War with Ammon and Syria
1 Chronicles 19
This chapter tells how the king of Ammon humiliated David's messengers of condolence, provoking war, and how David's forces under Joab and Abishai defeated the combined armies of Ammon and their hired Syrian allies.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW after these things, when Naas king of the Ammonites died and his son Anan reigned in his stead,
BrentonAnd it came to pass after this, that Naas the king of the children of Ammon died, and Anan his son reigned in his stead.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα ἀπέθανε Ναὰς βασιλεῦς υἱῶν Ἀμμών, καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν Ἀνὰν υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVNow it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
JPSAnd it came to pass after this, that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon died, and his son reigned in his stead.
2
ThomsonDavid said, I will shew kindness to Anan son of Naas as his father shewed kindness to me. So David sent messengers to comfort him for his father. But when David’s servants came to the country of the Ammonites to Anan to comfort him,
BrentonAnd David said, I will act kindly toward Anan the son of Naas, as his father acted kindly towards me. And David sent messengers to condole with him on the death of his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Anan, to comfort him.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ, Ποιήσω ἔλεος μετὰ Ἀνὰν υἱοῦ Ναὰς, ὡς ἐποίησεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ μετʼ ἐμοῦ ἔλεος· καὶ ἀγγέλοους ἀγγέλους Δαυὶδ τοῦ παρακαλέσαι αὐτὸν περὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἦλθον παῖδες Δαυὶδ εἰς γῆν νἱῶν Αμμὼν πρὸς Ἀνὰν τοῦ παρακαλέσαι αὐτόν.
KJVAnd David said, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father shewed kindness to me. And David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. So the servants of David came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
JPSAnd David said: ‘l will show kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.’ So David sent messengers to comfort him concerning his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon to Hanun, to comfort him.
3
Thomsonthe chiefs of the Ammonites said to Anan, Is it to honour thy father in thy presence that David hath sent comforters to thee? Is it not that they may examine the city and spy the country that his servants are come to thee?
BrentonAnd the chiefs of the children of Ammon said to Anan, Is it to honour thy father before thee, that David has sent comforters to thee? Have not his servants come to thee that they might search the city, and to spy out the land?
GreekΚαὶ εἶπον ἄρχοντες υἱῶν Ἀμμὼν πρὸς Ἀνάν, Μὴ δοξάζων Δαυὶδ τὸν πατέρα σου ἐναντίον σου ἀπέστειλέ σοι παρακαλοῦντας; οὐχ ὅπως ἐξερενήσωσι τὴν πόλιν, καὶ τοῦ κατασκοπῆσαι τὴν γῆν, ἦλθον παῖδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς σέ;
KJVBut the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?
JPSBut the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun: ‘Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?’
4
ThomsonThereupon Anan took David’s servants and shaved them, and having cut off the half of their military robe even to the under garment, he dismissed them.
BrentonAnd Anan took the servants of David, and shaved them, and cut off the half of their garments as far as their tunic, and sent them away.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἁνὰν τοὺς παῖδας Ααυὶδ, καὶ ἐξύρησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἀφεῖλε τῶν μανδυῶν αὐτῶν τὸ ἥμισυ ἕως τῆς ἀναβολῆς, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτούς.
KJVWherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the midst hard by their buttocks, and sent them away.
JPSSo Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their hips, and sent them away.
5
ThomsonAnd when messengers came to inform David respecting his servants, David sent to meet them, because they had been greatly dishonoured; and the king said to them, Abide at Jericho till your beards grow and then return.
BrentonAnd there came men to report to David concerning the men: and he sent to meet them, for they were greatly disgraced: and the king said, Dwell in Jericho until your beards have grown, and return.
GreekΚαὶ ἦλθον ἀπαγγεῖλαι τῷ Δαυὶδ περὶ τῶν ἀνδρῶν· καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἦσαν ἠτιμωμένοι σφόδρα· καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς, Καθίσατε ἐν Ἱερειχὼ ἕως τοῦ ἀνατεῖλαι τοὺς πώγωνας ὑμῶν, καὶ ἀνακάμψατε.
KJVThen there went certain, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them: for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
JPSThen there went certain persons, and told David how the men were served. And he sent to meet them; for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said: ‘Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.’
6
ThomsonNow when the Ammonites saw that David’s people were dishonoured, Anan and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and cavalry from Syrian Mesopotamia, and from Syrian Maacha and from Sobal.
