1 Chronicles 19 15

1 Chronicles 19:15 kjv

And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:15 nkjv

When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai his brother, and entered the city. So Joab went to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:15 niv

When the Ammonites realized that the Arameans were fleeing, they too fled before his brother Abishai and went inside the city. So Joab went back to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:15 esv

And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab's brother, and entered the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19:15 nlt

And when the Ammonites saw the Arameans running, they also ran from Abishai and retreated into the city. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 15 Meaning

First Chronicles 19:15 describes a pivotal moment in the battle between the combined forces of Israel and the Ammonite-Syrian coalition. Following the defeat and disarray of their Syrian allies by Joab's division, the Ammonite forces, realizing their compromised position, hastily retreated from the open field of battle back into the safety of their fortified city. This specific maneuver was prompted by the effective engagement and pursuit by Abishai's contingent, and it marks a turning point where Israel achieved a significant military advantage, allowing Joab, as the supreme commander, to consolidate the victory and return with his forces to Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes the immediate consequence of the Syrian defeat: the flight of the Ammonites and the conclusion of this phase of the military engagement.

1 Chronicles 19 15 Context

First Chronicles 19:15 is situated within the narrative of David's wars, specifically the conflict arising from the Ammonites' egregious insult to David's envoys, who were sent to convey condolences upon the death of King Nahash. This act of national humiliation (shaving beards, cutting garments) precipitated a declaration of war. The Ammonites, sensing the impending conflict, hired vast numbers of Syrian mercenaries from various kingdoms (Beth-rehob, Zobah, Maacah, Tob).

The preceding verses (1 Chr 19:7-14) detail Joab's shrewd military strategy. Recognizing the dual threat, Joab divided the Israelite army: he commanded the elite troops himself against the Syrians, while Abishai, his brother, led the remainder against the Ammonites. They made an agreement to support each other should one front face overwhelming pressure. This verse, 19:15, describes the immediate consequence of Joab's successful engagement against the Syrians. The Syrians are "routed," leading to the Ammonites' flight, effectively collapsing their allied offensive and forcing them back into their defensive strongholds. Joab's subsequent return to Jerusalem signifies the initial, decisive victory and the end of the pitched battle, setting the stage for the siege mentioned later in the chapter. Historically, this incident reflects David's expansion and consolidation of his kingdom's influence and authority in the Transjordan region against long-standing enemies.

