Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as the king of Maakah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba, while the Ammonites were mustered from their towns and moved out for battle. New Living Translation They also hired 32,000 chariots and secured the support of the king of Maacah and his army. These forces camped at Medeba, where they were joined by the Ammonite troops that Hanun had recruited from his own towns. English Standard Version They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and came to battle. Berean Standard Bible So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle. Berean Literal Bible And they hired for themselves two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, and they came in and encamped before the face of Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came in to the battle. King James Bible So 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. New King James Version So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, with the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. Also the people of Ammon gathered together from their cities, and came to battle. New American Standard Bible So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped opposite Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to the battle. NASB 1995 So they hired for themselves 32,000 chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to battle. NASB 1977 So they hired for themselves 32,000 chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to battle. Legacy Standard Bible So they hired for themselves 32,000 chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came to battle. Amplified Bible So they hired for themselves 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah and his troops, who came and camped before Medeba. And the Ammonites gathered together from their cities and came to battle. Berean Annotated Bible So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah (oppression) with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba (water of rest) while the Ammonites (tribal) were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle. Christian Standard Bible They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle. Holman Christian Standard Bible They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites also came together from their cities for the battle. American Standard Version So 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. Contemporary English Version Thirty-two thousand troops, as well as the king of Maacah and his army, came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonite troops also left their towns and came to prepare for battle. English Revised Version So they hired them thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cites, and came to battle. GOD'S WORD® Translation They hired 32,000 chariots and the king of Maacah with his army. They camped near Medeba. The Ammonites gathered for the battle from their cities. Good News Translation The thirty-two thousand chariots they hired and the army of the king of Maacah came and camped near Medeba. The Ammonites too came out from all their cities and got ready to fight. International Standard Version They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who arrived and encamped at Medeba. The Ammonites also were mustered and came out to battle from their home cities. NET Bible They hired 32,000 chariots, along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and camped in front of Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and marched out to do battle. New Heart English Bible So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and camped before Medeba. The people of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. Webster's Bible Translation So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the children of Ammon assembled from their cities, and came to battle. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle. World English Bible So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people, who came and encamped near Medeba. The children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they hire for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, and they come in and encamp before Medeba, and the sons of Ammon have been gathered out of their cities, and come to the battle. Berean Literal Bible And they hired for themselves two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, and they came in and encamped before the face of Medeba. And the sons of Ammon gathered together from their cities and came in to the battle. Young's Literal Translation and they hire to them two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, and they come in and encamp before Medeba, and the sons of Ammon have been gathered out of their cities, and come in to the battle. Smith's Literal Translation And they will hire to them two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people, and they will come and encamp before Medeba. And the sons of Ammon were gathered together from their cities, and they will come to the battle. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they hired two and thirty thousand chariots, and the king of Maacha, with his people. And they came and camped over against Medaba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together out of their cities, and came to battle. Catholic Public Domain Version And they hired thirty-two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah with his people. When these had arrived, they made camp in the region opposite Medeba. Also, the sons of Ammon, gathering from their cities, went to war. New American Bible They hired thirty-two thousand chariots along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and came out for war. New Revised Standard Version They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah with his army, who came and camped before Medeba. And the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and came to battle. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible- - - Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they hired for themselves thirty two thousand horsemen, and the King of Kharan, and the King of Adum, and the King of Aram Nahrayn, and the King of Netsibin and their armies, and they came and they encamped before Medeba, and the sons of Amon were assembled from their cities and they came to the battle. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David's Messengers Disgraced…6When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire for themselves chariots and horsemen from Aram-naharaim, Aram-maacah, and Zobah. 7So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots, as well as the king of Maacah with his troops, who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites came from their cities and marched out for battle. 8On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.