Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

1 Chronicles 18:10

Next

He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and [with him] all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

He sent {H7971} Hadoram {H1913} his son {H1121} to king {H4428} David {H1732}, to enquire {H7592} of his welfare {H7965}, and to congratulate {H1288} him, because he had fought {H3898} against Hadarezer {H1928}, and smitten {H5221} him;(for Hadarezer {H1928} had war {H376}{H4421} with Tou {H8583};) and with him all manner of vessels {H3627} of gold {H2091} and silver {H3701} and brass {H5178}.

he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet and congratulate him on fighting and defeating Hadar'ezer - for Hadar'ezer had been at war with To'u - and [he sent] all kinds of articles made of silver, gold and bronze,

he sent his son Hadoram to greet King David and bless him for fighting and defeating Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze,

he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadarezer and smitten him (for Hadarezer had wars with Tou); and he had with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 18:10 records a significant diplomatic exchange following King David's decisive victory over Hadarezer, King of Zobah. It highlights how David's military successes brought him international recognition and tribute, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of his reign.

Context

This verse is situated within a chapter detailing King David's widespread military campaigns and his establishment of a powerful kingdom. Specifically, 1 Chronicles 18 describes David's conquests over the Philistines, Moabites, and most notably, Hadarezer, King of Zobah. Hadarezer was a formidable regional power, and his defeat had significant geopolitical implications. Tou, King of Hamath, seized this opportunity because Hadarezer had previously been an adversary to him. By sending his son, Hadoram, with valuable gifts, Tou was not only congratulating David but also strategically aligning himself with the rising power, ensuring peace and potentially gaining an ally against future threats. This act of diplomacy underscores David's growing stature in the ancient Near East.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Blessing: David's consistent victories against powerful adversaries, as seen throughout 1 Chronicles 18, underscore the Lord's hand upon him. This diplomatic overture from Tou is a direct consequence of God blessing David's endeavors and establishing his kingdom.
  • International Recognition and Diplomacy: David's growing influence extended beyond Israel's borders. The sending of an envoy and gifts signifies the respect and acknowledgement he commanded from neighboring nations. This was a common practice in the ancient Near East to form alliances or express submission to a stronger power.
  • Strategic Alliances: Tou's action was not merely congratulatory; it was a shrewd diplomatic move. By acknowledging David's victory over a common enemy, Tou secured his own kingdom's peace and potentially gained David's favor, a testament to the wisdom of seeking peace when it benefits one's people.
  • Accumulation of Wealth: The vessels of gold, silver, and brass represent the wealth flowing into David's kingdom as tribute or gifts. Much of this accumulated wealth would later be dedicated for the construction of the Temple, as indicated in the subsequent verse.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to enquire of his welfare" translates the Hebrew sha'al l'shalom (שָׁאַל לְשָׁלוֹם). While it can mean to ask about one's physical health, it carries a deeper, more holistic connotation of inquiring about one's overall well-being, prosperity, and peace. It's an expression of goodwill and a desire for peaceful relations, extending beyond mere physical health to the comprehensive state of a person or kingdom.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God's blessing on our lives, whether in personal achievements or spiritual victories, can have far-reaching positive effects, even influencing those around us. It highlights the importance of peaceful and strategic relationships, and how success, when attributed to God, can lead to greater influence and resources for His purposes. Just as Tou recognized David's strength and sought peace, we are called to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14), and to be mindful of the ripple effects of God's work through us in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 8:10 (4 votes)

    Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

  • 2 Chronicles 9:23 (3 votes)

    And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:24 (3 votes)

    And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

  • Isaiah 39:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.

  • 2 Chronicles 9:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.