chronicler's primary aim in this section is to highlight God's faithfulness in establishing David's throne and expanding Israel's territory, setting the stage for the peaceful reign of Solomon and the construction of the Temple. The narrative of 1 Chronicles 18:5 directly follows David's initial victory over Hadarezer, king of Zobah, as recounted in 1 Chronicles 18:3, demonstrating the immediate geopolitical repercussions of David's ascendance. The intervention of the Damascene Syrians underscores the regional powers' attempt to counter David's rising influence, making his subsequent victory all the more significant. This account closely parallels the narrative found in 2 Samuel 8:5, affirming its historical weight and theological importance within the broader biblical narrative of God's work through His chosen king.
Historical & Cultural Context: The ancient Near East was a dynamic landscape of competing city-states and regional kingdoms, constantly engaged in struggles for dominance, control of trade routes, and access to vital resources. Zobah, an influential Aramean (Syrian) kingdom, and Damascus, a major commercial and political hub, represented formidable powers in the region. The act of the Syrians of Damascus coming to "help Hadarezer" was a common practice of forming strategic alliances to counter a perceived threat or to re-establish a balance of power. David's military campaigns were not arbitrary acts of aggression but calculated maneuvers to secure Israel's borders, control strategic territories, and fulfill the territorial promises made to Abraham and his descendants. His decisive defeat of these powerful Aramean forces marked a pivotal shift in the regional power dynamics, firmly establishing Israel as a dominant force and laying the groundwork for the extensive empire that Solomon would later inherit. This era was defined by constant warfare, where military strength and strategic alliances were paramount for a nation's survival and prosperity.
Key Themes: The central theme permeating 1 Chronicles 18, and particularly evident in this verse, is the Divine Favor and Preservation bestowed upon King David. The Chronicler consistently emphasizes that David's military successes are not solely due to his strategic genius but are a direct result of the Lord's active hand, as explicitly stated in 1 Chronicles 18:6. This highlights God's ongoing involvement in establishing and protecting His chosen king and His people. Another crucial theme is the Expansion and Security of the Kingdom of Israel. David's victories, including this one over the Syrians, were instrumental in securing Israel's borders, expanding its influence, and fulfilling the covenant promises of land and dominion. This military success created the necessary conditions for the subsequent peace and prosperity during Solomon's reign. Furthermore, the narrative underscores the Futility of Opposition to God's Anointed, demonstrating that any resistance to God's plan and His chosen instruments will ultimately fail. Those who stood against David, and by extension against God's will, faced overwhelming defeat. While divine aid is paramount, the verse also implicitly affirms David's Strategic Leadership and Military Prowess, showcasing his ability to lead his army to decisive victories against significant regional adversaries.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

David (Hebrew, Dâvid', H1732): Meaning "loving," this name identifies the central figure of the narrative. As the anointed king of Israel, David's actions in this verse are presented as divinely sanctioned and empowered. His personal involvement in the battle, leading to such a decisive victory, underscores his role as God's chosen instrument for establishing and expanding the kingdom. The Chronicler consistently portrays David as the faithful servant through whom God's purposes are realized.
slew (Hebrew, nâkâh', H5221): A primitive root meaning "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)." In this military context, nâkâh signifies a decisive and lethal blow, indicating a complete defeat and destruction of the enemy forces. The use of this strong verb emphasizes the overwhelming nature of David's victory, portraying it not as a minor skirmish but as a devastating rout that incapacitated the Damascene army. It highlights the finality and totality of the defeat inflicted upon the Syrians.
men (Hebrew, ʼîysh', H376): Meaning "a man as an individual or a male person." The mention of "men" in the phrase "two and twenty thousand men" emphasizes the human cost and the significant loss of life for the Damascene forces. While the number itself conveys magnitude, the term "men" personalizes the impact of the defeat, highlighting that a substantial portion of their fighting force was annihilated. This detail underscores the severity of the blow and the comprehensive nature of David's victory.

