History · Chapter 19 of 29

1 Chronicles 19

David tries to show kindness to Hanun, the new Ammonite king, out of loyalty to his late father. But Hanun's advisors convince him the envoys are spies, so he humiliates them by shaving them and cutting off their garments. This insult provokes war. The Ammonites hire Syrian mercenaries, and Joab and Abishai, trusting the LORD to do what is good, defeat both armies in a two-front battle.

What happens in 1 Chronicles 19

When Nahash the Ammonite king dies, David sends messengers to comfort his son Hanun, remembering Nahash's past kindness. But Hanun's princes accuse the envoys of spying, so Hanun shaves them and cuts their garments off at the buttocks, sending them away shamed. David, learning of it, tells the humiliated men to stay at Jericho until their beards grow back. Realizing they have made themselves odious to David, the Ammonites hire thousands of chariots and troops.

Joab faces enemies before and behind, so he splits his forces, taking the Syrians himself and giving the Ammonites to Abishai, with each pledging to help the other. Joab charges them to be courageous for their people and cities and to let the LORD do what seems good to him. The Syrians flee before Joab, the Ammonites flee before Abishai, and a later Syrian reinforcement is also routed, after which they make peace with David and refuse to help Ammon again.

1 Chronicles 19 in context

This episode sets up the Ammonite war that forms the backdrop of David's later fall in 2 Samuel, though the Chronicler focuses only on the military and diplomatic events. It illustrates how misjudged intentions and wounded pride can escalate into needless bloodshed.

The Chronicler highlights Joab's God-trusting resolve on the battlefield, offering the post-exilic readers a model of courage that combines wise strategy with humble surrender to God's will.

Main themes of 1 Chronicles 19

1 Chronicles 19 (KJV)

1Now it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead. 2And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him. 3But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land? 4Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away. 5Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 6And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah. 7So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. 8And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. 9And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field. 10Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. 11And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon. 12And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee. 13Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. 14So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him. 15And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem. 16And when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them. 17And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him. 18But the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host. 19And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

Verses to carry from 1 Chronicles 19

“And David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.”1 Chronicles 19:2

“Then there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.”1 Chronicles 19:5

“Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.”1 Chronicles 19:13

Reflection

Hanun listened to voices that assumed the worst, and it cost him dearly. Whose motives are you quick to distrust, and might suspicion be manufacturing an enemy where none exists? Ask God for the discernment to receive kindness as kindness, and for Joab's balance of doing your part while leaving the outcome to him.

A prayer from 1 Chronicles 19