1 Chronicles 18 6

1 Chronicles 18:6 kjv

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

1 Chronicles 18:6 nkjv

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:6 niv

He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought him tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:6 esv

Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18:6 nlt

Then he placed several army garrisons in Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David's subjects and paid him tribute money. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

1 Chronicles 18 verses

1 Chronicles 18 6 Meaning

1 Chronicles 18:6 declares God's active role in David's military triumphs. It states that after David defeated the Arameans of Damascus, he established military posts there, effectively bringing them under his dominion. Consequently, the Syrians submitted to David, rendering tribute. The verse climactically attributes David's success and safety to the constant divine protection of the Lord, who preserved him throughout all his endeavors and movements.

1 Chronicles 18 6 Context

1 Chronicles 18 begins a series of chapters detailing David's extensive military campaigns and victories, through which he solidified Israel's borders and greatly expanded its influence. This chapter focuses on David's triumphs over various neighboring kingdoms—the Philistines, Moab, Zobah, Damascus (Syria), and Edom. It also records the significant amounts of spoils he acquired, which he then dedicated to the Lord. This dedication is a crucial theme in Chronicles, showing David's reverence and his preparation for the future Temple. Verse 6 specifically deals with the subjugation of the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, highlighting David's strategic dominance and, more importantly, underscoring the divine power behind his successes. The historical context reflects a period of great geopolitical power shifts, where David, as God's chosen king, establishes a regional hegemony.

1 Chronicles 18 6 Word analysis

• Then David: This opening highlights David's direct action as the earthly instrument of God's will. It continues the narrative of David's successful campaigns, indicating a sequence of military achievements directly following his victory over Hadadezer.

• put garrisons: The Hebrew word natsav (נצב) implies establishing, stationing, or appointing. In this context, it refers to military occupation, setting up military posts or strongholds. This act signifies firm control and annexation of the conquered territory, ensuring the submission and continued loyalty of the Syrians. It demonstrates David's strategic mastery, enabled by God.

• in Syria of Damascus: This refers to the Aramean kingdom centered in Damascus, a significant and powerful entity at the time. Damascus was a key trade route and a strategic city. Its subjugation meant a vast expansion of David's realm and influence towards the northeast.

• and the Syrians became David's servants: The Hebrew term ʿeved (עֶבֶד), translated here as "servants," denotes a status of vassalage or subjugation. This implies political and economic subservience rather than chattel slavery. The mighty Syrians, representing a foreign power, are depicted as becoming subservient to God's anointed king, contrasting the inability of their pagan gods to protect them from Israel's God.

• and brought presents: The Hebrew word mincha (מִנְחָה), often translated as "offering" or "gift" in other contexts, here refers specifically to tribute paid by a conquered people to their new sovereign. It signifies their acknowledgement of David's authority and a continuous stream of economic gain for David's kingdom, showcasing the spoils of divine blessing and military victory.

• And the Lord: The subject shifts definitively from David to YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. This is the central theological point of the verse and of the Chronicler's narrative: all human success and power ultimately originate from God.

• preserved David: The Hebrew yasha (יָשַׁע) means to save, deliver, or grant victory/help. It emphasizes divine protection, safety from harm, and enabling David's success in battle and beyond. This "preservation" is not merely survival but ensuring triumph and securing his position. It reflects God's active involvement in His chosen king's life.

• wherever he went: This phrase emphasizes the universality and constant nature of God's protection. It means David was victorious and safe in all his military expeditions and travels, signifying comprehensive and unwavering divine favor throughout his entire range of activities. This pervasive presence of God underscores the unconditional aspect of the Davidic covenant.

• "Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus": This phrase details David's concrete act of military and political dominance over a major foreign power. It signifies the physical manifestation of Israel's expanded influence, asserting control over strategically vital trade routes and territories. This move effectively brought the kingdom of Aram-Damascus into David's sphere of influence, weakening potential regional threats.

• "the Syrians became David's servants, and brought presents": This group of words describes the immediate consequences of David's victory and the garrisons. It highlights their new status as a vassal state, obligated to serve David and provide tribute. This not only signifies political subjugation but also an economic advantage for David's kingdom, accumulating wealth which the Chronicler later shows as dedicated towards the Temple project. It’s a clear demonstration of the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel victorious over its enemies.

• "And the Lord preserved David wherever he went": This is the theological lynchpin of the verse. It unmistakably attributes all of David's success—military, political, and economic—not to David's personal strength or strategic brilliance alone, but primarily to the direct intervention and constant protective presence of YHWH. This phrase functions as a concise summary and explanation for all the preceding accomplishments. It is a recurring theological motif in Samuel and especially in Chronicles, emphasizing divine faithfulness to the covenant with David. This divine preservation assures David's security, victory, and the establishment of his kingdom.

1 Chronicles 18 6 Bonus section

The Chronicler often highlights God's continuous presence and active preservation with His chosen leaders, more so than in the parallel account in 2 Samuel 8. This emphasis serves a pastoral and theological purpose for the post-exilic audience, reminding them of God's faithfulness and ability to restore His people even after hardship. The narrative of David's victorious reign, enabled by God's constant "preservation," offered hope and a template for their own restoration under God's blessing. It showcases the pattern of obedience leading to divine favor and expansion of God's kingdom.

1 Chronicles 18 6 Commentary

1 Chronicles 18:6 concisely encapsulates the Chronicler's primary theological agenda concerning King David: all David's power, military successes, and political influence were not a result of human might but direct divine favor. The subjugation of Damascus and the tribute-bearing Syrians were tangible evidence of the Lord's preserving hand. This verse sets the stage for David's prosperous reign, showing God's active fulfillment of His covenant promise to establish David's throne and make him great. The phrase "the Lord preserved David wherever he went" is a foundational declaration, framing every subsequent victory as divinely orchestrated. This constant divine backing enabled David to secure peace and resources essential for the future building of the Temple. This underscores that true victory and lasting peace come through obedience and reliance on God, not through military prowess alone.