1 Chronicles 19:18

But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand [men which fought in] chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

But the Syrians {H758} fled {H5127} before {H6440} Israel {H3478}; and David {H1732} slew {H2026} of the Syrians {H758} seven {H7651} thousand {H505} men which fought in chariots {H7393}, and forty {H705} thousand {H505} footmen {H376}{H7273}, and killed {H4191} Shophach {H7780} the captain {H8269} of the host {H6635}.

But Aram fled before Isra'el; David killed 7,000 chariot-drivers and 40,000 foot soldiers from Aram; and he killed Shofakh the commander of the army.

But the Arameans fled before Israel, and David killed seven thousand of their charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophach the commander of their army.

And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 19:18 describes a decisive victory for King David and the Israelite army over their Syrian adversaries, emphasizing the scale of the defeat inflicted upon the enemy. This verse concludes the account of a major battle that solidified David's regional power.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in 1 Chronicles 19 detailing the war between David's kingdom and the Ammonites, who had allied with several Syrian states. The conflict began when Hanun, the king of Ammon, severely humiliated David's ambassadors (1 Chronicles 19:4), provoking David to war. The initial battle saw Joab defeat the combined Ammonite and Syrian forces. However, the Syrians regrouped with reinforcements under Shophach (also called Shobach in 2 Samuel 10:16), prompting David himself to lead the Israelite forces into a second, conclusive engagement.

Key Themes

  • Divine Victory: The overwhelming defeat of the Syrians, despite their formidable numbers and chariots, underscores the belief that God was fighting for Israel. This victory was not merely due to Israel's military might but seen as divine intervention on behalf of His chosen people and king.
  • David's Leadership and Prowess: David personally led the army in this crucial battle, demonstrating his strategic acumen and courage. His presence inspired the troops and secured a definitive triumph, reinforcing his authority and military reputation.
  • Consequences of Opposition: The severe losses suffered by the Syrians, including the death of their captain Shophach, illustrate the grave consequences for those who oppose God's anointed king and, by extension, God's purposes.
  • Numerical Accuracy (and Parallel Accounts): The Chronicler reports 7,000 chariots (or charioteers, as the KJV clarifies with "men which fought in chariots") and 40,000 footmen slain. The parallel account in 2 Samuel 10:18 lists 700 chariots and 40,000 horsemen. These numerical differences are often attributed to different counting methods (e.g., chariots vs. chariot teams, or different types of cavalry/infantry), or simply a focus on the grand scale of God's victory in Chronicles.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's insertion of "[men which fought in]" before "chariots" for the 7,000 is an interpretive addition to clarify the Hebrew text. The original Hebrew simply states "seven thousand chariots" (ืฉึดืื‘ึฐืขึทืช ืึฒืœึธืคึดื™ื ืจึถื›ึถื‘ - shiv'at alafim rekhev). This interpretation suggests that the number refers to the warriors associated with the chariots rather than the chariots themselves, potentially reconciling with the 700 chariots mentioned in 2 Samuel 10:18 by referring to the number of vehicles.

Practical Application

This historical account serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people and His ability to grant victory even against seemingly overwhelming odds. For believers today, it encourages trust in divine providence when facing significant challenges. It also highlights the importance of leadership that relies on God and acts with courage and integrity. Just as Davidโ€™s enemies faced the consequences of their actions, so too does pride and disrespect often lead to downfall.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 10:18

    And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew [the men of] seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach the captain of their host, who died there.

  • Psalms 18:32

    [It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

  • Psalms 46:11

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • 1 Chronicles 19:13

    Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do [that which is] good in his sight.

  • 1 Chronicles 19:14

    So Joab and the people that [were] with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.

  • Psalms 33:16

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