Verse Breakdown

"And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah,": This opening clause establishes the critical context for the conflict. David's previous victory over Hadarezer, king of Zobah, as detailed in 1 Chronicles 18:3, provoked a powerful regional response. Damascus, a formidable Aramean kingdom, allied itself with Zobah, indicating the perceived threat David posed to the existing power structures. Their intervention was a deliberate attempt to reverse David's gains and restore their regional dominance.
"David slew of the Syrians": This phrase directly attributes the decisive action to King David. As God's anointed leader and military commander, David personally led his forces to confront and overcome this formidable new enemy. The Chronicler emphasizes David's direct agency, portraying him as the instrument through whom God's purposes were achieved, highlighting both his leadership and the effectiveness of the Israelite army under divine guidance.
"two and twenty thousand men.": This concluding phrase quantifies the devastating outcome of the battle. The precise figure of twenty-two thousand men signifies a catastrophic loss for the Damascene forces, effectively neutralizing their threat and securing David's control over the region. This large number underscores the decisive nature of David's victory, solidifying his reputation and firmly establishing Israel's dominance in the ancient Near East.

Literary Devices

The Chronicler masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify the impact of this verse. Numerical Significance is prominently featured with the precise figure of "two and twenty thousand men," serving to underscore the overwhelming scale of David's victory and the devastating blow inflicted upon the Syrians. This large number functions as a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the completeness of the defeat and the futility of opposing David, who is clearly portrayed as divinely favored. While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the broader narrative of 1 Chronicles 18, particularly 1 Chronicles 18:6, uses Divine Agency as a pervasive theme, implying that David's military success is ultimately God's work accomplished through him. The concise and declarative nature of the statement "David slew of the Syrians" also contributes to a sense of Clarity and Decisiveness, leaving no ambiguity about the outcome of the confrontation.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This verse powerfully illustrates the theological principle that God actively fights for His people and establishes His anointed king. David's consistent victories are not merely a testament to his military genius but to the Lord's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Just as God promised to be with David and establish his kingdom (as seen in 1 Chronicles 17), so He actively intervenes to grant him victory over formidable adversaries. This passage reinforces the profound truth that when God is on one's side, no opposition, however strong or numerous, can ultimately prevail. It is a compelling demonstration of divine sovereignty in human affairs and the outworking of God's redemptive plan through His chosen instruments, ensuring the security and expansion of His kingdom on earth.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The account of David's decisive victory over the Syrians of Damascus offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. Just as David faced unexpected and formidable opposition even after initial successes, we too will inevitably encounter fresh challenges and adversaries in our lives—be they spiritual battles, relational conflicts, or circumstantial difficulties. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate victory does not depend on our own strength, strategic brilliance, or numerical superiority, but on the unfailing favor and omnipotent power of God. When we walk in obedience to His will and trust in His divine leading, we can rest assured that He will preserve us and grant us triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds. It calls us to cultivate a deep and abiding reliance on divine assistance, recognizing that God is our strength in battle, enabling us to overcome obstacles and fulfill the purposes He has set before us. Our faith should be firmly placed in the God who fights for us, transforming potential defeats into powerful testimonies of His faithfulness and sovereign might.

Questions for Reflection

How does David's consistent reliance on God in battle encourage us to face our own challenges and adversaries today?
What "Syrians of Damascus" (unexpected or formidable opposition) might you be facing in your life, and how can you apply the principle of divine favor to them?
In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust God for a decisive victory, rather than relying solely on your own efforts?

FAQ

Is the number 22,000 men a literal count, or is it symbolic?

Answer: The number 22,000, which is also found in the parallel account in 2 Samuel 8:5, is generally understood to represent a substantial and devastating loss for the Damascene forces. While ancient numerical figures in historical accounts can sometimes be round numbers or emphasize the magnitude rather than a precise census, the consistency between Chronicles and Samuel suggests it was a significant and recorded event. The primary theological point conveyed by the Chronicler is the decisiveness of David's victory and the overwhelming power of God at work through him, rather than a precise military tally. It signifies a crippling blow to the Syrian army, solidifying David's regional dominance and demonstrating the futility of opposing God's anointed king.