BrentonAnd the children of Ammon saw that the people of David were ashamed, and Anan and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen out of Syria of Mesopotamia, and out of Syria Maacha, and from Sobal.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδον οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν ὅτι ἠπχὺνθη λαὸς Δαυίδ, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἁνὰν καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν χίλια τάλαντα ἀργυρίου τοῦ μισθώσασθαι ἑαυτοῖς ἐκ Συρίας Μεσοποταμίας καὶ ἐκ Συρίας Μααχὰ καὶ παρὰ Σωβὰλ ἅρματα καὶ ἱππεῖς.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 Aram-naharaim, and out of Aram-maacah, and out of Zobah.
7
ThomsonAnd they hired thirty-two thousand of the chariot army, and the king of Maacha and his people. And when they arrived they encamped over against Medaba, and the Ammonites were drawn together out of their cities, and came to commence war.
BrentonAnd they hired for themselves two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacha and his people; and they came and encamped before Medaba: and the children of Ammon assembled out of their cities, and came to fight.
Greekκαὶ ἐμισθώσαντο ἑαυτοῖς δύο καὶ τριάκοντα χιλιάδας ἁρμάτων, καὶ τὸν βασιλέα Μααχὰ καὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἦλθον καὶ παρενέβαλον κατέναντι Μηδαβά· καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν συνήχθησαν ἐκ τῶν πόλεων αὐτῶν, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὸ πολεμῆσαι.
KJVSo they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
JPSSo they hired them thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people; who came and encamped before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
8
ThomsonWhen David heard this he sent Joab with all the army of the worthies.
BrentonAnd David heard, and sent Joab and all the host of mighty men.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσεν Δαυίδ, καὶ απέστειλε τὸν Ἰωὰβ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν στρατίαν τῶν δυνατῶν.
KJVAnd when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
JPSAnd when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men.
9
ThomsonAnd the Ammonites came out and drew up in array for battle before the gate of the city; but the kings who had come, encamped by themselves in the plain.
BrentonAnd the children of Ammon came forth, and set themselves in array for battle by the gate of the city: and the kings that were come forth encamped by themselves in the plain.
Greekκαὶ ἐξῆλθον οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν, καὶ παρατάσσονται εἰς πόλεμον παρὰ τὸν πυλῶνα τῆς πόλεως· καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ ἐλθόντες παρενέβαλον καθʼ ἑαυτοὺς ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ·
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the children of Ammon came out and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
10
ThomsonWhen Joab saw that they were arrayed for battle against him both in front and rear, he made a draught out of all the youth of Israel and drew them up in array against the Syrians.
BrentonAnd Joab saw that they were fronting him to fight against him before and behind, and he chose some out of all the young men of Israel, and they set themselves in array against the Syrian.
Greekκαὶ εἶδεν Ἰωὰβ ὅτι γεγόνασιν ἀντιπρόσωποι τοῦ πολεμεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν κατὰ πρόσωπον καὶ ἐξόπισθε, καὶ ἐξελέξατο ἐκ παντὸς νεανίου ἐξ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ παρετάξαντο ἐναντίον τοῦ Σύρου.
KJVNow when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians.
JPSNow when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Arameans.
11
ThomsonAnd the rest of the people he put under the command of Abesai his brother, and they were drawn up in array against the Ammonites.
BrentonAnd the rest of the people he gave into the hand of his brother Abesai, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
Greekκαὶ τὸ κατάλοιπον τοῦ λαοῦ ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρὶ Ἀβεσσὰ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρετάξαντο ἐξεναντίας υἱῶν Ἀμμών.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the rest of the people he committed into the hand of Abishai his brother, and they put themselves in array against the children of Ammon.
12
ThomsonAnd Joab said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, thou must come to my assistance; and if the children of Ammon prove too strong for thee I will support thee.
BrentonAnd he said, If the Syrian should prevail against me, then shalt thou deliver me: and if the children of Ammon should prevail against thee, then will I deliver thee.
Greekκαὶ εἶπεν, Ἐὰν κρατήσῃ ὑπὲρ ἐμὲ Σύρος, καὶ ἔσῃ μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν· καὶ ἐὰν υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν κρατήσωσιν ὑπὲρ σέ, καὶ σώσω σε.
KJVAnd he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
JPSAnd he said: ‘If the Arameans be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee.
13
ThomsonBe of good courage and let us act valiantly for our people and for the cities of our God, and the Lord will do what is good in His sight.
BrentonBe of good courage, and let us be strong, for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord shall do what is good in his eyes.
Greekκαὶ Κύριος τὸ ἀγαθὸν ποιήσει.
KJVBe of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
JPSBe of good courage, and let us prove strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good.’
14
ThomsonAnd when Joab and the people with him drew up in array for battle over against the Syrians they fled from them.
