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1 Chronicles 18:1-17 King James Version (KJV)

1 Now after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put garrisons in Syriadamascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 Now when Tou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

10 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.

11 Them also king David dedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

14 So David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice among all his people.

15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder.

16 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now after this H310 it came to pass, that David H1732 smote H5221 the Philistines, H6430 and subdued H3665 them, and took H3947 Gath H1661 and her towns H1323 out of the hand H3027 of the Philistines. H6430

2 And he smote H5221 Moab; H4124 and the Moabites H4124 became David's H1732 servants, H5650 and brought H5375 gifts. H4503

3 And David H1732 smote H5221 Hadarezer H1928 king H4428 of Zobah H6678 unto Hamath, H2574 as he went H3212 to stablish H5324 his dominion H3027 by the river H5104 Euphrates. H6578

4 And David H1732 took H3920 from him a thousand H505 chariots, H7393 and seven H7651 thousand H505 horsemen, H6571 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 footmen: H376 H7273 David H1732 also houghed H6131 all the chariot H7393 horses, but reserved H3498 of them an hundred H3967 chariots. H7393

5 And when the Syrians H758 of Damascus H1834 came H935 to help H5826 Hadarezer H1928 king H4428 of Zobah, H6678 David H1732 slew H5221 of the Syrians H758 two H8147 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 men. H376

6 Then David H1732 put H7760 garrisons in Syriadamascus; H758 H1834 and the Syrians H758 became David's H1732 servants, H5650 and brought H5375 gifts. H4503 Thus the LORD H3068 preserved H3467 David H1732 whithersoever he went. H1980

7 And David H1732 took H3947 the shields H7982 of gold H2091 that were on the servants H5650 of Hadarezer, H1928 and brought H935 them to Jerusalem. H3389

8 Likewise from Tibhath, H2880 and from Chun, H3560 cities H5892 of Hadarezer, H1928 brought H3947 David H1732 very H3966 much H7227 brass, H5178 wherewith Solomon H8010 made H6213 the brasen H5178 sea, H3220 and the pillars, H5982 and the vessels H3627 of brass. H5178

9 Now when Tou H8583 king H4428 of Hamath H2574 heard H8085 how David H1732 had smitten H5221 all the host H2428 of Hadarezer H1928 king H4428 of Zobah; H6678

10 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

11 Them also king H4428 David H1732 dedicated H6942 unto the LORD, H3068 with the silver H3701 and the gold H2091 that he brought H5375 from all these nations; H1471 from Edom, H123 and from Moab, H4124 and from the children H1121 of Ammon, H5983 and from the Philistines, H6430 and from Amalek. H6002

12 Moreover Abishai H52 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 slew H5221 of the Edomites H123 in the valley H1516 of salt H4417 eighteen H8083 H6240 thousand. H505

13 And he put H7760 garrisons H5333 in Edom; H123 and all the Edomites H123 became David's H1732 servants. H5650 Thus the LORD H3068 preserved H3467 David H1732 whithersoever he went. H1980

14 So David H1732 reigned H4427 over all Israel, H3478 and executed H6213 judgment H4941 and justice H6666 among all his people. H5971

15 And Joab H3097 the son H1121 of Zeruiah H6870 was over the host; H6635 and Jehoshaphat H3092 the son H1121 of Ahilud, H286 recorder. H2142

16 And Zadok H6659 the son H1121 of Ahitub, H285 and Abimelech H40 the son H1121 of Abiathar, H54 were the priests; H3548 and Shavsha H7798 was scribe; H5608

17 And Benaiah H1141 the son H1121 of Jehoiada H3077 was over the Cherethites H3774 and the Pelethites; H6432 and the sons H1121 of David H1732 were chief H7223 about H3027 the king. H4428


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 American Standard (ASV)

1 And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.

5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadarezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.

6 Then David put `garrisons' in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadarezer, David took very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 And when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah,

10 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.

11 These also did king David dedicate unto Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah smote of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand.

13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

14 And David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness unto all his people.

15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And it cometh to pass after this, that David smiteth the Philistines, and humbleth them, and taketh Gath and its small towns out of the hand of the Philistines;

2 and he smiteth Moab, and the Moabites are servants to David, bringing a present.

3 And David smiteth Hadarezer king of Zobah, at Hamath, in his going to establish his power by the river Phrat,

4 and David captureth from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen, and David destroyeth utterly all the chariots, and leaveth of them a hundred chariots `only'.

