BibleWord.ai›Bible›1 Chronicles›Chapter 18

1 Chronicles Chapter 18

Old Testament Historical 17 Verses

What is 1 Chronicles 18 about?

A priestly perspective on David's reign, his gathering of Temple materials, and preparations for Solomon's building project. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and its towns out of the hand of the Philistines.
2And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became servants to David, and brought tribute.
3And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to establish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen; and David hocked all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for a hundred chariots.
5And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succor Hadarezer king of Zobah, David smote of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
6Then David put [garrisons] in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.
7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
8And from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadarezer, David took very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
9And when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah,
10he sent Hadoram his son to king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadarezer and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had wars with Tou;) and [he had with him] all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
11These also did king David dedicate unto Jehovah, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah smote of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand.
13And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. And Jehovah gave victory to David whithersoever he went.
14And David reigned over all Israel; and he executed justice and righteousness unto all his people.
15And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
16and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and the sons of David were chief about the king.
← 1 Chronicles 171 Chronicles 19 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“DAVID SUBDUES THE PHILISTINES AND MOABITES. (Ch1 18:1-2) David . . . took Gath and her towns--The full extent of David's conquests in the Philistine territory is here distinctly stated, whereas in the parallel passage (Sa2 8:1) it was only described in a general way. Gath was the "Metheg-ammah," or "arm-bridle," as it is there called--either from its supremacy as the capital over the other Philistine towns, or because, in the capture of that important place and its dependencies, he obtained the complete control of his restless neighbors.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Gath and her towns - In Samuel, Methegammah (see the marginal reference note). return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 1 Chronicles 18". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/1-chronicles-18.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“18:1–20:8 This section recounts David’s wars and military achievements, presenting David as the great warrior of Israel’s history. This account relates the public and political aspects of David’s enemies, but it deals very little with their private affairs. • Three distinct sections reflect accounts in Samuel: (1) the battles in the expansion of the kingdom (18:1-17; see 2 Sam 8:1-16); (2) the battle against the Ammonites (1 Chr 19:1–20:3; see 2 Sam 10:1–11:1; 12:30-31); and (3) the exploits of David’s mighty men (1 Chr 20:4-8; see 2 Sam 21:18-22). Each section begins with a chronological transition (after this)…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 2964, bc 1040, An, Ex, Is, 451 after this: Sa2 8:1, 2-18 Gath: Sa1 5:8, Sa1 27:4; Sa2 1:20, Sa2 8:1, Metheg-ammah 1 Chronicles 18:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The events recorded in these three chapters are all narrated in the second book of Samuel also, and in the same order. First, there are grouped together in our 18th chapter, and in 2 Sam 8, in such a manner as to afford a general view of the whole, all the wars which David carried on victoriously against all his enemies round about in the establishment of the Israelitish rule, with a short statement of the results, followed by a catalogue of David's chief public officials. In 1 Chron 19 and in 2 Sam 10 we have a more detailed account of the arduous war against the Ammonites and Syrians, and in Ch1 20:1-3 and Sa2…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

1 Chronicles overviewCompare translationsOpen this chapter in the study reader

Sources and verification