… Cross References So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots 1 Samuel 13:5 Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven. Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. as well as the king of Maacah with his troops 2 Samuel 10:6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. Joshua 13:13 but the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. So Geshur and Maacath dwell among the Israelites to this day. who came and camped near Medeba Joshua 13:9 The area from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley, along with the city in the middle of the valley, the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon, Numbers 21:30 But we have overthrown them; Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon. We demolished them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.” Isaiah 15:2 Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off. while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities 2 Samuel 10:8 The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. 2 Samuel 10:9 When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. 2 Chronicles 20:1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. and marched out for battle Judges 20:20 And the men of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin and took up their battle positions at Gibeah. Joshua 8:14 When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. 1 Samuel 17:2 Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 18:5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of their men. Treasury of Scripture So 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. hired 1 Chronicles 18:4 And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven thousand horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them an hundred chariots. Exodus 14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. Judges 4:3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. 1 Chronicles 10:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. 1 Chronicles 21:7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel. the king of Maachah. Medeba Numbers 21:30 We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba. Joshua 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; Isaiah 15:2 He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. Jump to Previous Ammon Ammonites Army Assembled Battle Camped Charioteers Chariots Children Cities Encamped Gathered Hired Maacah Ma'acah Maachah Medeba Med'eba Moved Mustered Pitched Themselves Thirty Thirty-Two Thousand Together TownsJump to Next Ammon Ammonites Army Assembled Battle Camped Charioteers Chariots Children Cities Encamped Gathered Hired Maacah Ma'acah Maachah Medeba Med'eba Moved Mustered Pitched Themselves Thirty Thirty-Two Thousand Together Towns1 Chronicles 19 1. David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun, are villainously treated6. The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, are overcome by Joab and Abishai 16. Shobach, making a new supply of the Syrians, is slain by David So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots The Ammonites, feeling threatened by David's growing power, sought to strengthen their military by hiring mercenaries. The use of chariots in ancient warfare was a significant advantage, as they provided speed and mobility on the battlefield. This large number of chariots indicates the seriousness of the threat perceived by the Ammonites. Chariots were often associated with the military might of nations like Egypt and the Hittites, and their use here underscores the scale of the conflict. The hiring of such a large force also reflects the wealth and resources available to the Ammonites. as well as the king of Maacah with his troops who came and camped near Medeba while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle Persons / Places / Events 1. AmmonitesA group of people descended from Lot, often in conflict with Israel. In this passage, they are preparing for battle against Israel. 2. King of Maacah A regional king who allied with the Ammonites by providing troops for their cause. 3. Medeba A city located in the region of Moab, significant as a strategic military location in this account. 4. Chariots Symbolic of military strength and power in ancient warfare, representing the hired forces by the Ammonites. 5. Troops The soldiers from Maacah and other regions who joined the Ammonites in their military campaign. Teaching Points Reliance on Human Strength vs. Divine PowerThe Ammonites' hiring of chariots and troops illustrates a reliance on human strength. Believers are reminded to trust in God's power rather than worldly resources. The Consequences of Alliances The alliance between the Ammonites and the king of Maacah shows how alliances can lead to conflict. Christians should consider the spiritual implications of their partnerships and associations. Strategic Planning in Spiritual Warfare Just as the Ammonites strategically positioned themselves at Medeba, believers are called to be strategic in their spiritual battles, using prayer and scripture as their primary tools. The Importance of Obedience to God’s Commands The historical context of Israel's relationship with the Ammonites underscores the importance of obeying God's commands regarding relationships with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 19:7?2. How does 1 Chronicles 19:7 illustrate the consequences of opposing God's people? 3. What can we learn about alliances from 1 Chronicles 19:7's "hire chariots and horsemen"? 4. How does this verse connect with God's protection in Psalm 91:11? 5. How can we apply the lesson of 1 Chronicles 19:7 in modern conflicts? 6. What does 1 Chronicles 19:7 teach about the futility of relying on human strength? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Chronicles 19:7? 8. How does 1 Chronicles 19:7 reflect the military strategies of ancient Israel? 9. What theological message is conveyed through the hiring of chariots and horsemen in 1 Chronicles 19:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 19? 11. Why do 1 Chronicles 19 and 2 Samuel 10 present slight variations in numbers and details of the battles, and which version is more historically accurate? 12. How reliable is the claim (1 Chronicles 19:6-7) that the Ammonites could hire such a large mercenary force, given the era's limited military resources? 13. Why does 1 Chronicles 19:2-3 portray the Ammonite advisers interpreting David's gesture as hostility, while other ancient sources rarely mention such extreme suspicion? 