5 And Aram of Damascus cometh in to give help to Hadarezer king of Zobah, and David smiteth in Aram twenty and two thousand men,

6 and David putteth `garrisons' in Aram of Damascus, and the Aramaeans are to David for servants, bearing a present, and Jehovah giveth salvation to David whithersoever he hath gone.

7 And David taketh the shields of gold that have been on the servants of Hadarezer, and bringeth them in to Jerusalem;

8 and from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, hath David taken very much brass; with it hath Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 And Tou king of Hamath heareth that David hath smitten the whole force of Hadarezer king of Zobah,

10 and he sendeth Hadoram his son unto king David, to ask of him of peace, and to bless him (because that he hath fought against Hadarezer, and smiteth him, for a man of wars with Tou had Hadarezer been,) and all kinds of vessels, of gold, and silver, and brass;

11 also them hath king David sanctified to Jehovah with the silver and the gold that he hath taken from all the nations, from Edom, and from Moab, and from the sons of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 And Abishai son of Zeruiah hath smitten Edom in the valley of salt -- eighteen thousand,

13 and he putteth in Edom garrisons, and all the Edomites are servants to David; and Jehovah saveth David whithersoever he hath gone.

14 And David reigneth over all Israel, and he is doing judgment and righteousness to all his people,

15 and Joab son of Zeruiah `is' over the host, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud `is' remembrancer,

16 and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, `are' priests, and Shavsha `is' scribe,

17 and Benaiah son of Jehoiada `is' over the Cherethite and the Pelethite, and the elder sons of David `are' at the hand of the king.


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And after this it came to pass that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 And he smote the Moabites; and the Moabites became David's servants, [and] brought gifts.

3 And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah, at Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David houghed all the chariot [horses], but reserved of them [for] a hundred chariots.

5 And the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, and David smote of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.

6 And David put [garrisons] in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, [and] brought gifts. And Jehovah preserved David whithersoever he went.

7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 And from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, David took very much brass, of which Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 And Tou king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the forces of Hadarezer king of Zobah;

10 and he sent Hadoram his son to king David to inquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer and smitten him; for Hadarezer was continually at war with Tou; [he sent] also all manner of vessels of gold and silver and bronze.

11 Them also king David dedicated to Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he had brought from all the nations: from the Edomites, and from the Moabites, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from the Amalekites.

12 And Abishai the son of Zeruiah smote of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand.

13 And he put garrisons in Edom; and all they of Edom became servants to David. And Jehovah preserved David whithersoever he went.

14 And David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgment and justice to all his people.

15 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was chronicler;

16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were the first at the king's hand.


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 World English Bible (WEB)

1 After this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

2 He struck Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.

3 David struck Hadarezer king of Zobah to Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.

4 David took from him one thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for one hundred chariots.

5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David struck of the Syrians twenty-two thousand men.

6 Then David put [garrisons] in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

7 David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.

8 From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadarezer, David took very much brass, with which Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

9 When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had struck all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah,

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

11 These also did king David dedicate to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.

12 Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand.

13 He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.

14 David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness to all his people.

15 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;

16 and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;

17 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.


1 Chronicles 18:1-17 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And it came about after this that David made an attack on the Philistines and overcame them, and took Gath with its daughter-towns out of the hands of the Philistines.

2 And he overcame Moab, and the Moabites became his servants and gave him offerings.

3 Then David overcame Hadadezer, king of Zobah, near Hamath, when he was going to make his power seen by the river Euphrates.

4 And David took from him a thousand war-carriages and seven thousand horsemen and twenty thousand footmen: and he had the leg-muscles of all the horses cut, keeping only enough of them for a hundred war-carriages.

5 And when the Aramaeans of Damascus came to the help of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, David put to the sword twenty-two thousand Aramaeans.

6 Then David put armed forces in Damascus, and the Aramaeans became his servants and gave him offerings. And the Lord made David overcome wherever he went.

7 And the gold body-covers of the servants of Hadadezer, David took to Jerusalem.

8 And from Tibhath and from Cun, towns of Hadadezer, David took a great store of brass, of which Solomon made the great brass water-vessel and the brass pillars and vessels.

9 Now when Tou, king of Hamath, had news that David had overcome all the army of Hadadezer, king of Zobah,

10 He sent his son Hadoram to King David, to give him words of peace and blessing, because he had overcome Hadadezer in the fight, for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou; and he gave him all sorts of vessels of gold and silver and brass.

