1 Chronicles 18 10

1 Chronicles 18:10 kjv

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.

1 Chronicles 18:10 nkjv

he sent Hadoram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou); and Hadoram brought with him all kinds of articles of gold, silver, and bronze.

1 Chronicles 18:10 niv

he sent his son Hadoram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold, of silver and of bronze.

1 Chronicles 18:10 esv

he sent his son Hadoram to King David, to ask about his health and to bless him because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him; for Hadadezer had often been at war with Tou. And he sent all sorts of articles of gold, of silver, and of bronze.

1 Chronicles 18:10 nlt

he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of gold, silver, and bronze.

1 Chronicles 18 verses

1 Chronicles 18 10 Meaning

This verse describes King Tou of Hamath's act of sending his son, Hadoram, as an envoy to King David. The purpose was to extend greetings and blessings to David because David had decisively defeated Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. This victory was significant to Tou, as Hadadezer had previously been an adversary to Hamath, making David's triumph beneficial for Tou's kingdom. It signifies the widespread recognition of David's military prowess and God's favor on him.

1 Chronicles 18 10 Context

1 Chronicles 18 focuses on David's significant military conquests following the capture of Jerusalem, which establish his kingdom's borders and influence. This chapter meticulously lists David's victories over regional enemies, including the Philistines, Moabites, Aramaeans (specifically Hadadezer king of Zobah), and Edomites. These victories are consistently attributed to the LORD giving David victory wherever he went (v. 6, 13). The immediate context of verse 10 follows David's major triumph over Hadadezer (vv. 3-8), where he secured a vast amount of spoils, including chariots, horses, and bronze, dedicating them to the LORD. This particular verse highlights the ripple effect of David's military successes, demonstrating that even neighboring kings, previously affected by Hadadezer, recognized and responded to David's newly asserted power. For the post-exilic audience of Chronicles, these narratives reinforced the idea of God's faithfulness to David and His covenant promises, showcasing a time when the kingdom flourished under God's favor and Israel had dominion over its enemies. There is no direct polemic against specific foreign beliefs here; rather, it indirectly exalts the God of Israel by showing how His blessing upon David leads to such widespread acknowledgement from foreign rulers, including the one in Hamath who benefits from God's judgment on Hadadezer.

1 Chronicles 18 10 Word analysis

• He sent: (Heb. Shalach - שָׁלַח) Signifies initiative from Tou. It’s an official commission, indicating an important diplomatic act, not merely a casual visit. The king of Hamath actively sought this connection.
• Hadoram: (Heb. Hadoram - הֲדֹרָם) In the parallel account in 2 Samuel 8:10, his name is "Joram" (יוֹרָם). This name variation (often occurring in Biblical texts) could be a dialectical difference, a scribal variation, or indicate different titles or given names for the same individual. Hadoram likely refers to a high-ranking member of the royal family, signifying the gravity and honor of the diplomatic mission.
• his son: Emphasizes the importance of the envoy. Sending one's son was a sign of great respect, trust, and the establishment of a strong diplomatic tie, hinting at a potential alliance or friendly relations.
• to King David: Acknowledges David's established authority and royal status among the surrounding nations. He is recognized as a formidable power.
• to greet him: (Heb. Li-she'ol lo le-shalom - לִשְׁאֹל לוֹ לְשָׁלוֹם) Literally "to ask for him concerning peace" or "welfare." This phrase conveys a formal diplomatic inquiry about his well-being, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy. It signified the intent to establish or maintain peaceful and friendly relations.
• and to bless him: (Heb. U-le-varakho - וּלְבָרְכוֹ) To invoke good fortune upon David, or to speak well of him, possibly offering congratulations and expressing approval of his actions. This blessing could also be an acknowledgment of the divine favor David clearly possessed, seeking a portion of that blessing through alliance.
• because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him: (Heb. Ki nilkham im Hadadezer vay-yekatehu - כִּי נִלְחַם אֶת־הֲדַדְעֶזֶר וַיַּכֵּהוּ) This is the explicit and strategic reason for Tou's embassy. "Fought against" (nilkham) indicates a battle, and "defeated" (vay-yekatehu, from katat - "to cut down," "crush," "destroy utterly") emphasizes a decisive and thorough victory, not just a minor skirmish. This was a critical outcome for Tou.
• For Hadadezer had been at war with Tou: (Heb. Ki ish milchamot Hadadezer hayah im Tou - כִּי אִישׁ מִלְחָמוֹת הָדַדְעֶזֶר הָיָה עִם־תֹּעוּ) This provides the context for Tou's motivation. It highlights the long-standing conflict between Hamath and Zobah, making David's victory over Hadadezer a strategic advantage and a welcomed relief for Tou's kingdom.

1 Chronicles 18 10 Bonus section

The textual difference between 1 Chronicles 18:10 (Hadoram, Tou) and 2 Samuel 8:10 (Joram, Toi) does not indicate a contradiction, but rather highlights potential scribal variations, different spellings common in ancient Semitic languages, or even the use of different names/titles for the same individuals depending on the source material or context. The Chronicler's narrative retains the core historical event and theological point: David's reign, backed by God, brought such a measure of divine favor and military success that it altered the geopolitical landscape, drawing tribute and acknowledgment even from distant kingdoms. This also sets the stage for the dedication of these resources to the sanctuary (1 Chr 18:11), further emphasizing the sacred nature of David's rule and its ultimate purpose in God's plan for His dwelling place.

1 Chronicles 18 10 Commentary

1 Chronicles 18:10 details a pivotal diplomatic event that showcases the expanding influence of David's kingdom, supernaturally enabled by the Lord. Tou, the king of Hamath, initiated contact with David, demonstrating that David's military victories were resonating across the region. The choice to send Hadoram, his own son, underscored the significance and honor of this embassy. This was not merely a congratulatory message but a calculated act of statecraft aimed at securing peaceful relations and potentially a strategic alliance with a newly dominant power that had neutralized Tou's long-standing enemy, Hadadezer.

The passage emphasizes God's hand in David's successes, a consistent theme in Chronicles. David's triumph over Hadadezer, described as total annihilation of a hostile power, brought tangible relief to Hamath. Tou's "greeting" (welfare inquiry) and "blessing" conveyed both respect for David's achievements and implicit recognition of the God who granted those victories. The gifts Tou sent (mentioned in the subsequent verse) further solidified this acknowledgment and contributed to David's accumulating wealth, which he consistently dedicated to the Lord for the future Temple. This highlights that David's kingdom was established not just through military might, but through divine favor that even foreign rulers recognized and responded to. It also paints a picture of David fulfilling the covenant promise, with other nations coming to acknowledge his divinely-established reign, setting the stage for Solomon's reign of peace and wealth for the construction of the Temple.