And 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.

1 CHRONICLES 20:3KJV
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1 Chronicles 20:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 20:3 mean?

1 Chronicles 20:3 describes how David dealt harshly with the people of the Ammonite cities he conquered, using saws, iron tools, and axes on them, and then returned with his army to Jerusalem. The verse highlights the severity of David’s actions against the Ammonites after capturing their cities.

This verse is part of a historical account where David, the king of Israel, leads his army against the Ammonites, a neighboring people who were often in conflict with Israel. The text focuses on the aftermath of a military victory, describing how David treated the captured people and emphasizing the thoroughness of his campaign before returning to his capital, Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 20:3

  • The word "cut" (שָׂרַט, sarat, H7787) is often understood as a verb meaning to cut or saw, which in this context suggests a harsh or violent treatment of the captured people. Some translations and scholars debate whether this means literal execution or forced labor with these tools.
  • "Saws" (מְגֵרָה, megerah, H4050) and "harrows of iron" (חָרִיץ, charitz, H2757; בַּרְזֶל, barzel, H1270) refer to heavy, sharp tools made of iron, emphasizing the severity or intensity of the punishment or labor imposed.
  • The word "axes" (מְגֵרָה, megerah, H4050) is the same as "saws" in the Hebrew, which may indicate a range of cutting tools rather than distinct implements, adding to the uncertainty about whether the people were executed or put to forced labor.

Why 1 Chronicles 20:3 matters

  • This verse can be misunderstood as only describing execution, but the original Hebrew words allow for the possibility that David forced the Ammonites into hard labor using these tools, not just violence.
  • The verse shows the completeness of David’s victory and the seriousness with which he treated enemy cities, which connects to the broader theme of Israel’s military campaigns in this part of Chronicles.
  • Understanding the harshness described here helps explain why David’s reign was seen as both powerful and, at times, controversial, especially in how he dealt with conquered peoples.

Where else these words appear

“saws” Hebrew H4050 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
  • 1 Kings 7:9 All these were of costly stones, according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws, within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside toward the great court.

“harrows” Hebrew H2757 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
  • 2 Samuel 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
  • Psalms 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

“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.