14. Can archaeological evidence substantiate the extensive alliances and conflicts described in 1 Chronicles 19, or is there a lack of supporting records? What Does 1 Chronicles 19:7 Mean So they hired for themselves thirty-two thousand chariots• The Ammonites’ first move is to purchase overwhelming military technology instead of seeking the Lord. Chariots were the ancient equivalent of tanks—fast, intimidating, and expensive (2 Samuel 10:6 says they paid 1,000 talents of silver). • Their trust in horsepower contrasts sharply with God’s warning to Israel’s kings in Deuteronomy 17:16 not to “multiply horses,” reminding us that safety comes from God, not machinery (Psalm 20:7). • Solomon would later capture and disable enemy chariots (1 Chronicles 18:4), proving that human might never guarantees victory when God intervenes (Judges 4:15). as well as the king of Maacah with his troops • Maacah was a small Aramean (Syrian) kingdom north of the Ammonites (Joshua 13:11). By hiring its king, the Ammonites broaden the coalition against Israel, hoping strength in numbers will prevail. • Such alliances echo earlier attempts to curse or oppose Israel through hired help—Balak and Balaam in Numbers 22, or Moab and Ammon in 2 Chronicles 20:1–2. Each time, God turned human schemes into an opportunity to showcase His sovereignty. • This king submits to cash rather than conviction, illustrating Proverbs 21:30: “There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.” who came and camped near Medeba • Medeba lay on a plateau east of the Dead Sea, inside territory originally given to Reuben (Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:16). Camping here threatens Israel’s borders and signals confidence that the coalition can march wherever it pleases. • Israel had won Medeba generations earlier, yet now foreign armies presume to occupy it—showing how quickly ground is lost when God’s people relax their guard (Judges 2:10–14). • Psalm 46:2–3 reminds us that even when enemies “rage,” believers stand firm because “God is our refuge and strength.” while the Ammonites were mustered from their cities and marched out for battle • Ammon’s own troops join the hired forces, combining local knowledge with foreign hardware. The text emphasizes their unity of purpose—to destroy David’s army (1 Chronicles 19:8). • This mirrors Psalm 2:1–3, where “the kings of the earth take their stand … against the LORD and against His Anointed.” David, the anointed king, typifies Christ, and human coalitions still rise against Him (Acts 4:25–28). • Yet 1 Chronicles 19:13 will record Joab’s rally cry: “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God; may the LORD do what is good in His sight.” God’s will, not coalition size, determines the outcome (Proverbs 19:21). summary 1 Chronicles 19:7 portrays a massive, multifaceted enemy preparing to crush Israel: 32,000 chariots, a foreign king, strategic positioning at Medeba, and a fully mobilized Ammonite nation. The verse highlights humanity’s instinct to trust money, machinery, and alliances rather than God. It sets the stage for the Lord to defend His covenant people and display that no coalition can stand when He fights for them. The believer reading today is invited to reject self-reliance and place full confidence in the Lord of hosts, whose plans always prevail. (7) So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people.--The account which the chronicler has followed here did not state the relative strength of the contingents, yet its estimate of the total number of the allied forces is in substantial accord with that of Samuel. The chronicler puts the total at 32,000 + the Maachathite contingent; Samuel at 32,000 + 1,000 Maachathites. The expression "32,000 chariotry" (rekeb) is not to be pressed. The writer wished to lay proper stress on the chariots and cavalry as the chief arm of the Aramaean states, and at the same time to be as concise as possible. That he was not thinking of 32,000 chariots in the literal sense is clear, (1) because he must have known that an army would not consist of chariots only; (2) in 1Chronicles 18:4 he had already assigned to the army of Zobah its natural proportions of chariots, cavalry, and infantry. (Comp. 1Chronicles 19:18, below.) The present text of Samuel can hardly be right, as it makes the whole army consist of infantry. (Comp. 2Samuel 8:4.) The great plains of Aram were a natural training-ground for horsemen and charioteers.Who came and pitched (their camp) before Medeba.--Another detail peculiar to the Chronicles. Medeba, the meeting-place of the Aramaean forces, lay south-east of Heshbon, on a site now known as Madibiya. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves . . .--The muster of the Ammonites is not mentioned in Samuel. Verse 7. - Thirty and two thousand chariots. The reading in the parallel place is evidently what is intended (comp. 1 Chronicles 18:4 with its parallel, 2 Samuel 8:4). Clearly a stop should follow the numeral, which designates the number of the men under arms. Medeba. Some four miles south-cast of Heshbon (Numbers 21:30; Joshua 13:9, 16; Isaiah 15:2), or others give it as nine miles. It is not given in Samuel.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So they hiredוַיִּשְׂכְּר֣וּ (way·yiś·kə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7936: To hire for themselves לָהֶ֡ם (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew thirty-two שְׁנַיִם֩ (šə·na·yim) Number - md Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) thousand אֶ֜לֶף (’e·lep̄) Number - masculine singular Strong's 505: A thousand chariots, רֶ֗כֶב (re·ḵeḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7393: A vehicle, a team, cavalry, a rider, the upper millstone as well as וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the king מֶ֤לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Maacah מַעֲכָה֙ (ma·‘ă·ḵāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4601: Maacah -- an Israelite name, also a non-Israelite name, also a region in Syria with his troops, עַמּ֔וֹ (‘am·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock who came וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and camped וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ (way·ya·ḥă·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp near לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face Medeba מֵידְבָ֑א (mê·ḏə·ḇā) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4311: Medeba -- a city in Moab while the Ammonites וּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son came from their cities מֵעָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם (mê·‘ā·rê·hem) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement and marched out נֶאֶסְפוּ֙ (ne·’es·p̄ū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove for battle. לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃ פ (lam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4421: A battle, war Links 1 Chronicles 19:7 NIV1 Chronicles 19:7 NLT 1 Chronicles 19:7 ESV 1 Chronicles 19:7 NASB 1 Chronicles 19:7 KJV 1 Chronicles 19:7 BibleApps.com 1 Chronicles 19:7 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 19:7 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 19:7 French Bible 1 Chronicles 19:7 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Chronicles 19:7 So they hired them thirty-two thousand chariots (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
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