And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

1 CHRONICLES 19:6KJV
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1 Chronicles 19:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 19:6 mean?

1 Chronicles 19:6 describes how the Ammonites realized they had deeply offended King David, so Hanun and his people paid a huge sum of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from neighboring regions, including Mesopotamia, Syriamaachah, and Zobah, to prepare for war. This verse shows the Ammonites’ response to their strained relationship with Israel and their attempt to strengthen themselves with outside help.

The setting is after Hanun, king of Ammon, insulted David’s messengers, leading to tension between Israel and Ammon. Fearing retaliation, the Ammonites sought military support by hiring mercenaries from powerful neighboring areas. This action sets the stage for the conflict that follows in the chapter, highlighting the seriousness of the offense and the lengths the Ammonites went to defend themselves.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 19:6

  • The word "odious" (נִבְאַשׁ, niv'ash) means to become repulsive or detestable. This word shows that the Ammonites understood their actions had made them truly hated in David’s eyes, not just mildly disliked.
  • "Hire" (שָׂכַר, sakhar) is used for paying wages or hiring services. The use here emphasizes that the Ammonites did not just ask for help—they paid a large sum, showing their desperation and the seriousness of the threat they felt.
  • "Thousand talents of silver" (אֶלֶף כִּכָּר כֶּסֶף, elef kikkar kesef) refers to an enormous amount of money, underlining how much the Ammonites were willing to invest in their defense.

Why 1 Chronicles 19:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Ammonites’ actions were not a minor insult but a major offense that required a significant response, both diplomatically and militarily.
  • The mention of specific regions—Mesopotamia, Syriamaachah, and Zobah—shows the scale of the alliance against Israel and hints at the broader regional tensions at play.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why the following battles in the chapter are so intense and why David’s response is so forceful.

Where else these words appear

“Mesopotamia” Hebrew H763 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Deuteronomy 23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
  • Judges 3:10 And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim.

“Hanun” Hebrew H2586 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Samuel 10:1 And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Samuel 10:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.

“Zobah” Hebrew H6678 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:47 So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines: and whithersoever he turned himself, he vexed them.
  • 2 Samuel 8:12 Of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah.
  • 1 Kings 11:23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

“odious” Hebrew H887 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • 2 Samuel 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.