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1 Chronicles 20:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 20:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [to battle], that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and overthrew it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [to battle], that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and overthrew it.
1 Chronicles 20:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass, at the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out [to battle], that Joab led forth the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and overthrew it.
2And David took the crown of their king from off his head, and found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there were precious stones in it; and it was set upon David`s head: and he brought forth the spoil of the city, exceeding much.
3And he brought forth the people that were therein, and cut [them] with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. And thus did David unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
4And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines: then Sibbecai the Hushathite slew Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.
← 1 Chronicles 19:191 Chronicles 20:2 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“RABBAH BESIEGED BY JOAB, SPOILED BY DAVID, AND THE PEOPLE TORTURED. (Ch1 20:1-3) at the time when kings go out to battle--in spring, the usual season in ancient times for entering on a campaign; that is, a year subsequent to the Syrian war. Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country . . . of Ammon--The former campaign had been disastrous, owing chiefly to the hired auxiliaries of the Ammonites; and as it was necessary, as well as just, that they should be severely chastised for their wanton outrage on the Hebrew ambassadors, Joab ravaged their country and invested their capital, Rabbah. After a protracted siege, Joab took one part of it, the lower town or "city of waters,"…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This chapter, containing such other warlike exploits belonging to David’s reign as the writer of Chronicles thinks it important to put on record, is to be compared with the passages of Samuel noted in the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:1-3 This war against the Ammonites was the context of David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2–12:25), which the Chronicler omits.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 2969, bc 1035, An, Ex, Is, 456 And it came: Sa2 11:1 after the year was expired: Heb. at the return of the year, Kg1 20:22, Kg1 20:26; Kg2 13:20 wasted: Isa 6:11, Isa 54:16 Rabbah: Deu 3:11; Sa2 12:26, Sa2 17:27; Jer 49:2, Jer 49:3; Eze 21:20, Eze 25:5; Amo 1:14 Joab smote: Sa2 11:16-25, Sa2 12:26-31 1 Chronicles 20:2”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Chronicles 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification