1 Chronicles 20

At the time of the return of the year, at the time when kings go out, Joab led out the army and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Joab struck Rabbah, and overthrew it.

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. It was set on David’s head, and he brought very much plunder out of the city.

He brought out the people who were in it, and had them cut with saws, with iron picks, and with axes. David did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were subdued.

Again there was war with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

There was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had twenty-four fingers and toes, six on each hand and six on each foot; and he also was born to the giant.

When he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.

These were born to the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records military campaigns conducted by David’s forces against the Ammonites and Philistines, highlighting Israel’s expansion and consolidation of power under David’s leadership. Though David remains in Jerusalem during the siege of Rabbah, his armies achieve decisive victories, including the defeat of formidable warriors descended from the giants of Canaan. The chapter emphasizes divine favor on David’s reign through military success, fulfilling earlier promises of security and dominance over Israel’s enemies.

Flow.

Joab defeats the Ammonites and captures Rabbah, while David stays in Jerusalem, symbolizing his kingly authority even in absence.
David claims the Ammonite king’s crown and subjugates the people with severe measures, asserting dominance.
Successive battles with the Philistines result in the deaths of several giant warriors, including one with twenty-four digits, underscoring the removal of monstrous threats.
The victories are attributed to David and his servants collectively, reinforcing the unity and divine empowerment of his army.

Connections.
Following chapter 19, which details Joab’s initial campaign against the Ammonites and their allies, chapter 20 resolves the conflict with the fall of Rabbah and the subjugation of Ammon. The narrative shifts from coalition warfare to specific encounters with Philistine giants, preparing the reader for the subsequent focus on David’s personal and national stability in chapter 21, which begins with a pivotal act of pride—David’s census. The military triumphs here set the stage for the transition from war to peace, underlining the height of David’s power just before the narrative turns inward to examine spiritual failure and its consequences.

What it teaches.
The victories over the Ammonites and Philistines reflect God’s faithfulness to His covenant with David (2 Sam. 7; cf. WCF 7.4, 25.2), fulfilling promises of rest from surrounding enemies. The defeat of the giants—descendants of the Rephaim—echoes earlier conquests under Joshua (Deut. 2:10–11) and confirms that the land is being cleared of its former strongholds, as required for Israel’s possession (WCF 7.3, 20.4). The involvement of David’s servants in killing these warriors shows that God raises up servants for His purposes, not only David alone (cf. HC LD 32). The severity toward the Ammonites reflects the justice executed upon nations opposing God’s people, in line with holy war principles (Deut. 20; WCF 19.2), while the repeated divine enablement of victory underscores that triumph comes from the Lord (WCF 16.5).

Apply.
The Lord uses both leaders and ordinary servants to accomplish His purposes, entrusting authority and strength according to His will.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.