11 These King David made holy to the Lord, together with the silver and gold he had taken from all nations; from Edom and Moab and from the children of Ammon and from the Philistines and from Amalek.

12 And when he came back from putting to the sword eighteen thousand of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt,

13 David put armed forces in all the towns of Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. The Lord made David overcome wherever he went.

14 So David was king over all Israel, judging and giving right decisions for all his people.

15 And Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of the army; and Jehoshaphat, son of Ahilud, was keeper of the records.

16 And Zadok, the son of Ahitub; and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was the scribe;

17 And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief of those whose places were at the king's side.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18

Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 18

David's piety and his prayer we had an account of in the foregoing chapter; here follows immediately that which one might reasonably expect, an account of his prosperity; for those that seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, as David did, shall have other things added to them as far as God sees good for them. Here is,

  • I. His prosperity abroad. He conquered the Philistines (v. 1), the Moabites (v. 2), the king of Zobah (v. 3, 4), the Syrians (v. 5-8), made the king of Hamath his tributary (v. 9-11), and the Edomites (v. 12, 13).
  • II. His prosperity at home. His court and kingdom flourished (v. 14-17). All this we had an account of before, 2 Sa. 8.

1Ch 18:1-8

After this, it is said (v. 1), David did those great exploits. After the sweet communion he had had with God by the word and prayer, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, he went on his work with extraordinary vigour and courage, conquering and to conquer. Thus Jacob, after his vision, lifted up his feet, Gen. 29:1.

We have taken a view of these victories before, and shall now only observe,

  • 1. Those that have been long enemies to the Israel of God will be brought down at last. The Philistines had, for several generations, been vexatious to Israel, but now David subdued them, v. 1. Thus shall all opposing rule, principality, and power, be, at the end of time, put down by the Son of David, and the most inveterate enemies shall fall before him.
  • 2. Such is the uncertainty of this world that frequently men lose their wealth and power when they think to confirm it. Hadarezer was smitten as he went to establish his dominion, v. 3.
  • 3. A horse is a vain thing for safety, so David said (Ps. 33:17), and it seems he believed what he said, for he houghed the chariot-horses, v. 4. Being resolved not to trust to them (Ps. 20:7), he would not use them.
  • 4. The enemies of God's church are often made to ruin themselves by helping one another, v. 5. The Syrians of Damascus were smitten when they came to help Hadarezer. When hand thus joins in hand they shall not only not go unpunished, but thereby they shall be gathered as the sheaves into the floor, Mic. 4:11, 12.
  • 5. The wealth of the sinner sometimes proves to have been laid up for the just. The Syrians brought gifts, v. 6. Their shields of gold and their brass were brought to Jerusalem, v. 7, 8. As the tabernacle was built of the spoils of the Egyptians, so the temple of the spoils of other Gentile nations, a happy presage of the interest the Gentiles should have in the gospel church.

1Ch 18:9-17

Here let us learn,

  • 1. That it is our interest to make those our friends who have the presence of God with them. The king of Hamath, hearing of David's great success, sent to congratulate him and to court his favour with a noble present, v. 9, 10. It is in vain to contend with the Son of David. Kiss the Son, therefore, lest he be angry; let the kings and judges of the earth, and all inferior people too, be thus wise, thus instructed. The presents we are to bring him are not vessels of gold and silver, as here (those shall be welcomed to him who have no such presents to bring), but our hearts and sincere affections, our whole selves, we must present to him as living sacrifices.
  • 2. That what God blesses us with we must honour him with. The presents of his friends, as well as the spoils of his enemies, David dedicated unto the Lord (v. 11), that is, he laid them up towards the building and enriching of the temple. That is most truly and most comfortably our own which we have consecrated unto the Lord, and which we use for his glory. Let our merchandise and our hire be holiness to the Lord, Isa. 23:18.
  • 3. That those who take God along with them whithersoever they go may expect to prosper, and be preserved, whithersoever they go. It was said before (v. 6) and here it is repeated (v. 13) that the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went. Those are always under the eye of God that have God always in their eye.
  • 4. God gives men power, not that they may look great with it, but that they may do good with it. When David reigned over all Israel he executed judgment and justice among all his people, and so answered the end of his elevation. He was not so intent on his conquests abroad as to neglect the administration of justice at home. Herein he served the purposes of the kingdom of providence, and of that God who sits in the throne judging right; and he was an eminent type of the Messiah, the sceptre of whose kingdom is a right sceptre.