BrentonSo Joab and the people that were with him set themselves in battle array against the Syrians, and they fled from them.
GreekΚαὶ παρετάξατο Ἰωὰβ καὶ ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετʼ αὐτοῦ κατέναντι Σύρων εἰς πόλεμον, καὶ ἔφυγον ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVSo Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.
JPSSo Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh unto the battle to meet the Arameans; and they fled before him.
15
ThomsonAnd soon as the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled they also fled before Abesai and before Joab his brother, and entered the city. Upon which Joab returned to Jerusalem.
BrentonAnd the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians fled, and they also fled from before Abesai, and from before Joab his brother, and they came to the city: and Joab came to Jerusalem.
Greekκαὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἀμμὼν εἶδον ὅτι ἔφυγον Σύροι, καὶ ἔφυγον καὶ αὐτοὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἰωὰβ καὶ ἀπὸ προσώπου ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὴν πόλιν· καὶ ἦλθεν Ἰωὰβ εἰς Ἰερουσαλήμ.
KJVAnd when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
JPSAnd when the children of Ammon saw that the Arameans were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.
16
ThomsonWhen the Syrian saw that Israel had defeated him, he despatched messengers and drew out the Syrians from beyond the river. And Sophath the general of Adraazar’s army was at their head.
BrentonAnd the Syrian saw that Israel had defeated him, and he sent messengers, and they brought out the Syrians from beyond the river; and Sophath the commander-in-chief of the forces of Adraazar was before them.
GreekΚαὶ εἶδεν Σύρος ὅτι ἐτροπώσατο αὐτὸν Ἰσραήλ, καὶ ἀπέστειλαν ἀγγέλους· καὶ ἐξήγαγον τὸν Σύρον ἐκ τοῦ πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ Σωφὰρ ἀρχιστράτηγος δυνάμεως Ἁδραάζαρ ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd when the Syrians saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and drew forth the Syrians that were beyond the river: and Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.
JPSAnd when the Arameans saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they sent messengers, and brought out the Arameans that were beyond the River, with Shophach the captain of the host of Hadarezer at their head.
17
ThomsonThis being told David, he assembled all Israel and crossed the Jordan and came upon them, and drew up for battle against them. And while David was marshalling his army for battle against the Syrians, they attacked him;
BrentonAnd it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and crossed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So David set his army in array to fight against the Syrians, and they fought against him.
Greekκαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Δαυείδ, καὶ συνήγαγεν τὸν πάντα Ἰσραήλ, καὶ διέβη τὸν Ἰορδάνην καὶ ἦλθεν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς καὶ παρετάξατο ἐπʼ αὐτούς. καὶ παρατάσσεται Σύρος ἐξ ἐναντίας Δαυεὶδ καὶ ἐπολέμησαν αὐτόν.
KJVAnd it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
JPSAnd it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan, and came upon them, and set the battle in array against them. So when David had put the battle in array against the Arameans, they fought with him.
18
Thomsonbut the Syrians fled before Israel, and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand of the chariot army, and forty thousand infantry. He slew also Sophath the general of the army.
BrentonAnd the Syrians fled from before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand riders in chariots, and forty thousand infantry, and he slew Sophath the commander-in-chief of the forces.
Greekκαὶ ἔφυγεν Σύρος ἀπὸ προσώπου Δαυείδ, καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν Δαυεὶδ ἀπὸ τοῦ Σύρου ἐπτὰ χιλιάδας ἁρμάτων καὶ τεσσεράκοντα χιλιάδας πεζῶν, καὶ τὸν Σαφὰθ ἀρχιστράτηγον δυνάμεως ἀπέκτεινεν.
KJVBut the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
JPSAnd the Arameans fled before Israel; and David slew of the Arameans the men of seven thousand chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach the captain of the host.
19
ThomsonAnd when the servants of Adraazar saw that they were defeated before Israel, they made peace with David and served him. And the Syrians would not help the Ammonites any more.
BrentonAnd the servants of Adraazar saw that they were defeated before Israel, and they made peace with David and served him: and the Syrians would not any more help the children of Ammon.
Greekκαὶ εἶδον παῖδες Ἁδραάζαρ ὅτι ἐπταίκασιν ἀπὸ προσώπου Ἰσραήλ, καὶ διέθεντο μετὰ Δαυεὶδ καὶ ἐδούλευσαν αὐτῷ· καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Σύρος τοῦ βοηθῆσαι Ἀμμὼν ἔτι.
KJVAnd when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and became his servants: neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more.
JPSAnd when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, they made peace with David, and served him; neither would the Arameans help the children of Ammon any more.