1 Chronicles 18 12

1 Chronicles 18:12 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 18:12 nkjv

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

1 Chronicles 18:12 niv

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

1 Chronicles 18:12 esv

And Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, killed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1 Chronicles 18:12 nlt

Abishai son of Zeruiah destroyed 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1 Chronicles 18 verses

1 Chronicles 18 12 Meaning

This verse records a decisive military victory for King David's kingdom, specifically achieved by his commander Abishai, the son of Zeruiah. It details the defeat of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt, resulting in a substantial number of casualties, stated as eighteen thousand. The verse signifies the expansion and consolidation of David's reign, emphasizing God's blessing and the strength He granted to Israel's military under David's leadership against their adversaries.

1 Chronicles 18 12 Context

This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles chapter 18, which meticulously details David's military victories and the subsequent expansion of his kingdom. Following the accounts of his defeat of the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Zobah, this specific battle against the Edomites highlights David's comprehensive dominion over surrounding nations. The Chronicler emphasizes God's consistent preservation and support of David throughout these campaigns (1 Chron 18:6, 13), establishing David as God's chosen king through whom Israel would experience rest and security from their enemies. For the original post-exilic audience, this account would have served as an encouragement, reminding them of God's faithfulness to His covenant with David and the ultimate restoration and triumph He provides to His people, drawing a parallel to their own restoration from exile. The victory against Edom, a perennial enemy descending from Esau, symbolizes God's control over even the most stubborn adversaries. The "Valley of Salt" (likely the Arabah south of the Dead Sea) was a crucial geographical and economic region, and its control would have solidified David's borders and influence over key trade routes.

1 Chronicles 18 12 Word analysis

• Moreover (וְגַם, wĕḡam): This conjunctive phrase means "and also" or "furthermore." It signifies that the events described are an additional and important part of the broader narrative of David's military achievements and the consolidation of his kingdom. It serves to transition and add another major victory to the list.
• Abishai (אֲבִישַׁי, ’Ăḇīšay): The name can mean "My father is Jesse" or "Father of gift." Abishai was one of David's most valiant and loyal warriors, the son of David's sister Zeruiah, and brother to Joab (David's chief general) and Asahel. His prominence in leading this significant campaign indicates his high rank and trust by David, reflecting his strategic and combative skill. His action here is an expression of the power God bestowed upon David's commanders.
• the son of Zeruiah: This clarifies Abishai's lineage, connecting him to David's close family through his mother, Zeruiah, who was David's sister. This familial connection highlights the unity and shared purpose within David's inner circle in achieving national security and divine mandate.
• slew (הִכָּה, hikkâ from נָכָה, nākāh): This verb means "smote," "struck down," or "killed." It denotes a decisive and overwhelming military defeat. The use of this word underscores the severity of the blow inflicted upon the Edomites, indicating a major and complete routing in battle.
• of the Edomites (אֱדוֹם, ’Ĕḏōwm): The Edomites were descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob (Israel). Their land was southeast of the Dead Sea, characterized by its reddish rock formations, which may have given them their name (Edom means "red"). Throughout Israel's history, the Edomites were often hostile adversaries, rooted in their ancient familial rivalry, consistently refusing passage and later exploiting Israel's weaknesses. This victory marks a significant subjugation of a long-standing foe.
• in the valley of salt (גֵּי־מֶלַח, Gêy-Melaḥ): This geographical location is widely identified with the Arabah, the rift valley extending south from the Dead Sea. This region is notably saline due to its proximity to the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) and arid conditions. Its strategic importance lay in controlling access to major trade routes connecting to southern lands and coastal regions, making its capture vital for securing David's southern frontier.
• eighteen thousand (שְׁמֹונָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף, šmōnâ ‘āśאַר ’elep̄): This specific numerical figure represents the estimated casualties or the total force destroyed or subjugated in the campaign. In ancient biblical accounts, such numbers signify a monumental and crushing defeat for the enemy, indicative of the full scope of God's hand in empowering David's military efforts. While other parallel accounts (like Ps 60:Title) mention different figures or agents (12,000, Joab), Chronicles often attributes command or primary action to specific individuals within a larger campaign or counts comprehensive casualties.

• "Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew": This phrase emphasizes Abishai's personal agency and leadership in this specific act of warfare, distinguishing him as the commander who carried out this crucial victory for David's kingdom. It speaks to the distributed command structure under David, where capable men led successful campaigns under his ultimate authority.
• "slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand": This constitutes the core report of the military action, detailing the specific enemy, the location of the battle, and the impressive scale of the victory. It summarizes the culmination of strategic planning and military might that resulted in the complete subjugation of a formidable adversary in a critical geographic area.

1 Chronicles 18 12 Bonus section

The chronicler's focus on Abishai leading this specific charge, as opposed to Joab (as indicated in Psalm 60's title), highlights the perspective and specific interests of 1 Chronicles. Chronicles often focuses on the direct and prominent roles of specific figures and tends to present a more magnified account of Judah's and David's successes, attributing glorious achievements to specific, sometimes lesser-known, commanders who played critical roles. The "Valley of Salt" itself held symbolic significance as a place of judgment and desolation in biblical thought, intensifying the severity of the defeat inflicted upon the Edomites in that location. This military action solidified control over Edom for several generations, bringing stability to David's southern frontier and ensuring his access to critical trade routes, thereby illustrating the practical outcome of God's providential enablement of David's kingdom.

1 Chronicles 18 12 Commentary

1 Chronicles 18:12 is a powerful statement about the breadth and depth of God's blessing on David's reign. Through the skilled leadership of Abishai, David's kingdom decisively defeated the Edomites, a persistent and historical adversary. This specific victory, located in the strategic Valley of Salt, symbolizes David's comprehensive subjugation of surrounding nations, not merely through human strength, but as a direct result of the Lord's preserving and empowering presence. The significant casualty figure underscores the completeness of God-granted triumph, reassuring the post-exilic readers that God remains faithful to His covenant promises of security and blessing for His chosen king and His people, regardless of the odds. It is a testament to the fact that when God fights for His people, victory is assured, leading to the establishment of divine order and widespread dominion.