Why does the Chronicler emphasize David's military victories so heavily in this section?

Answer: The Chronicler's focus on David's military victories, particularly in 1 Chronicles 18, serves several crucial theological and historical purposes. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant, where God promised to establish David's kingdom and dynasty forever (1 Chronicles 17). These victories show God actively fulfilling His promises. Secondly, they establish the legitimacy, power, and security of the Davidic monarchy, providing a stable foundation for the nation of Israel. Thirdly, these conquests secured the borders and resources necessary for the subsequent peace and prosperity under Solomon, enabling the construction of the Temple, which is a central theme for the Chronicler. The military success is presented as a divine prerequisite for the spiritual flourishing and worship centered in Jerusalem, emphasizing that God's plan for His people's well-being includes both physical security and spiritual devotion.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

David's victory over the Syrians of Damascus, a powerful and unexpected adversary, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and decisive triumph of Jesus Christ. David, as God's anointed king, was an earthly type of the greater King, Jesus, who would come not to conquer physical kingdoms with a sword, but to establish an eternal spiritual kingdom. Just as David met and overcame formidable opposition, Christ faced the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of darkness. His victory was not achieved through military might but through His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, triumphing over all principalities and powers, disarming them, and leading them as captives in His train (Colossians 2:15). The "two and twenty thousand men" slain by David pale in comparison to the countless souls set free from spiritual bondage by Christ's singular, all-sufficient victory. He is the true Victorious King, who has overcome the world (John 16:33), and who will one day return as the Rider on the white horse, executing righteous judgment and reigning supreme over all creation (Revelation 19:11-16). David's historical triumph points us to the eternal triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all God's promises find their ultimate and glorious fulfillment.

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Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18 verses 1–8

1 ¶ Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

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.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

After this, it is said (Ch1 18:1), David did those great exploits. After the sweet communion he had had with God by the word and prayer, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, he went on his work with extraordinary vigour and courage, conquering and to conquer. Thus Jacob, after his vision, lifted up his feet, Gen 29:1.

We have taken a view of these victories before, and shall now only observe, 1. Those that have been long enemies to the Israel of God will be brought down at last. The Philistines had, for several generations, been vexatious to Israel, but now David subdued them, Ch1 18:1. Thus shall all opposing rule, principality, and power, be, at the end of time, put down by the Son of David, and the most inveterate enemies shall fall before him. 2. Such is the uncertainty of this world that frequently men lose their wealth and power when they think to confirm it. Hadarezer was smitten as he went to establish his dominion, Ch1 18:3. 3. A horse is a vain thing for safety, so David said (Psa 33:17), and it seems he believed what he said, for he houghed the chariot-horses, Ch1 18:4. Being resolved not to trust to them (Psa 20:7), he would not use them. 4. The enemies of God's church are often made to ruin themselves by helping one another, Ch1 18:5. The Syrians of Damascus were smitten when they came to help Hadarezer. When hand thus joins in hand they shall not only not go unpunished, but thereby they shall be gathered as the sheaves into the floor, Mic 4:11, Mic 4:12. 5. The wealth of the sinner sometimes proves to have been laid up for the just. The Syrians brought gifts, Ch1 18:6. Their shields of gold and their brass were brought to Jerusalem, Ch1 18:7, Ch1 18:8. As the tabernacle was built of the spoils of the Egyptians, so the temple of the spoils of other Gentile nations, a happy presage of the interest the Gentiles should have in the gospel church.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

1 Chronicles 19:6
¶ 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.
2 Samuel 8:5
And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
2 Samuel 8:6
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
1 Chronicles 18:3
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
1 Samuel 14:47
¶ So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
1 Kings 11:23
And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
1 Kings 11:24
And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.