1 Chronicles 19 13

1 Chronicles 19:13 kjv

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

1 Chronicles 19:13 nkjv

Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

1 Chronicles 19:13 niv

Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight."

1 Chronicles 19:13 esv

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him."

1 Chronicles 19:13 nlt

Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done."

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 13 Meaning

1 Chronicles 19:13 conveys a profound principle of faithful living, especially in challenging circumstances. It is Joab's rallying cry to his brother Abishai and the troops, urging them to act with bravery and resolute purpose in defending God's people and cities. Despite their determined effort, the verse concludes with a humble submission to God's ultimate sovereignty, recognizing that the outcome of their endeavors rests entirely in His good and wise will. This highlights a dynamic interplay between human responsibility and divine control.

1 Chronicles 19 13 Context

First Chronicles chapter 19 describes David's war with the Ammonites and their Syrian allies. This conflict began after King Hanun of Ammon deeply insulted David's envoys, who had been sent to offer condolences on the death of Hanun's father. This act of grave disrespect escalated into war. Joab, David's military commander, and his brother Abishai were sent to face the combined Ammonite and Syrian forces. Joab, facing a battle on two fronts (Ammonites in front, Syrians behind), divided his army, sending Abishai against the Ammonites while he himself faced the Syrians. It is at this critical juncture, immediately before the battle commences, that Joab delivers the powerful exhortation found in verse 13. This historical context underscores the severe stakes of the conflict – the honor of David, the safety of Israel, and ultimately, the glory of God. Joab's words serve as a vital command for courageous action tempered by profound trust in divine providence, essential for military and spiritual fortitude in ancient Israel.

1 Chronicles 19 13 Word analysis

• "Be of good courage,":

  • Original Hebrew: Chazaq (חֲזַק), often rendered as "be strong" or "take courage." It implies not just psychological bravery but a resolute firmness and inner strength.
  • Significance: This is a divine imperative, often spoken by God or His representatives (e.g., Joshua) to instill unwavering resolve in the face of daunting challenges, based on trust in God's presence and power. It's a foundational command for righteous action.

• "and let us play the men":

  • Original Hebrew: Nitchazzēq (נִתְחַזֵּק), derived from the same root chazaq. The Hithpael stem denotes reflexive or intensive action, meaning "to make ourselves strong," "show ourselves brave," or "act like men."
  • Significance: This goes beyond passive courage; it calls for actively demonstrating strength, manliness, and duty. In this context, it implies fighting valiantly and fulfilling one's duty with honor and bravery, refusing to be timid or weak. It’s a collective call to robust action.

• "for our people,":

  • Original Hebrew: La'ameinu (לְעַמֵּנוּ). Refers to the people of Israel, God's covenant nation.
  • Significance: The motivation for their courage and action is not personal gain or glory, but the welfare and protection of their fellow Israelites. This emphasizes a selfless, communal commitment and patriotism.

• "and for the cities of our God:":

  • Original Hebrew: Ule'arei Eloheinu (וּלְעָרֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ). "Cities" denotes the physical dwelling places and centers of life for the people. "Our God" (Elohim) grounds this defense in the divine, indicating these cities are under God's protective sovereignty.
  • Significance: This elevates the conflict beyond mere geopolitical interest to a sacred duty. Defending the cities is defending God's territorial claim and His people, thus upholding the sanctity of the Promised Land.

• "and the Lord":

  • Original Hebrew: Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), referring to YHWH, the covenant name of God.
  • Significance: This directly attributes the ultimate authority and power over all outcomes to the God of Israel, acknowledging His preeminence and control over human endeavors and the flow of history.

• "do that which seemeth him good.":

  • Original Hebrew: Ya'aseh asher yitav b'einav (יַעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב בְּעֵינָיו), literally "He will do that which is good in His eyes."
  • Significance: This powerful phrase is an expression of profound submission and trust in divine sovereignty. Despite human effort and courage, the ultimate success or failure, or the form the outcome takes, rests in God's perfect wisdom and will. It highlights that God's perspective on "good" is ultimate, releasing humans from the anxiety of ultimate success while still demanding their diligent participation. It is an act of faith that God's plans are perfect and for their good.

• "Be of good courage, and let us play the men": This combination is a holistic command emphasizing both inner strength (courage) and its outward manifestation through actions befitting valor and duty. It means to act heroically and with commitment, aligning personal conduct with a brave and strong character. This duality ensures that their resolve translates into effective, noble conduct on the battlefield.

• "for our people, and for the cities of our God": This phrase details the beneficiaries and the sacred stakes of the conflict. It's a defense not just of territory or abstract ideas, but of living people and their divinely-allotted, divinely-protected dwelling places. It transforms a military conflict into a religiously motivated act of protection and preservation. The order of "people" then "cities" suggests that the human lives are primary, and the cities are their secure habitation under God's blessing.

• "and the Lord do that which seemeth him good": This concluding phrase provides the theological framework for the entire exhortation. It encapsulates the paradox of active human duty balanced with passive reliance on divine sovereignty. While urging maximum effort, it removes the burden of ultimate control or success from human hands, placing it squarely on God's wise and benevolent will. This teaches submission, humility, and faith in God's unfailing Providence, even in the most perilous situations.

1 Chronicles 19 13 Bonus section

• The passage from 1 Chronicles 19 is paralleled in 2 Samuel 10, often referred to as a "doublet." While the narratives are very similar, Chronicles typically emphasizes themes of obedience, worship, and God's sovereignty more explicitly for its post-exilic audience, reinforcing the theological significance of Joab's statement.
• The phrase "play the men" (or "act like men") is not merely about male gender identity but encapsulates mature responsibility, steadfastness, and integrity expected from those entrusted with a sacred task. It's a call to exemplify the highest virtues of commitment and courage in duty, reflecting spiritual strength as much as physical.
• This verse serves as a powerful biblical model for navigating situations where one must exert maximum effort while acknowledging ultimate limits. It teaches active participation in divine purpose, rather than passive waiting, yet completely entrusts the result to a higher power, thus avoiding both fatalism and humanistic pride.
• The emphasis on "cities of our God" elevates the entire engagement to a holy war in defense of divine interests, ensuring the warriors understand their purpose beyond mere tribal or nationalistic objectives, but as a direct service to YHWH.

1 Chronicles 19 13 Commentary

1 Chronicles 19:13, spoken by Joab before a critical battle, is a masterful declaration blending military wisdom with profound spiritual insight. It instructs the warriors to possess inner resolve ("be of good courage") and to outwardly demonstrate it through valiant action ("let us play the men"). This courage and effort are explicitly tied to selfless objectives: the welfare of "our people" and the protection of "the cities of our God." This frames the conflict not just as a territorial dispute but as a sacred duty to God and His chosen nation.

Crucially, the verse culminates in an unparalleled act of submission and faith: "and the Lord do that which seemeth him good." This isn't an excuse for inaction but the opposite: after dedicating their maximum effort, skill, and bravery, they surrender the outcome to God's supreme will. This acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over all events, affirming that His plan is ultimate, wise, and always good. It relieves them of the impossible burden of ensuring victory, allowing them to fight with a peace rooted in divine providence. This timeless principle is a cornerstone for all believers: strive diligently in obedience and faith, but trust God implicitly with the results, knowing His perfect will shall prevail. This fosters resilience and spiritual freedom in any undertaking, reminding us that success, in God's eyes, is ultimately His prerogative.