1Ch 20 | MHM | STEP | The Defeat of the Ammonites This section continues the story of Israel’s battles with the Ammonites. Earlier chapters told how the Ammonite army and their allies were defeated in the field. Now, we read about the capture of Rabbah, the capital city of Ammon. David takes the crown from their king and shows strict judgment on the people. The story also reminds us of David’s sin with Bathsheba, which happened while Joab was fighting at Rabbah. However, the writer does not repeat the details of David’s sin here. This teaches us that while it is sometimes necessary to mention someone’s faults, we should not enjoy repeating them. If we cannot say anything good about someone, it is better to say nothing at all. v. 1 : In the spring, when kings usually go to war, Joab led the army and destroyed the land of the Ammonites. He went to Rabbah and besieged it. But David stayed in Jerusalem. If David had gone with his army, he might have avoided the temptation that led to his great sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1 ). The verse says, But David tarried at Jerusalem , which is a quiet reminder of his mistake.

‏ 1 Chronicles 20

The Defeat of the Ammonites

This section continues the story of Israel’s battles with the Ammonites. Earlier chapters told how the Ammonite army and their allies were defeated in the field. Now, we read about the capture of Rabbah, the capital city of Ammon. David takes the crown from their king and shows strict judgment on the people. The story also reminds us of David’s sin with Bathsheba, which happened while Joab was fighting at Rabbah. However, the writer does not repeat the details of David’s sin here. This teaches us that while it is sometimes necessary to mention someone’s faults, we should not enjoy repeating them. If we cannot say anything good about someone, it is better to say nothing at all.

v. 1: In the spring, when kings usually go to war, Joab led the army and destroyed the land of the Ammonites. He went to Rabbah and besieged it. But David stayed in Jerusalem. If David had gone with his army, he might have avoided the temptation that led to his great sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1 ^a). The verse says, But David tarried at Jerusalem, which is a quiet reminder of his mistake.

v. 2: After Rabbah was captured, David took the crown from the head of the Ammonite king and placed it on his own head. The crown was very heavy and made of gold, with precious stones. David also took a great amount of treasure from the city .

v. 3: David brought out the people who were in the city and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. He did this to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all his army returned to Jerusalem .

War with the Philistine Giants

This section tells about the battles with the giants of Gath, who were among the last enemies of Israel to be defeated. The Philistines had almost been conquered earlier (1 Chronicles 18:1 ^b), but these giants were still left. This is similar to how Joshua defeated the Canaanites, but the sons of Anak, the giants, were the last to fall (Joshua 11:21 ^c). Sometimes, in our lives, certain sins are like these giants—they are hard to overcome and take a long time to defeat. But with God’s help, victory will come at last. The Israelites did not have giants like the Philistines. God’s people grow in usefulness, not in size. Even though David’s men were of normal height, they could defeat the giants because God was with them. We should not be afraid of powerful enemies, because God is greater. The giants were proud and challenged Israel, but God punished them for their pride. In the same way, God will always stand against those who fight against Him and His people. The victory over evil is slow but sure, and in the end, even death will be defeated.

v. 4: After this, there was another battle with the Philistines at Gezer. At that time, Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and so the Philistines were defeated again .

v. 5: In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath of Gath. The handle of his spear was as thick as a weaver’s beam .

v. 6: There was another war at Gath. In that place, there was a huge man who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in total. He was also descended from the giants .

v. 7: This man challenged Israel. But Jonathan, the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him . The giants defied Israel and paid the price for their pride and insults. God does not let those who mock His people go unpunished (Deuteronomy 32:27 ^d).

v. 8: These men were descendants of the giants in Gath. They fell by the hands of David and his servants. This shows that God’s people, though not giants in size, are strong through His help, and victory comes to those who trust in Him (1 Chronicles 20:8 ^e).