1 Chronicles 19 15 Word analysis

• And when the Ammonites:
  • Ammonites (Hebrew: עַמּוֹן, Ammon): Descendants of Ben-Ammi, son of Lot, living in Transjordan. Historically, they were perennial adversaries of Israel, known for their aggressive and often cruel disposition (e.g., Judg 10:6-9, 1 Sam 11). Their defiance here triggered the war.
• saw that the Syrians:
  • saw (Hebrew: וַיִּרְאוּ, wayyīrʾū): Qal imperfect consecutive from rāʾāh, "to see." Emphasizes immediate perception and reactive action. They observed the reality of their allies' defeat.
  • Syrians (Hebrew: אֲרָם, Arām): Refers to the various Aramean kingdoms (such as Aram-Zobah) from Mesopotamia who were hired by the Ammonites as mercenaries. They were a powerful, organized fighting force, yet were defeated by David's army.
• were routed, they fled before Abishai:
  • routed (Hebrew: נֶעֱכְּרוּ, neʿekkĕrū): Nifal perfect from ʿākar, meaning "to be troubled, thrown into confusion, scattered, defeated." It denotes utter disorganization and collapse, not just a retreat but a decisive breaking of ranks and loss of effectiveness in battle. This signifies a complete and devastating defeat inflicted by Joab.
  • fled (Hebrew: נָסוּ, nāsū): Qal perfect from nûs, "to flee, escape." Direct action of flight due to fear and overwhelming defeat. This action is distinct from the Syrian routing; it is the Ammonite reaction to their allies' defeat.
  • before Abishai (Hebrew: מִפְּנֵי אֲבִישַׁי, mippənê ʾĂḇîšay): "From the face of Abishai" or "because of Abishai." This indicates that Abishai's forces were pressing the Ammonites directly, causing their retreat. It highlights Abishai's active and successful engagement in their specific sector of the battlefield. Abishai, Joab's brother, was known for his personal bravery and leadership in the fiercest fighting.
• and entered the city.
  • entered (Hebrew: וַיָּבֹאוּ, wayyābōʾū): Qal imperfect consecutive from bōʾ, "to come, go, enter." This signifies a tactical retreat into their fortifications for safety, typically Rabbah of the Ammonites (cf. 1 Chr 20:1). It highlights their attempt to escape the immediate slaughter and re-group within protective walls.
  • the city: Most likely refers to Rabbah, the capital city of Ammon (present-day Amman, Jordan). Entering the city walls provided immediate refuge and defensive advantage against the pursuing Israelite forces.
• Then Joab returned to Jerusalem.
  • Then Joab returned (Hebrew: וַיָּשׇׁב יוֹאָב, wayyāšōḇ Yôʾāḇ): Qal imperfect consecutive from šûḇ, "to return." This marks the strategic decision of the overall commander. Having broken the enemy's coalition and achieved a decisive field victory, Joab did not immediately press a full siege.
  • to Jerusalem: The capital of David's kingdom. Joab's return implies the successful conclusion of the immediate objective – routing the allied forces – and possibly the need to regroup, report to David, and plan for the subsequent siege, which would come later (1 Chr 20:1).

1 Chronicles 19 15 Bonus section

The account in 1 Chronicles 19:15 (and its parallel in 2 Samuel 10:14) focuses on the successful military operation and its immediate aftermath, setting the stage for the protracted siege of Rabbah in the following chapter. It highlights the coordinated efforts of Joab and Abishai as principal commanders, reinforcing their prowess in David's army. The Ammonites' swift flight into the city indicates a wise tactical decision from their perspective to preserve their remaining forces, avoiding total annihilation in the open field and buying time to defend from within fortifications. The Chronicler's specific mention of "Abishai" further amplifies his role and valor in driving back the Ammonites directly, making it clear who was responsible for the pressure on their front. This level of detail about military movements often serves to demonstrate God's providence and empowerment for David's kingdom, showcasing that even mighty coalitions fall when God is with His people.

1 Chronicles 19 15 Commentary

First Chronicles 19:15 captures the strategic climax of the initial phase of the war with the Ammonites and Syrians. The key here is the sequence of events and their underlying military and spiritual implications. The routing of the Syrians by Joab’s forces signals not just a defeat, but a complete disintegration of their fighting capacity. This disarray directly impacted the Ammonites' morale and battlefield resolve. Seeing their powerful allies annihilated, the Ammonites, faced directly by Abishai's relentless pursuit, had no choice but to flee for the safety of their city walls. This immediate and reactive retreat underscores the psychological impact of battlefield success.

Joab's subsequent return to Jerusalem is not an act of abandoning the campaign but a calculated move by a seasoned commander. It signifies that the primary objective of breaking the combined enemy threat in the open field was accomplished. The war shifted from an open-field confrontation to a future siege, necessitating new preparations. The Chronicler emphasizes not only the valor of David's commanders but also, implicitly, God's favor on Israel's military actions, which brought such a swift and decisive victory against formidable foes. This event demonstrates the effectiveness of unified leadership and tactical division of forces.

• Practical Usage: This verse illustrates the importance of targeting a perceived strong point of opposition (the Syrians) to break the morale of the entire resistance (Ammonites). It teaches that victory on one front can lead to disarray and collapse on others. Similarly, in spiritual battles, defeating strongholds (2 Cor 10:4) can lead to the overall weakening of enemy influence.