Question 1

What does 1 Chronicles 18:5 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 18:5 describes how, when soldiers from Damascus (Syrians) came to help Hadarezer, the king of Zobah, King David defeated them and killed twenty-two thousand of their men. This verse shows David’s military strength and the scale of his victory over those who opposed him. The verse is part of a historical account in which the writer tells how David expanded his kingdom by defeating neighboring enemies. The Syrians of Damascus came to support Hadarezer against David, but David’s forces overcame them decisively. This event highlights the alliances and conflicts among ancient kingdoms in the region during David’s reign.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 18:5

Accepted Answer

דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Damméseq, "Damascus"): This word refers to the important city and region of Damascus, showing that the Syrians who came were from a significant and powerful area. עָזַר (ʿāzar, "help"): The Syrians came specifically to assist Hadarezer, emphasizing the alliance between these neighboring kingdoms against David. הִכָּה (hikkāh, "slew" or "struck down"): This verb often means to strike or defeat in battle, highlighting the completeness of David’s victory.

Question 3

Why 1 Chronicles 18:5 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse clarifies that David’s victories were not just against isolated enemies, but also against coalitions of powerful kingdoms, showing the extent of his military success. It shows the political landscape of the time, where alliances were quickly formed to resist a rising power like David’s Israel. The scale of the defeat (twenty-two thousand men) underlines how significant this battle was in establishing David’s dominance in the region.

1 Chronicles 18:5 (KJV)