Chapter 20
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of 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 destroyed 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 also exceeding much spoil out of the city.
3And he brought out the people that were in it, and cut them with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with 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; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
5And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.
6And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot and he also was the son of the giant.
7But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.
8These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.
“And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah.”
Overview
Joab leads the army to besiege Rabbah of the Ammonites, and David takes the crown from their king's head. The Chronicler notably omits the Bathsheba episode, moving directly from the siege to the victories over Philistine giants at Gezer and Gath, where David's warriors slay descendants of the giants.
Key Themes
The Chronicler's Selective Focus
The omission of the Bathsheba narrative is deliberate — Chronicles focuses on David as the ideal king and temple planner, not his personal failures.
Victory Over the Giants
David's men continue to defeat Philistine giants, showing that the spirit of courage that slew Goliath continues in David's warriors.
The Completion of Conquest
The defeat of Ammon and the Philistine giants demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's victory through David's kingdom.
Study Questions
Why does the Chronicler omit the story of David and Bathsheba?
What does the defeat of the Philistine giants by David's warriors teach about the influence of godly leadership?
How does the taking of the Ammonite crown symbolize God's exaltation of David?
What is the significance of the Chronicler's selective presentation of David's reign?
How does the courage of David's warriors in fighting giants inspire believers facing their own 'giants'?
Connection to Christ
The victories over the giants continue the theme that began with David and Goliath — God's people, empowered by faith, triumph over seemingly invincible foes. This points to Christ's ultimate victory over Satan, the greatest enemy, who was defeated at the cross. The crown taken from Ammon and placed on David's head anticipates the 'many crowns' on Christ's head (Revelation 19:12).
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 1 Chronicles 20. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?