1 Chronicles 19 17

1 Chronicles 19:17 kjv

And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

1 Chronicles 19:17 nkjv

When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and came upon them, and set up in battle array against them. So when David had set up in battle array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

1 Chronicles 19:17 niv

When David was told of this, he gathered all Israel and crossed the Jordan; he advanced against them and formed his battle lines opposite them. David formed his lines to meet the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him.

1 Chronicles 19:17 esv

And when it was told to David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to them and drew up his forces against them. And when David set the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.

1 Chronicles 19:17 nlt

When David heard what was happening, he mobilized all Israel, crossed the Jordan River, and positioned his troops in battle formation. Then David engaged the Arameans in battle, and they fought against him.

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 17 Meaning

1 Chronicles 19:17 describes David's resolute and strategic response upon hearing about the renewed threat from the Syrian (Aramaean) allies of the Ammonites. It highlights his direct involvement, indicating a full national mobilization ("all Israel") and a methodical military advance. David personally leads the assembled forces across the Jordan River, confronting the enemy head-on and meticulously preparing his army for battle. This verse underscores David's leadership, military prowess, and the unified commitment of Israel in defending the kingdom.

1 Chronicles 19 17 Context

The events of 1 Chronicles 19 precede this verse. David had attempted to show kindness to Hanun, the new king of Ammon, by sending envoys to console him after his father's death. However, Hanun, misled by his advisors, humiliated David's envoys, triggering a full-scale war. In the preceding verses (1 Chr 19:6-15), the Ammonites hired powerful Syrian (Aramean) mercenaries. Joab, David's military commander, successfully engaged the Ammonites and their initial Syrian allies, putting them to flight. However, the Syrians regrouped under Shophach (or Shobach) and reinforced their army at Helam, posing a continuing and significant threat to Israel. Verse 17 depicts David's response to this renewed and formidable Syrian gathering, necessitating his personal leadership in a climactic engagement. The book of Chronicles often highlights David's righteous leadership and God's blessings upon his kingdom, particularly in military victories that secured the promised land boundaries.

1 Chronicles 19 17 Word analysis

• And when it was told to David: (וַיּוּגַד, vayyugad - from נגד, nagad, Hifil passive) This signifies a report reaching David. The passive voice ("it was made known") implies crucial intelligence was conveyed, likely detailing the Syrians' regrouping and heightened threat, which immediately prompted his decisive action.
• he gathered: (וַיִּקְבֹּץ, vayyiqbots - from קבץ, qabats, "to assemble, collect"). This action reveals David's immediate and strategic military mobilization.
• all Israel: (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, kol-Yisrael). Emphasizes the total mobilization of the nation's military strength under David's direct command, indicating the severity of the threat and the kingdom's unity. It highlights David's supreme authority as king and the nationwide response.
• and passed over: (וַיַּעֲבֹר, vayya'avor - from עבר, avar, "to cross over, pass through"). Denotes movement across a geographical barrier, the Jordan River, signaling an aggressive, purposeful advance into the conflict zone. This crossing underscores David's commitment to take the fight to the enemy.
• Jordan: (הַיַּרְדֵּן, haYarden). The significant river defining Israel's eastern boundary, its crossing indicates moving beyond typical defense and directly engaging the foreign enemy in their territory.
• and came upon them: (וַיָּבֹא עֲלֵיהֶם, vayyavo aleihem - from בוא, bo', "to come, enter", with al, "upon/against"). Signifies a direct and confrontational approach, arriving to engage the enemy rather than merely observing. It conveys the determined purpose of David's advance.
• and set the battle in array against them: (וַיַּעֲרֹךְ אֶת־הַמִּלְחָמָה לָהֶם, vayya'arokh et-hammilchamah lahem - from ערך, arakh, "to arrange, set in order, draw up in battle formation"). This term is a technical military phrase emphasizing meticulous preparation and strategic organization of forces. It speaks to David's competence as a general.

Words-group analysis:

• "And when it was told to David, he gathered all Israel": This phrase portrays David as a responsible and decisive king. Upon receiving critical intelligence, he swiftly exercises his royal authority, mobilizing the entire nation. This immediate and comprehensive response underscores both the magnitude of the threat and David's capacity for effective leadership and national unity.
• "and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them": This sequence details David's proactive and strategic military deployment. The act of "passing over Jordan" symbolizes moving into enemy territory with offensive intent. "Came upon them" shows direct confrontation, while "set the battle in array" indicates a carefully planned and executed military formation, rather than a disorganized attack, showcasing David's seasoned generalship.
• "So when David had set the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him": This re-emphasizes David's direct command and preparation for the battle against the specific enemy, the Syrians (Aram). The repetition of "set the battle in array" (though with a slight variation in the original Hebrew verb for emphasis on the final arrangement) highlights David's personal engagement in organizing the troops. "They fought with him" confirms the initiation of the decisive engagement under David's leadership, setting the stage for the climactic outcome.

1 Chronicles 19 17 Bonus section

• The parallel account in 2 Samuel 10:17 often includes the specific location of Helam (or Chaelam), where the Syrians had gathered. While 1 Chronicles 19:17 is more concise on geographical specifics, both accounts emphasize David's direct command in this crucial battle.
• The Chronicler's emphasis on "all Israel" being gathered by David reflects a broader theological concern in Chronicles: the unity of the twelve tribes under God-ordained kingship. Even in this early kingdom period, David is portrayed as unifying the nation for God's purposes.
• The term "set the battle in array" is indicative of formal warfare between established states. It contrasts with more chaotic skirmishes and highlights the professionalism of David's army. This systematic approach also indirectly speaks to a trust in divine guidance, as proper preparation often aligns with wise leadership in God's plan.

1 Chronicles 19 17 Commentary

1 Chronicles 19:17 vividly portrays King David's decisive and personal involvement in leading his army against a formidable and regrouped Syrian threat. Following Joab's initial engagement, the resurgence of Syrian forces necessitated David's direct command, signaling the gravity of the situation. His swift response in "gathering all Israel" indicates a national call to arms, uniting the entire kingdom in defense against a common external threat. The act of "passing over Jordan" symbolizes a strategic, determined offensive, carrying the fight directly to the enemy rather than merely defending Israelite territory. The emphasis on "setting the battle in array" underscores David's military acumen, showing that his leadership was not only about assembling forces but also about intelligent preparation and tactical organization. This verse establishes the context for a major conflict that ultimately resulted in David's continued military successes and God's strengthening of his kingdom, reflecting the chronicler's theme of divine favor upon the Davidic line.