1 Chronicles 4:43

KJV

And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelt there unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they smote {H5221} the rest {H7611} of the Amalekites {H6002} that were escaped {H6413}, and dwelt {H3427} there unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They attacked the remnant of 'Amalek who had escaped and have lived there to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

and struck down the remnant of the Amalekites who had escaped. And they have lived there to this day.

American Standard Version

And they smote the remnant of the Amalekites that escaped, and have dwelt there unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse concludes a specific narrative within the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, detailing the final and decisive victory of a group of Simeonites over the last remnants of the Amalekites in Mount Seir. Driven by a need for new pasturelands, these Simeonites, during the reign of King Hezekiah, conquered the territory previously inhabited by Hamites and Amalekites, thereby fulfilling a long-standing divine mandate for the eradication of this persistent enemy of Israel and establishing their permanent settlement in the region.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Chronicles 4:43 serves as the concluding statement to a unique historical vignette embedded within the extensive genealogies of the tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:24-43). The preceding verses [1 Chronicles 4:39-42](/1_chronicles/4-39 "1 Chronicles 4:39-42 - Simeonites' Migration and Conquest") describe how certain Simeonite clans, experiencing population growth and insufficient pasture for their flocks, sought new territory. They migrated westward and southward from their allotted land, first to Gedor and then to Mount Seir, where they encountered descendants of Ham and, critically, the Amalekites. This brief narrative stands out from the surrounding lists of names, highlighting a significant act of tribal expansion and the fulfillment of a divine command, thereby lending historical and theological weight to the Simeonite lineage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic people, descendants of Esau, who had a long and deeply hostile history with Israel, dating back to their unprovoked attack on the Israelites in the wilderness shortly after the Exodus [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8 - Amalek Attacks Israel"). This initial aggression led to a divine oath and a perpetual command from God for Israel to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Deuteronomy 25:19 - God's Command to Blot Out Amalek"). Despite this, King Saul later failed to completely obey this command [1 Samuel 15:3-9](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - Saul's Incomplete Obedience Regarding Amalek"), leaving remnants. The Chronicler's mention of this event occurring "in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah" [1 Chronicles 4:41](/1_chronicles/4-41 "1 Chronicles 4:41 - Simeonites in Hezekiah's Reign") places this final eradication centuries after Saul's time, underscoring the long-term nature of God's justice and the eventual fulfillment of His decrees, even through later generations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Fulfillment**, demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to execute justice against those who persistently oppose His people and His purposes. The Amalekites, as a symbol of enduring spiritual opposition, finally face their complete eradication, fulfilling a long-standing divine decree. Secondly, it showcases **God's Provision for His People**. The Simeonites' need for land and pasture is met through this conquest, illustrating God's faithfulness in providing for the practical needs of His covenant community, even leading them to expand their territory. Lastly, the phrase "unto this day" emphasizes **Historical Continuity and Permanence**, a common Chronicler's idiom that validates the enduring reality of past events for the contemporary audience, affirming the lasting impact of God's actions and the established claims of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nakah'_):** This verb signifies a decisive and forceful strike, often implying a complete defeat or destruction in a military context. Here, it conveys the thoroughness of the Simeonites' victory, leaving no doubt about the finality of the Amalekites' eradication.
* **Escaped (Hebrew, _peletah'_):** This term refers to a remnant or those who have survived. Its use here emphasizes that the Simeonites dealt with the *remaining* Amalekites, implying that previous encounters had not fully eliminated them, and this action was the final, comprehensive blow against all who had managed to evade earlier judgments.
* **Dwelt (Hebrew, _yashav'_):** This verb denotes settling, inhabiting, or taking up permanent residence. It indicates that the Simeonites did not merely pass through or raid the land, but they established a lasting presence, claiming the conquered territory as their own and integrating it into their tribal domain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they smote the rest of the Amalekites":** This clause identifies the agents ("they," referring to the Simeonites mentioned in the preceding verses) and their action (a decisive military defeat). The phrase "the rest of the Amalekites" is crucial, indicating that this act was the final chapter in the long history of conflict, targeting the surviving remnants of this ancient enemy.
* **"that were escaped":** This sub-clause further emphasizes the thoroughness of the Simeonite action. It implies that these were the last remaining individuals or groups of Amalekites who had managed to evade previous encounters or judgments, and now they too were decisively dealt with, ensuring the complete fulfillment of the divine command.
* **"and dwelt there":** This signifies the immediate and lasting consequence of the victory. The Simeonites did not just conquer; they settled and took possession of the land, fulfilling their need for pasture and establishing a permanent presence in the newly acquired territory.
* **"unto this day":** This idiomatic phrase, frequently used by biblical authors, serves as a historical marker. It affirms that the situation described – the Simeonites' occupation of the former Amalekite territory – remained true at the time the Chronicler was writing, lending credibility and enduring relevance to the historical account for his audience.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise verse. It functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, presenting the Simeonite conquest as the culmination of a long-standing divine mandate against the Amalekites, thereby bringing closure to a significant historical and theological tension in Israel's history. The phrase "**unto this day**" is a classic **Idiom** used for historical validation, asserting the permanence and enduring reality of the described event for the Chronicler's contemporary audience. There is an implicit **Contrast** with King Saul's earlier, incomplete obedience regarding the Amalekites, highlighting the eventual, albeit delayed, triumph of God's will through a different segment of His people. The entire account serves as a form of **Historical Validation**, solidifying the Simeonites' claim to this territory and demonstrating God's faithful provision and judgment across generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The eradication of the Amalekites by the Simeonites in 1 Chronicles 4:43 is more than a mere historical footnote; it is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice and His commitment to fulfilling His word. The Amalekites, from their initial unprovoked attack on a vulnerable Israel in the wilderness, represented a persistent, insidious enemy of God's people, embodying a spirit of opposition to divine purposes. Their final defeat underscores that God's judgments, though sometimes delayed, are ultimately sure and complete. This event also highlights God's faithfulness in providing for His people's needs—the Simeonites' expansion was a direct answer to their need for sustenance, demonstrating that God's provision can come through the execution of His righteous decrees.

