What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 20:3? David brought out the people who were there “David brought out the people who were there…” (1 Chronicles 20:3). • The setting is the final capture of Rabbah, the Ammonite capital (1 Chronicles 20:1–2; 2 Samuel 12:26–29). • After a city fell, Old Testament law allowed Israel to take the inhabitants as spoils of war (Deuteronomy 20:13–14). David literally “brought out” the surviving population, asserting covenant-king authority over a hostile nation that had mocked and attacked Israel (1 Chronicles 19:1–5). • This removal also neutralized future rebellion, much as David stationed garrisons in conquered Aram (2 Samuel 8:6). Put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes “…and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes.” • The parallel text explains, “He set them to work at the saws and iron picks and axes” (2 Samuel 12:31). The phrase points to conscripted labor, not execution. • The tools named are for cutting wood and dressing stone—materials needed for the king’s building projects that would soon include stockpiling supplies for the temple (1 Chronicles 22:2–4; compare 1 Kings 5:13-18; 9:20-21). • As with the Gibeonites centuries earlier—“woodcutters and water carriers” (Joshua 9:23)—the Ammonites became tribute labor. God’s Word records this without apology, showing how the conqueror rightfully redirected enemy strength to bless God’s covenant people. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities “And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities.” • David applied a uniform policy, preventing any pocket of resistance and ensuring steady resources for Israel (2 Samuel 12:31; cf. Deuteronomy 20:15 for distant cities). • This fulfilled God’s promise that Israelite kings would “subdue all enemies” (2 Samuel 7:9). • For the Ammonites, forced labor replaced their previous oppression of Israel; for Israel, it meant security without overtaxing their own citizens—a wise administrative move echoed later by Solomon (1 Kings 9:20-22). Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem “Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.” • With the campaign finished, the army re-entered the capital in victory, just as David had done after earlier wars (1 Chronicles 18:14; 2 Samuel 11:1). • Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center, now benefited from new labor supplies and spoils (1 Chronicles 20:2). • The verse closes the narrative gap created by David’s previous sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). God’s discipline had run its course; the king was restored to active leadership, and Israel enjoyed peace under his God-given rule. summary 1 Chronicles 20:3 records David’s post-victory policy: removing Ammonite survivors, conscripting them for labor with saws, picks, and axes, applying the same treatment throughout Ammon, and then returning to Jerusalem in triumph. The verse demonstrates the literal fulfillment of God’s wartime directives, David’s firm but measured justice, and the Lord’s faithfulness to secure Israel through His chosen king. |
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