And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.

1 CHRONICLES 19:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 19:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 19:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 19:11 describes how Joab, the commander of Israel’s army, put the rest of his troops under the command of his brother Abishai to face the Ammonite army. This verse shows a strategic division of Israel’s forces in preparation for battle against their enemies.

Joab is leading Israel’s army in a conflict with two groups: the Ammonites and their hired Aramean allies. To handle the threat, Joab splits his forces, giving Abishai command over part of the army to confront the Ammonites directly. This move sets up the battle plan and highlights the cooperation between the two brothers as military leaders.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 19:11

  • “Rest” (יֶתֶר, yeter): This word refers to what remains or the remainder. Here, it means the portion of the army not directly under Joab’s immediate command, showing a careful allocation of troops.
  • “Delivered” (נָתַן, natan): This verb means to give or place into someone’s hand. Joab entrusts Abishai with real authority, not just temporary oversight.
  • “Set themselves in array” (עָרַךְ, arakh): This word means to arrange or organize for battle. It emphasizes that Abishai’s troops were not just present but actively positioned and ready for combat.
  • “Against” (קָרָא, qara): This word can mean to meet or encounter, often in a confrontational sense. Here, it highlights the direct opposition between Abishai’s forces and the Ammonites.

Why 1 Chronicles 19:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s military response was organized and strategic, not chaotic or haphazard, with clear leadership roles assigned.
  • The verse highlights the trust and cooperation between Joab and Abishai, which is significant in the broader narrative of Israel’s military history.
  • Understanding this division of forces helps make sense of the battle’s outcome and the teamwork required to face multiple enemies at once.

Where else these words appear

“Abishai” Hebrew H52 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 10:10 And the rest of the people he delivered into the hand of Abishai his brother, that he might put them in array against the children of Ammon.
  • 2 Samuel 20:6 And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

“array” Hebrew H6186 · used in 71 verses

  • Genesis 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela(the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
  • 1 Samuel 17:8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.
  • Job 32:14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

“Ammon” Hebrew H5983 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 19:38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
  • Judges 11:36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:9 And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.