1 Chronicles 18:9

KJV

¶ Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

KJV (with Strong's)

Now when Tou {H8583} king {H4428} of Hamath {H2574} heard {H8085} how David {H1732} had smitten {H5221} all the host {H2428} of Hadarezer {H1928} king {H4428} of Zobah {H6678};

Complete Jewish Bible

When To'u king of Hamat heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadar'ezer king of Tzovah,

Berean Standard Bible

When King Tou of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer king of Zobah,

American Standard Version

And when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 18:9 records the far-reaching impact of King David's decisive military victory over Hadarezer, king of Zobah. The verse specifically notes that Tou, the king of Hamath, heard of David's triumph, highlighting David's rapidly growing reputation and influence as a dominant regional power. This news sets the stage for a diplomatic encounter, demonstrating how David's divinely-blessed military successes were establishing the security and prestige of his kingdom across the ancient Near East.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a broader narrative of David's military campaigns and the consolidation of his kingdom, primarily covered in [1 Chronicles 18](/1_chronicles/18 "1 Chronicles 18 - David's Victories and Dominion"). Immediately preceding [1 Chronicles 18:9](/1_chronicles/18-9 "1 Chronicles 18:9 - Tou Hears of David's Victory"), verses [1 Chronicles 18:3-8](/1_chronicles/18-3 "1 Chronicles 18:3-8 - David Defeats Hadarezer") detail David's comprehensive defeat of Hadarezer, king of Zobah, a significant regional power. This victory extended David's dominion to the Euphrates River and resulted in the capture of vast spoils, including chariots, horses, and immense quantities of bronze. The Chronicler emphasizes God's hand in these victories, often concluding sections with phrases like "the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went" ([1 Chronicles 18:6](/1_chronicles/18-6 "1 Chronicles 18:6 - The Lord Gave David Victory")). The news reaching Tou of Hamath in [1 Chronicles 18:9](/1_chronicles/18-9 "1 Chronicles 18:9 - Tou Hears of David's Victory") directly follows this account of Hadarezer's defeat, serving as a narrative bridge to the subsequent diplomatic overtures from Hamath. This passage parallels [2 Samuel 8:9-10](/2_samuel/8-9 "2 Samuel 8:9-10 - Toi's Tribute to David"), underscoring its historical significance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was a complex geopolitical landscape characterized by shifting alliances, military conquests, and the rise and fall of regional powers. Zobah, located in Aram (Syria), was a formidable kingdom, and its defeat by David marked a significant shift in the balance of power. Hamath, situated further north on the Orontes River, was another important Aramaean city-state. For a king like Tou (or Toi in 2 Samuel) to hear of David's victory over a powerful neighbor like Hadarezer would have been a matter of strategic urgency. In this period, news of major military defeats spread quickly through trade routes and diplomatic channels. Kings often responded to such shifts by either forming alliances to counter the rising power or by seeking peaceful relations and tribute to avoid conflict, as Tou does in the subsequent verses. David's expansion into this region fulfilled, in part, the promises of the land made to Abraham, extending Israel's influence towards the Euphrates, a traditional boundary of the promised land (cf. [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Covenant with Abraham")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Chronicles. Firstly, it highlights **David's growing power and reputation** as a divinely appointed king. His military successes are not merely conquests but demonstrations of God's favor, establishing him as a dominant force in the region. The fact that a distant king like Tou takes notice underscores David's burgeoning international standing. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Blessing and Fulfillment of Covenant**. David's victories are consistently attributed to God's active presence and blessing, fulfilling the promises made to him in the Davidic Covenant (see [1 Chronicles 17:11-14](/1_chronicles/17-11 "1 Chronicles 17:11-14 - God's Covenant with David")). This divine backing instills both fear and respect in David's adversaries and potential allies. Lastly, the verse introduces the theme of **Diplomacy and Strategic Alliances**. Tou's reaction, which is further elaborated in the subsequent verses ([1 Chronicles 18:10-11](/1_chronicles/18-10 "1 Chronicles 18:10-11 - Tou's Tribute to David")), is not one of hostility but of seeking peace and alliance. This demonstrates how David's military strength, empowered by God, allowed him to secure diplomatic advantages, expanding his influence and securing his borders without further conflict.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smitten (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** The KJV phrase "had smitten" translates the Hebrew verb נָכָה (_nakah_), which fundamentally means 'to strike,' 'to hit,' or 'to smite.' In military contexts, as it is used here, _nakah_ denotes a decisive and often devastating defeat. It conveys the totality of David's victory over Hadarezer's forces, indicating not just a skirmish but a complete rout. The use of the pluperfect "had smitten" emphasizes that this was a completed action, the news of which was now reverberating across the region.
* **Host (Hebrew, _tsava'_):** The word "host" translates the Hebrew צָבָא (_tsava'_), which refers to an army, a military force, or a multitude. Here, "all the host" emphasizes the entirety of Hadarezer's military might. It suggests that David's victory was not partial but absolute, encompassing the complete destruction or subjugation of Hadarezer's entire fighting force. This total defeat is precisely why the news would be so impactful and alarming to neighboring kings like Tou.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when Tou king of Hamath heard":** This opening clause immediately establishes the ripple effect of David's victory. Tou, as the king of Hamath, a significant city-state in northern Syria, represents a distant but important political entity. The act of "hearing" implies that the news of David's triumph was not confined to the immediate vicinity but had spread across significant geographical distances, demonstrating the scale and notoriety of David's achievement.
* **"how David had smitten":** This phrase directly attributes the decisive military action to David. The verb "smitten" (as discussed above) signifies a complete and devastating defeat. The focus is on David's agency as the instrument of God's power, highlighting his role as a formidable warrior-king.
* **"all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;":** This final clause specifies the target and extent of David's victory. Hadarezer, king of Zobah, was a powerful Aramaean ruler whose defeat would have sent shockwaves through the region. The phrase "all the host" underscores the totality of the defeat, indicating that Hadarezer's entire military strength was neutralized. This comprehensive victory is the precise reason for Tou's concern and subsequent diplomatic action.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices to convey its message. **Cause and Effect** is central, as David's decisive victory (the cause) directly leads to Tou's hearing of it and subsequent diplomatic response (the effect). The phrase "all the host" could be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the completeness of the victory, even if not every single soldier was literally annihilated. This serves to magnify David's power and the scale of his achievement. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Tou's act of hearing sets the stage for the diplomatic mission described in the following verses ([1 Chronicles 18:10-11](/1_chronicles/18-10 "1 Chronicles 18:10-11 - Tou's Tribute to David")), where he sends his son to congratulate David and offer tribute. This narrative technique builds anticipation and demonstrates the immediate consequences of David's actions on the broader geopolitical stage. Furthermore, the mention of specific kings and kingdoms lends a sense of **Historical Realism** to the narrative, grounding David's reign in the known geopolitical realities of the ancient Near East.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 18:9, while seemingly a straightforward historical report, carries profound theological weight. It underscores the consistent theme in Chronicles that David's successes are not merely due to his military prowess but are direct manifestations of God's covenant faithfulness and active presence with His chosen king. The news reaching Tou of Hamath is a testament to God's establishment of David's kingdom as a dominant force, fulfilling His promise to give David rest from all his enemies ([2 Samuel 7:11](/2_samuel/7-11 "God's Promise to David")). This divine backing ensured that David's reputation was not just that of a mighty warrior, but of a king blessed by Yahweh, inspiring both fear and respect among neighboring nations. The verse implicitly highlights God's sovereignty over nations, demonstrating how He raises up and brings down kingdoms, using David as His instrument to bring order and stability to His people.

