Read 1 Chronicles 20
The Capture of Rabbah
20 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins. 2 David took the crown from the head of their king—its weight was found to be a talent of gold, and it was set with precious stones—and it was placed on David’s head. He took a great quantity of plunder from the city 3 and brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes.David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.
War With the Philistines
4 In the course of time, war broke out with the Philistines, at Gezer. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaites, and the Philistines were subjugated.
5 In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
6 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8 These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.
Go Deeper
First Chronicles 20 is a brief history of three wars with the surrounding enemies of Israel. In the absence of King David, Joab led Israel’s armies against the Ammonites, the Philistines, and the people of Gath. Among these enemies were descendants of giants like Goliath. Their physical size and strength were daunting. In verse 5, Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, is described as having a spear “like a weaver’s beam.” These beams are said to have weighed 17 pounds. Imagine the strength needed to effectively use this heavy spear. No matter the reasons for these wars or the strength of the opposition, the Lord blessed David and his armies with many victories keeping Israel safe, secure, and strong.
It is worth noting that David remained in Jerusalem during the beginning of the battle at Rabbah. The sin and scandal with Bathsheba and David’s murder of her husband, Uriah, had already occurred. King David was dealing with his own personal battles within his own heart and home. (Read 2 Samuel 12:1-29 to understand the details.) David’s sin and the unrest it caused kept him from his duties as king and leader. With conviction from the prophet Nathan, David fell before God in sincere, heartfelt repentance. The Lord forgave David and restored him to his God given duties as King of Israel. Although God took the first newborn son of Bathsheba, David’s restoration included the birth of Solomon. 2 Samuel 12:24 says Bathsheba “gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved him.” Praise be to God for His grace to David as Solomon would someday be King of Israel and rebuild the temple. And God’s grace to David through Solomon extends to us as Solomon recorded the wisdom of God in the Proverbs.
Israel prevailed in the wars that followed David’s sin, repentance, and restoration. 1 Chronicles 20:2 details how the spoils of the victory were presented to King David even though he did not lead out his own armies. God not only forgave David, He also gave him victory through the loyalty, strength, and faith of leaders like Joab, Sibbecai, Elhanan, and Jonathan. Israel’s armies fought on David’s behalf, and even in his absence, to help accomplish what was needed for victory over their enemies. David isn’t the only man of God to slay a giant.
There are clear lessons for us today in this short but rich chapter. First, we are to take our sin to the Lord. God faithfully offers forgiveness and restoration when we sincerely repent. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He did it for David, and He will do it for us. Second, we all need strong Christian brothers and sisters in our lives to help us walk through life. Sometimes we are headed in the wrong direction and don’t even know it. Sometimes a battle needs to be fought, but we are too weary to fight it. Life groups, Bible studies, and prayer groups can offer us deep, faith-filled friendships. In God’s design, we aren’t meant to walk alone. Through Christ, we can enjoy godly leaders, mentors, and friends who can lead us before God into strength, hope, and victory in Christ.
Questions
- What do you think it meant for David when the army placed the crown on his head in verse 2?
- What feels like an overwhelming battle you are facing in your own life? What “giants” surround you? Talk to God about your situation and invite brothers or sisters in Christ to join you in prayer for victory and healing in your battles.
- How can the forgiveness of God give us victory? Think of God’s loving kindness over you throughout today and thank Him for what He has done and all it means for you!
A Quote
George Williams, a 19th century commentary writer said, “God promises us overcoming life which gives victory. When we are forgiven, God completely forgets the sin, and omits the sin from His remembrance.”
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6 responses to “1 Chronicles 20”
Gratitude
Comfort
Longing
These are the words that come to mind when reading about David, today. He was thankful to God for the victories but he got complacent within the comfort of God’s blessings and stumbled around, ie: Bathsheba. What, Andrew, so wonderfully spoke about last night at the over 50 gaithering, was longing. We long for God constantly and mostly do not realize that is what our hearts are desiring. We must continually be reminded not to take our blessings for granted or our longing for more, deeper, and substantial walk with God. We also need to remember that God is helping us grow and that does not include comfort most of the time. Remember the giants. When God is blessing us we need to not take that for granted nor give any one or thing glory BUT GOD. The time that is hard and I feel like I am facing my own giants, this is when I struggle. But to give God thanksgiving during that time is what I know that I should be doing because I know He is doing a work in my life to increase me for His glory.
God thank You for today, these minutes as I go out into the world to face “giiants”. Thank You for a constant continually desire of longing for more of You all the minutes of all my days! WOOHOO!! God thank You that I do not get complacent but seek You harder and more earnstly with great gratitude. God help this to overflow effervesently into my speech, my physical being, my thought life, and my actions. God may I be a blessing to You in these minutes of this day. Thank You for Your love, Hesed, be also effervesing out of my complete being. God I give You glory and honor with thanksgiving for these minutes of this day in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, BRP, for this excellent commentary that provides context for today’s chapter. I’m impressed by the loyalty and bravery of David’s warriors. Perhaps because of King David’s example, they understood the battle belonged to the Lord.
6 “there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all”
I find it fascinating/funny that these details are included in God’s word! Is it there to keep us engaged? Make sure we’re paying attention?
IKR?!
I asked the same question, and here’s what I found. There are a couple of ways to look at this:
1. Literal vs. symbolic: Some scholars take it literally—a unique physical anomaly making him seem even more formidable. Others see it as a symbolic way to emphasize “superhuman” or “exceptional” strength, the kind of exaggeration that highlights just how impossible the challenge seemed.
2. Contrast with God’s power: Whether literal or symbolic, the detail underscores the point of the story: these giants seem unbeatable, yet they fall to God’s people. The extra fingers and toes make the giant look invincible, but God’s strength renders all human exaggerations powerless.
Thanks! Interesting!
This morning, I read a news article about a giant political power, making yet another power move to take over something significant to the people and “subdue” it. I am dismayed—but sadly, not surprised.
Because this is nothing new. There have always been giant powers intent on oppressing and overwhelming others.
Take today’s chapter, for instance. 1 Chronicles 20 (which, by the way, is full of descriptions of ACTUAL giants!) reminds us “there is nothing new under the sun.” Here we see David’s men face formidable foes, towering enemies who seem unbeatable.
But the story doesn’t end there. Because we also see the power of God working through His people, demonstrating that even the most daunting obstacles are no match for the strength of God.
I need such assurance now more than ever. These days there are plenty of “political giants” misusing their power—and even “we the people” can feel powerless to stop them.
But this chapter tells a different story. “We need not fear great men against us while we have the great God for us” (Matthew Henry). Because “even the greatest of the mighty are crushed under divine judgment when they misuse their strength” (Anthony Delgado).
As we look back on these ancient victories, we can look forward to our own.
God wins. Period. End of story.