1 Chronicles 19 19

1 Chronicles 19:19 kjv

And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.

1 Chronicles 19:19 nkjv

And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became his servants. So the Syrians were not willing to help the people of Ammon anymore.

1 Chronicles 19:19 niv

When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.

1 Chronicles 19:19 esv

And when the servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him. So the Syrians were not willing to save the Ammonites anymore.

1 Chronicles 19:19 nlt

When Hadadezer's allies saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to David and became his subjects. After that, the Arameans were no longer willing to help the Ammonites.

1 Chronicles 19 verses

1 Chronicles 19 19 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate consequence of the decisive defeat inflicted by Israel upon the Syrian forces, led by Hadarezer, during David's wars. Upon realizing their comprehensive defeat "before Israel"—implying God's hand in the victory—the defeated Syrian entities associated with Hadarezer sought peace terms with King David and submitted to him by serving him. Critically, this surrender also entailed a cessation of their military aid to the Ammonites, the initial aggressors, leaving the Ammonites isolated in their conflict with Israel.

1 Chronicles 19 19 Context

This verse concludes the major phase of David’s war against the Aramean coalition that had allied with the Ammonites. The conflict began with Hanun, the king of Ammon, severely insulting David’s messengers, breaking a perceived covenant of kindness. The Ammonites, fearing David's wrath, hired powerful Aramean mercenaries, including forces from Beth-Rehob, Zobah, Maacah, and Tob, led by Hadarezer of Zobah. Joab, David’s commander, initially faced the combined force. Recognizing the two-front threat, Joab deployed strategies to overcome the enemy. While Joab secured a victory over the Ammonites and their allies on one front, Hadarezer's forces, having retreated, re-mustered with reinforcements from across the Euphrates. This second, larger engagement directly involved King David himself leading the charge at Helam (1 Chr 19:16-17). David decisively defeated Hadarezer’s formidable army, killing 7,000 charioteers and 40,000 footmen (1 Chr 19:18).

Verse 19:19 describes the outcome of this pivotal victory. It signifies a profound shift in regional power. The Aramean states, having witnessed Hadarezer’s overwhelming defeat, chose submission over continued conflict. This effectively isolated the Ammonites and ensured Israel’s strategic dominance in the Levant, reflecting God's continued blessing and establishment of David's kingdom.

1 Chronicles 19 19 Word analysis

• And when: The Hebrew vayehi (וַיְהִי) serves as a common narrative connector, signifying a sequential and often consequential action following previous events. It highlights the direct result of Hadarezer's defeat.

• the servants of Hadarezer: The Hebrew ʿavde Hadadʿezer (עַבְדֵי הֲדַדְעֶזֶר) refers not merely to personal attendants but signifies the people, subject states, or vassal kings who were under Hadarezer's dominion and provided him with military contingents. Hadarezer of Zobah was a significant regional power, and his forces' surrender represented a major political shift.

• saw: The Hebrew ra’u (רָאוּ), from the verb ra’ah (רָאָה), means to physically see, but also to perceive or understand. Here, it denotes their clear comprehension and realization of their dire situation and irreversible defeat.

• that they were smitten: The Hebrew phrase ki niggᵉfū (כִּי נִגְּפוּ) uses the Niphal perfect form of the verb nāgaf (נָגַף), which means "to strike," "smite," or "defeat." The Niphal (passive voice) implies they "were struck down" or "were defeated," often by divine action or a superior force. It conveys the totality and decisive nature of the defeat inflicted upon them.

• before Israel: The Hebrew lifnê Yisrā'ēl (לִפְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) translates to "in the presence of Israel," or "at the hand of Israel." It underscores that the defeat was specifically inflicted by Israel's forces, guided by God, asserting Israel's divinely sanctioned authority and might.

• they made peace: The Hebrew vayyashlîmū (וַיַּשְׁלִימוּ) uses the Hiphil imperfect of the verb shālam (שָׁלַם), which means "to be complete, sound, peaceful." In the Hiphil, it means "to make peace," "come to terms," or "make reconciliation." This indicates a deliberate and formal act of seeking an end to hostilities and negotiating terms of submission.

