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1 Chronicles 20

1 Chronicles 20 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

1 Chronicles 20 records military victories over the Ammonites and Philistines. The chapter highlights Joab's capture of Rabbah, David's return to claim the crown, and several hard-fought wins by David's warriors. It shows Israel advancing under God's favor.

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What happens in 1 Chronicles 20?

In the spring campaign, Joab leads the army against Rabbah while David stays in Jerusalem. The city is taken, its king's crown is given to David, and much plunder is brought back. David also places the captured people at labor before returning home with his troops. The chapter then shifts to repeated battles with the Philistines at Gezer and Gath. Several giant warriors fall to David's servants, including one killed by Jonathan, and the chapter ends by noting the defeat of these descendants of Rapha.

This chapter continues the account of David's reign after the events in the previous chapter. It follows the siege and defeat of the Ammonite stronghold and then moves into a series of victories over Philistine enemies. The focus stays on Israel's military strength and on the men who fought under David's rule.

Themes to notice

  • Victory in battleGod grants success to David's forces as they overcome enemies on several fronts.
  • David's leadershipDavid remains the central king, even when others lead the fighting and carry out the work.
  • Fall of proud enemiesThe Philistine champions and descendants of Rapha are defeated despite their size and strength.

Questions for 1 Chronicles 20

  • What does Joab's capture of Rabbah show about the way David's kingdom is expanding?
  • Why do the repeated defeats of the Philistine warriors matter in this chapter?
  • What can we learn from the roles of David, Joab, and the other men in these battles?

Read the full text of 1 Chronicles 20 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

1 Chronicles 20

The Capture of Rabbah

1In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it.2Then David took the crown from the head of their king. It was found to weigh a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.3David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

Battles against the Philistines

4Some time later, war broke out with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, a descendant of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued.

5Once again there was a battle with the Philistines, and Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.6And there was still another battle at Gath, where there was a man of great stature with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He too was descended from Rapha,7and when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of David’s brother Shimei killed him.8So these descendants of Rapha in Gath fell at the hands of David and his servants.

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