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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Chronicles 19:16 - 19:19
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The Syrians Overthrown
v. 16. And 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, those from Mesopotamia proper, who had not come down for this campaign; and Shophach (or Shobach), the captain of the host of Hadarezer, went before them, as commander-in-chief of the united Syrian forces.
v. 17. And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel, the entire military forces of his realm, and passed over Jordan, and came upon them, evidently as they were approaching to attack him, and set the battle in array against them. This was at Helam, 2Sa_10:16-17. So when David had put the battle in array against the Syrians, they fought with him.
v. 18. But 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. In combining this account with that of 2Sa_10:18, we have the total list of those destroyed: 7,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 40,000 footmen.
v. 19. And when the servants of Hadarezer saw that they were put to the worse before Israel, that they were utterly defeated, having no chance to stand up before David's men, they made peace with David and became his servants, tributary vassals once more; neither would the Syrians help the children of Ammon any more, Thus the Lord crowns the labor of His believers with success, He lets their battles result in victory, all for the honor of His name, even if the spiritual victories are not always apparent to human eyes.