* [Psalm 18:43-44](/psalms/18-43 "Psalm 18:43-44 - David's Victory and Dominion")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know That I Am God")
* [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The news of David's victory reaching Tou of Hamath serves as a powerful reminder that actions, especially those undertaken with divine backing, have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond immediate circumstances. It illustrates how God can establish a leader or a people in such a way that their reputation precedes them, opening doors for peace and influence even among those who were once adversaries or strangers. For us today, this suggests that our faithfulness and obedience to God, whether individually or corporately, can have an impact that reverberates in unexpected ways, influencing those in our spheres of influence and beyond. It encourages us to live in such a way that our "reputation" (our character and the fruit of our lives) speaks volumes, reflecting the God we serve. Just as David's kingdom was established for peace and order, our lives, when aligned with God's purposes, can be instruments of His peace and order in a chaotic world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the news of David's victory spreading to distant lands encourage you about the potential reach of God's work through His people today?**
* **In what ways might our "reputation" as followers of Christ, rooted in God's blessing, influence those around us, even those outside our immediate community?**
* **What "victories" in your life or community, however small, might God be using to send a message of His power and presence to others?**

### FAQ
**Who was Hadarezer, and why was his defeat so significant?**

Answer: Hadarezer was the powerful king of Zobah, an Aramaean kingdom located in what is modern-day Syria. His kingdom was a major regional power, controlling significant territory and resources. David's defeat of Hadarezer, as described in [1 Chronicles 18:3-8](/1_chronicles/18-3 "1 Chronicles 18:3-8 - David Defeats Hadarezer"), was significant because it eliminated a formidable adversary, extended Israel's dominion to the Euphrates River, secured vital trade routes, and brought immense wealth into David's treasury. This victory solidified David's position as the dominant force in the Levant and demonstrated God's faithfulness in granting him rest from his enemies, establishing peace and security for Israel.

**Who was Tou, king of Hamath, and what was his reaction to the news?**

Answer: Tou (also known as Toi in the parallel account in [2 Samuel 8:9-10](/2_samuel/8-9 "2 Samuel 8:9-10 - Toi's Tribute to David")) was the king of Hamath, another important Aramaean city-state located north of Zobah. Hamath had likely been an enemy or rival of Zobah. Upon hearing of David's decisive victory over Hadarezer, Tou's reaction was not one of hostility but of seeking peaceful relations and alliance. The subsequent verses ([1 Chronicles 18:10-11](/1_chronicles/18-10 "1 Chronicles 18:10-11 - Tou's Tribute to David")) describe him sending his son, Hadoram (or Joram), with gifts of gold, silver, and bronze to congratulate David and establish a friendly relationship. This diplomatic overture highlights David's growing reputation and the strategic advantages his military successes afforded him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Chronicles 18:9 describes a historical military victory, it points forward to the ultimate and decisive victory of a greater Son of David, Jesus Christ. David's triumph over Hadarezer established his earthly kingdom and brought a measure of peace and security to Israel, but it was a temporary and limited peace. Jesus, the true King, came not to smite earthly armies with physical weapons, but to conquer the spiritual forces of darkness and sin. His victory on the cross, where He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), was a decisive defeat of "all the host" of spiritual enemies. The news of this victory, the gospel, has spread far beyond the borders of any earthly kingdom, reaching "to the end of the earth" ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the End of the Earth")). Just as Tou heard of David's power and sought alliance, so too do people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")) hear of Christ's triumph and are invited to enter into a covenant of peace and reconciliation with God through Him ([2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - The Ministry of Reconciliation")). Jesus' reign is eternal, and His peace is absolute, fulfilling the shadows of David's earthly dominion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 8:9

¶ When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer,