1 Chronicles 20:7 kjv
But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.
1 Chronicles 20:7 nkjv
So when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.
1 Chronicles 20:7 niv
When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.
1 Chronicles 20:7 esv
And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down.
1 Chronicles 20:7 nlt
But when he defied and taunted Israel, he was killed by Jonathan, the son of David's brother Shimea.
1 Chronicles 20 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 13:33 | "There we saw the Nephilim... and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers." | Describes giants (Nephilim) in Canaan. |
| Deut 2:10 | "The Emim formerly lived there, a people great and numerous..." | Mentions earlier giant peoples. |
| Deut 9:2 | "a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim..." | Describes Anakim giants. |
| Josh 14:12 | "...drive them out if the LORD is with me, just as the LORD promised." | Caleb driving out Anakim from Hebron. |
| 1 Sam 17:4 | "And there came out from the camps of the Philistines a champion named Goliath..." | Goliath defying Israel before David. |
| 1 Sam 17:26 | "...who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" | David's indignation at Goliath's defiance. |
| 1 Sam 17:36 | "Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them..." | David's trust in God against defiers. |
| 2 Sam 21:18 | "...Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Saph, who was one of the descendants of the giants." | Parallel account of another giant killed. |
| 2 Sam 21:20 | "...There was war again at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand, and six toes on each foot..." | Parallel account, similar context of giants. |
| 2 Sam 21:21 | "...When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, struck him down." | Exact parallel verse, word-for-word, in 2 Samuel. |
| 2 Sam 23:8 | "These are the names of the mighty men whom David had:" | Context of David's valiant warriors. |
| 1 Chr 11:10 | "Now these are the chiefs of the mighty men whom David had..." | Introduction to David's mighty men in Chronicles. |
| Isa 37:4 | "It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to taunt the living God..." | Example of an enemy defying God. |
| Jer 50:29 | "...against the one who defies the LORD..." | Prophetic warning against defying the Lord. |
| Psa 44:3 | "For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm bring them victory, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, because you favored them." | God's hand in Israel's victories. |
| Psa 60:12 | "Through God we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down our foes." | Reliance on God for victory. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | God's strength working through individuals. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God is for us, who can be against us?" | God's divine protection and assistance. |
| Heb 11:32-34 | "...who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire... put foreign armies to flight." | Heroes of faith who defeated enemies. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." | Emphasizes God's power, not human strength. |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." | God uses unlikely individuals for His purposes. |
1 Chronicles 20 verses
1 Chronicles 20 7 Meaning
This verse recounts the decisive defeat of one of the Philistine giants who had brazenly defied the nation of Israel. The giant was struck down by Jonathan, identified as the son of Shimea, who was David's own brother, thus connecting this significant victory to David's royal lineage and trusted associates. It underscores the Lord's continued deliverance of His people from formidable foes through His appointed leaders and their kin, reiterating His faithfulness to His covenant with David.
1 Chronicles 20 7 Context
This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles chapter 20, which is dedicated to recounting four significant battles against the Philistines. Specifically, the chapter details the defeat of four formidable giants from Gath, paralleling a similar account in 2 Samuel 21:15-22. These giants represented a continuing threat to Israel's security, remnants of the earlier inhabitants of Canaan whom the Israelites were commanded to dispossess. For the Chronicler, the inclusion of these accounts served to highlight the unwavering divine assistance provided to David and his valiant men, securing the land and thus enabling proper worship. This specific verse emphasizes that the triumph over "defiance" was not solely a task for David himself but extended to his loyal and courageous kinsmen, further underscoring the strength and unity of the kingdom under God's favor.
1 Chronicles 20 7 Word analysis
- When he defied: The Hebrew verb is ḥērēph (חרף), meaning to reproach, taunt, insult, or defy. This term signifies not just a military challenge but a verbal and spiritual affront. It strongly echoes the defiance of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, indicating that these Philistine giants were not merely physical threats but represented pagan powers challenging the living God of Israel. Their defiance was direct blasphemy against God's chosen people and His name.
- Israel: This collective term highlights that the giant's defiance was against the entire covenant nation, not just its army. It emphasizes that the victory was for all of God's people, safeguarding their corporate identity and standing before God. The struggle was cosmic in nature, with the honour of God's people tied to the honour of His name.
- Jonathan: Not to be confused with Saul's son Jonathan, this is a different individual. The Chronicler provides a clear lineage to distinguish him.
- the son of Shimea: Shimea (or Shimma, Shammah) was one of David's brothers (1 Sam 16:9; 1 Chr 2:13). This detail emphasizes the involvement of David's close family in the battles and highlights the valiant spirit within David's own kin, reflecting divine favour not just on David but on his extended family. It might also show the passing of valour or strength down the family line.
- David’s brother: This specification underscores the familial connection. It is not a distant warrior but someone from David's immediate family demonstrating courage and effectiveness in combat, reinforcing the legitimacy and divine support for David's royal line. It subtly implies a broader strength and capability within David's house.
- struck him down: The Hebrew verb is wayyakkēhû (ויכהו), meaning to strike, smite, or defeat. It denotes a decisive and complete victory, leaving no ambiguity about the giant's fate. It signifies an overwhelming triumph that removes the threat entirely.
1 Chronicles 20 7 Bonus section
The parallel accounts in 1 Chronicles 20 and 2 Samuel 21 show the Chronicler's particular interest in genealogies and identifying the specific heroes responsible for these victories. Unlike the immediate emphasis on the king (David) as the sole deliverer, these narratives spread the valor and effectiveness to his mighty men and even kinsmen, indicating a broader spectrum of God-empowered individuals fighting for Israel's cause. The eradication of these specific giants symbolizes the systematic cleansing of the land from the remaining ungodly strongholds. Each battle described is a direct divine intervention, a reaffirmation that no force, no matter how intimidating, can ultimately stand against God's people when they trust in Him and operate within His divine order. This chapter functions as a historical affirmation of the covenant blessing on the house of David—God grants victory through his associates and descendants, preparing the way for a secure kingdom and temple worship.
1 Chronicles 20 7 Commentary
1 Chronicles 20:7 portrays a critical moment where one of the recurring threats to Israel, a giant from Gath, is definitively neutralized by Jonathan, David's nephew. The repeated use of "defied Israel" throughout the chapter for these giants, just as it was used for Goliath, casts the encounters not merely as military skirmishes but as confrontations rooted in spiritual challenge. These Philistine champions stood as symbols of pagan strength and opposition to the living God and His covenant people. Jonathan's act of striking down the giant is more than just a heroic feat; it's an execution of divine judgment against those who mock God. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes this account to affirm God's enduring protection and faithfulness to His people, ensuring their security even when powerful, defiant adversaries rise. The participation of David's own kin further highlights the unified strength and divine anointing within the Davidic lineage, reassuring Israel that God's power would consistently manifest through His chosen line to ensure peace and enable worship. This act foreshadows a comprehensive triumph of good over evil.