• with David: The direct interaction "with David" highlights that the treaty and submission were personal to the King of Israel, recognizing his sovereignty and power over them.

• and served him: The Hebrew vayyaʿavdūhū (וַיַּעַבְדוּהוּ) from ʿābad (עָבַד) means "to serve," "to work," or "to become a servant." This signifies more than just peace; it denotes an act of vassalage, where they would likely pay tribute, provide resources, or perhaps offer military support to David, thereby acknowledging his political supremacy.

• neither would the Syrians help: The Hebrew wᵉlōʾ ’Ārām hôshîaʿ (וְלֹא אֲרָם הוֹשִׁיעַ) contains a strong negation (wᵉlōʾ "and not") and the term ’Ārām (אֲרָם) referring to the Arameans or Syrians. The verb hôshîaʿ (הוֹשִׁיעַ) is the Hiphil imperfect of yāshaʿ (יָשַׁע), meaning "to save" or "help." This crucial part of the verse states that the Syrian states that had been involved in the conflict would no longer provide military assistance or intervention to the Ammonites.

• the children of Ammon any more: The phrase bᵉnê ʿAmmôn ʿōd (בְנֵי עַמּוֹן עוֹד) explicitly names the Ammonites, the original antagonists. The addition of ʿōd (עוֹד), meaning "anymore" or "again," emphasizes the definitive nature of this cessation of aid, isolating the Ammonites strategically.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "smitten before Israel, they made peace with David, and served him": This sequence clearly illustrates the transformation from enemy resistance to compelled submission and loyalty. Their experience of overwhelming defeat "before Israel"—a strong implication of divine judgment or intervention—directly led to their decision to "make peace" and "serve" David, showcasing a change in political allegiance and tribute.
  • "neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more": This phrase underlines the profound strategic outcome of David's victory. The breaking of the crucial Syrian-Ammonite alliance effectively crippled the Ammonites' ability to wage further war independently. This marked the successful removal of a significant external threat that had been supporting Israel's enemies.

1 Chronicles 19 19 Bonus section

The parallel account in 2 Samuel 10:19 is virtually identical, emphasizing the importance of this event in establishing David’s dominion. This victory solidified David's regional hegemony and prepared the way for the later, conclusive subjection of Ammon itself (2 Sam 11-12, 1 Chr 20). The defeat of Hadarezer of Zobah was particularly significant, as he was a major player among the Aramean kingdoms. His defeat effectively curtailed Aramean influence westward into the Transjordan and toward Israel for a considerable period, bringing relative peace and stability to Israel's northern and eastern frontiers and allowing David to focus on other aspects of his kingdom and internal consolidation. This act of "making peace" and "serving" established a new international order reflecting God's promise to Abraham regarding the extent of the land and Israel's dominance over surrounding nations (e.g., Gen 15:18, Deut 11:24).

1 Chronicles 19 19 Commentary

First Chronicles 19:19 provides the powerful conclusion to a critical phase of David's military campaigns, highlighting the strategic ramifications of God's blessing on his kingdom. After being soundly defeated "before Israel," Hadarezer’s subordinate Aramean entities, perceiving their total vanquishing as an act rooted in divine endorsement of David, recognized the futility of continued opposition. Their subsequent actions—making peace and entering into vassalage—were not merely political maneuverings but forced acknowledgements of Israel's new dominance under God's chosen king.

The specific outcome, "neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more," reveals the strategic mastery God bestowed upon David. By crippling the strong Aramean alliance, David isolated the initial aggressors, the Ammonites, and consolidated Israel’s northern and eastern borders. This comprehensive victory stemmed not from human prowess alone, but from divine intervention, affirming the Chronicler's theological emphasis that Yahweh fights for His people. It demonstrated to both Israel and surrounding nations that God's power backed David, establishing security and allowing the expansion of his kingdom according to divine promise.