1 Chronicles 5:22

For there fell down many slain, because the war [was] of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.

For there fell {H5307} down many {H7227} slain {H2491}, because the war {H4421} was of God {H430}. And they dwelt {H3427} in their steads until the captivity {H1473}.

Many were slaughtered, because the war was of God, and they lived in their territory until the captivity.

and many others fell slain, because the battle belonged to God. And they occupied the land until the exile.

For there fell many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their stead until the captivity.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

First Chronicles 5:22 is situated within the genealogies and historical accounts of the Transjordanian tribes: Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. These tribes settled east of the Jordan River, and the preceding verses (1 Chronicles 5:18-21) describe their military strength and a significant conflict with the Hagarites and their allies. This battle was crucial for securing their territory and resources. The Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic audience, emphasizes God's direct involvement in the nation of Israel's affairs, particularly in their military engagements, serving to remind them of God's faithfulness and their ancestors' reliance on Him.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty in Battle: The central message is that the victory was not merely due to the strength or skill of the Israelite tribes, but because "the war was of God." This highlights God's active participation and ultimate control over historical events and military outcomes. It underscores the biblical principle that true success comes from divine favor, not human might. The concept of God fighting for His people is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:4, "For the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."
  • Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience: The phrase "And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity" serves as a poignant historical marker. It indicates that their prosperity and occupation of the land, though divinely granted, were not permanent. This "captivity" refers to the Assyrian deportation of these northern tribes, a consequence of their later idolatry and disobedience. It subtly reminds the reader that divine blessing is often contingent on continued faithfulness. The Assyrian captivity marked a significant turning point for the northern kingdom, emphasizing the consequences of straying from God.
  • God's Faithfulness to His Covenant: Despite the eventual captivity, the initial victory demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant people when they sought Him and obeyed. The success against the Hagarites was a testament to God fulfilling His promises to grant them land and victory over their enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the war [was] of God" (Hebrew: ืžึตืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื ื”ึทืžึผึดืœึฐื—ึธืžึธื” - mรช'elohรฎm hammilแธฅฤmรข) literally translates to "the war from God" or "the war belonging to God." The preposition min (ืžึดืŸ), here translated as "of," conveys origin or source. This emphasizes that the war's initiation, its power, and its outcome were divinely sourced, not merely human endeavors. It is not just that God was on their side, but that the entire conflict was orchestrated by Him, granting the decisive victory.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 5:22 offers several profound lessons:

  • Reliance on God: When facing personal struggles, challenges, or "battles" in life, this verse encourages us to recognize that true victory comes not from our own strength or strategies alone, but from God's intervention and empowerment. We are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart, acknowledging His sovereignty in all circumstances.
  • Understanding Divine Purpose: It reminds us that even difficult situations or conflicts can be part of God's larger plan, working for His purposes and glory. When God is "in" a situation, His power is evident.
  • The Importance of Faithfulness: The mention of "captivity" serves as a sober reminder that blessings and prosperity are often tied to continued faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. While God's character is unchanging, the experience of His blessings can be impacted by our choices.
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 Chronicles 32:8

    With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

  • Joshua 23:10

    One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

  • Romans 8:31

    ยถ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • 2 Kings 15:29

    In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.

  • 2 Kings 17:6

    In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

  • 1 Chronicles 6:26

    [As for] Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son,

  • 1 Chronicles 4:41

    And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because [there was] pasture there for their flocks.
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