1 Chronicles 19 14

1 Chronicles 19:14 kjv

So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:14 nkjv

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:14 niv

Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:14 esv

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him.

1 Chronicles 19:14 nlt

When Joab and his troops attacked, the Arameans began to run away.

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 14 Meaning

1 Chronicles 19:14 describes a pivotal moment in the battle between David's forces, led by Joab, and the Arameans. It states that Joab and his troops advanced determinedly towards the Aramean army, and upon their approach, the Arameans immediately fled from Joab. This signifies a swift and decisive victory for Israel in that particular engagement, demonstrating military prowess and effectiveness on the part of Joab and his army.

1 Chronicles 19 14 Context

This verse is set during a significant military campaign initiated by King David. Chapter 19 details David's response to an egregious insult by Hanun, the king of Ammon, who humiliated David's envoys. This act provoked war between Israel and Ammon, leading to Ammon hiring the powerful Arameans (Syrians) as allies. The narrative recounts that the combined Ammonite and Aramean forces arrayed themselves against Israel. To counter this two-front threat, Joab, David's military commander, divided Israel's army, taking a portion to confront the Arameans while his brother Abishai led the rest against the Ammonites. Joab's strategic speech in the preceding verse (1 Chr 19:13) encouraged courage and a trust in God's will ("let the Lord do what seems good to him"). Verse 14 is the immediate fulfillment and outcome of Joab's tactical deployment against the Arameans. Historically, David's reign was characterized by expansion and consolidation of his kingdom through numerous military victories, often attributed to the Lord's help. This battle highlights the strength of David's military under skilled leadership and God's providential hand in upholding the Davidic kingdom.

1 Chronicles 19 14 Word analysis

• So (וַיִּקְרַב - wa-yiq-rav): This Hebrew verb (a waw-consecutive imperfect form of the root qarab) literally means "and he drew near" or "and he approached." The "So" indicates a direct consequence or continuation of the preceding actions and strategy laid out by Joab. It signifies deliberate and decisive action.
• Joab (יוֹאָב - Yo'av): David's seasoned commander-in-chief, known for his strategic acumen, courage, and sometimes ruthless efficiency. His presence signifies a professional and formidable military leader. The victory is implicitly attributed to his leadership and execution.
• and the people (וְהָעָם - wə-hā-ʻām): Refers to the Israelite soldiers under Joab's command. This emphasizes the unified action of the army, not just Joab as an individual. It points to a cohesive and obedient fighting force.
• who were with him (אֲשֶׁר עִמּוֹ - ’ă-šer ‘im-mō): Further specifies the particular contingent of Israelite soldiers accompanying Joab against the Arameans. It denotes their direct allegiance and shared engagement with Joab.
• drew near (וַיִּקְרַב - wa-yiq-rav): Repetition of the initial verb "So Joab...drew near," emphasizing the offensive initiative. This was not a defensive stance but an assertive move to engage the enemy. It shows their readiness for combat.
• before (אֶל-פְּנֵי - ’el-pə-nê): Literally "to the face of" or "in the presence of." This conveys a direct, face-to-face confrontation, highlighting the intensity of the moment of engagement.
• the Arameans (אֲרָם - ’ă-rām): The Syrians, a powerful and well-regarded military force from the north, hired by the Ammonites. Confronting them directly speaks to Israel's military confidence. Their flight is thus a significant sign of Israel's strength.
• for battle (לַמִּלְחָמָה - lam-mil-ḥā-māh): Clearly states the explicit purpose of their advance: direct military engagement. It wasn't a skirmish but a prepared, decisive battle.
• and they fled (וַיָּנֻסוּ - way-yā-nu-sū): A critical verb (from the root nus, to flee, escape). The waw-consecutive imperfect indicates an immediate and complete rout. It shows the suddenness and totality of their retreat, implying either strategic brilliance, fear induced by Joab's advance, or a providential element.
• before him (לְפָנָיו - lə-pā-nāw): This implies that their flight was directly due to Joab's presence and the advance of his forces. The focus is on Joab's decisive impact, through whom God's favor and Israel's strength were manifested.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So Joab and the people who were with him drew near...for battle": This phrase portrays Joab as the resolute leader initiating the assault. It shows the cohesion of the Israelite army and their unified purpose in confronting a formidable enemy. This reflects Joab's strategic deployment and execution of the plan devised.
• "before the Arameans": Highlights the direct and open confrontation with a powerful external foe. The "face-to-face" aspect suggests the gravity and readiness of the impending combat.
• "and they fled before him": This simple declarative sentence encapsulates the decisive outcome. The swift flight of the Arameans validates Joab's strategy and the Israelite army's strength, often understood within Chronicles as a sign of God's hand blessing David's kingdom when acting righteously and with courage.

1 Chronicles 19 14 Bonus section

The account in Chronicles generally abbreviates detailed battle narratives found in the parallel book of Samuel, often focusing on the immediate results and the larger theological implications for Israel and David's monarchy. The brevity of "and they fled before him" (וַיָּנֻסוּ לְפָנָיו) underscores the complete and unchallenged nature of the Israelite victory on this front, serving to underscore God's unwavering support for David. This efficiency in victory against such a strong foe reinforces the idea that the Lord was fighting for David's kingdom. The rapid flight also saves Israel from prolonged, costly combat, which itself can be seen as a blessing. This instance also sets a tone for David's larger military campaigns, where strong, determined action, rooted in God-given wisdom (as Joab often demonstrates), brings swift and often decisive results.

1 Chronicles 19 14 Commentary

1 Chronicles 19:14 concisely narrates the successful execution of Joab's military strategy against the Arameans. Following his encouraging words in the previous verse to fight courageously for their God and people, Joab demonstrates this very courage by leading a direct assault. The immediate and complete flight of the Arameans is the striking outcome, highlighting Israel's military might under Joab's leadership. Chronicles, in its retelling of Israel's history, frequently emphasizes divine favor and human obedience as keys to victory. While God's direct intervention is not explicitly stated in this verse, the swift and overwhelming success against a formidable enemy is consistent with the Chronicler's theme of God granting victory to those who walk in His ways and show courageous faith. This outcome can be seen as a direct consequence of Joab's strategic insight combined with the Lord's hand ensuring the Davidic kingdom's success.