* [Exodus 17:14](/exodus/17-14 "God's Oath Against Amalek")
* [Deuteronomy 25:19](/deuteronomy/25-19 "Command to Blot Out Amalek")
* [1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2-3 "Saul's Commission Against Amalek")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Chronicles 4:43 describes a specific historical military conquest, its spiritual lessons resonate deeply for believers today. The long delay between God's initial command to blot out Amalek and its final fulfillment by the Simeonites serves as a powerful reminder of divine patience and the certainty of God's justice, even if its full manifestation takes time. This encourages us to persevere in faith, trusting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail. Spiritually, the Amalekites can be seen as representing persistent "enemies" in our lives—entrenched sinful patterns, spiritual strongholds, or ungodly influences that seek to hinder our walk with God. Just as the Simeonites decisively "smote" the remaining Amalekites, we are called to be vigilant and persistent in dealing with spiritual opposition, seeking God's power to overcome sin and temptation. Moreover, the Simeonites' need for pasture and God's provision through conquest reminds us that God is faithful to meet our needs, often in ways that require courage, obedience, and active participation in His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the long delay in the fulfillment of God's judgment against Amalek, culminating in this verse, speak to our understanding of divine timing and justice in our own lives?**
* **What "Amalekites" (persistent sins, spiritual strongholds, or ungodly influences) might God be calling us to decisively "smite" and eradicate from our lives today?**
* **In what ways does this account encourage us to trust in God's provision, even when our current "territory" (resources, circumstances) feels insufficient or constrained?**

### FAQ
**Why is this brief account of Simeonites' conquest included in a genealogy?**

Answer: The Chronicler's purpose in including this historical vignette within the genealogies is multifaceted. It's not merely a list of names but a demonstration of God's ongoing work through His people. This account validates the Simeonites' claim to the conquered territory, showing how their need for expansion was met through divine provision and the execution of a long-standing divine judgment. It highlights the tribe's active role in fulfilling God's purposes, even if they were a lesser-known tribe compared to Judah. It also underscores the theme of God's faithfulness in bringing His decrees to pass, even generations later, providing a sense of historical continuity and divine oversight for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience.

**What is the significance of the phrase "unto this day"?**

Answer: "Unto this day" (Hebrew: _'ad hayyom hazzeh_) is a common biblical idiom used by historical writers to affirm the lasting reality or consequence of an event from the past up to the time of the narrative's composition. In [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "Simeonites Dwelling in Conquered Land"), it means that the Simeonites' permanent settlement in the former Amalekite territory remained true and observable at the time the Chronicler was writing. This phrase lends credibility and historical weight to the account, emphasizing the enduring impact of God's actions and the established territorial claims of His people.

**How does this account relate to King Saul's failure with Amalek?**

Answer: This Simeonite action is a direct echo and eventual fulfillment of the divine command given to King Saul in [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "Saul's Command to Destroy Amalek") to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Saul, however, failed to fully obey, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, which led to his rejection as king. The event in [1 Chronicles 4:43](/1_chronicles/4-43 "Simeonites' Final Act Against Amalek"), occurring centuries later during King Hezekiah's reign [1 Chronicles 4:41](/1_chronicles/4-41 "Simeonites in Hezekiah's Reign"), demonstrates that God's purposes and judgments will ultimately prevail, even if human instruments initially fail. It highlights God's sovereignty in bringing His word to pass through other means and at His appointed time, completing a long-delayed divine mandate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The historical victory of the Simeonites over the Amalekites, a long-standing enemy of God's people, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Amalekites represented a persistent, insidious foe that continually harassed Israel, humanity faces spiritual enemies in sin, death, and Satan. The decisive "smiting" of the Amalekites by the Simeonites foreshadows Christ's complete and final triumph over these spiritual adversaries. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Powers"). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and through His resurrection, He conquered death, the last enemy [1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "Death, the Last Enemy"). Where the Simeonites secured a physical land for their people, Christ secures an eternal inheritance and spiritual "rest" for all who believe in Him, fulfilling the promise of a true and lasting dwelling place [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Rest of God's People"). His victory is not merely a historical event but an ongoing reality, ensuring that the "prince of this world" is cast out [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "Judgment of This World") and that His people will ultimately dwell with Him in new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells forever [2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "New Heavens and New Earth").

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

1 Samuel 30:17

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.

1 Samuel 15:7

And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah [until] thou comest to Shur, that [is] over against Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:8

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

2 Samuel 8:12

Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

Matthew 27:8

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

2 Chronicles 5:9

And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

Judges 1:26

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which [is] the name thereof unto this day.