1 Chronicles20

1 Chronicles 20 details two primary military campaigns of Israel. First, Joab led the army to besiege and destroy Rabbah of the Ammonites, with David taking the king's crown and much spoil, and treating the inhabitants with severity. Following this, several wars arose with the Philistines, during which notable giants were slain by David's servants, including Sibbechai, Elhanan, and Jonathan.

David Captures Rabbah and Conquers Ammon

1
At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it. ​
2
David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set on David’s head: and he brought out the plunder of the city, exceeding much. ​
3
He brought out the people who were therein, and cut them with saws, and with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. ​

Battles Against the Philistine Giants

4
After this, there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued. ​
5
There was again war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam. ​
6
There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were twenty-four, six on each hand, and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant. ​
7
When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother killed him.
8
These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. ​

Study Notes for 1 Chronicles 20

Verse 1

This account is a highly condensed version of events found in 2 Samuel 11–12. The Chronicler focuses solely on the successful military campaign led by Joab, omitting David’s sin with Bathsheba, consistent with his goal of presenting David as an idealized king.

Verse 2

The crown’s immense weight (a talent of gold, approximately 75 pounds) suggests it was likely a ceremonial object or perhaps melted down to create a new royal crown, symbolizing the transfer of sovereignty to David.

Verse 3

The description of treating the Ammonites harshly (saws, iron harrows) is typical of ancient Near Eastern warfare. Some scholars interpret the Hebrew verb as forcing the people into heavy manual labor (e.g., quarry work) rather than literal execution, though the cruelty remains evident.

Verse 4

This section, drawn from 2 Samuel 21:18–22, shifts the focus to David’s ongoing subjugation of the Philistines. The ‘children of the giant’ (Heb. *Rephaim*) were a lineage of formidable warriors whom Israel had to defeat to secure the land.

Verse 5

This verse clarifies an ambiguity found in 2 Samuel 21:19, where Elhanan is credited with killing Goliath. The Chronicler explicitly states that Elhanan killed Lahmi, the *brother* of Goliath the Gittite, ensuring David alone receives credit for killing the famous giant.

Verse 6

This description of a giant with 24 digits (polydactyly) emphasizes his unusual and fearsome nature. The Chronicler includes these specific details to underscore the magnitude of the victories achieved by David's men.

Verse 8

The final verse summarizes the complete defeat of the Rephaim, underscoring that the giants, who had been a perennial threat to Israel, were finally eliminated through David and his loyal forces.

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