1 Chronicles 19:6 - Meaning and Application

We can see here how the hearts of sinners, who are marked for ruin, are hardened until they destroy themselves. The Ammonites saw that they had made themselves hateful to David (1 Chronicles 19:6), and wisdom would have led them to seek peace. They should have humbled themselves and tried to make up for the wrong they had done him. They had also made themselves liable to God’s justice, since he is King over the nations and defends wronged people and broken laws.

Instead of doing that, they prepared for war. In doing so, they brought on themselves, through David’s hand, the ruin he never meant for them. When people resist clear guilt and refuse peace, their stubbornness often becomes the path to their own downfall.

We also see how the courage of brave men grows stronger under pressure. When Joab saw the battle drawn up in front of him and behind him, he did not think about retreat. Instead, he strengthened his resolve. He divided his army, not because he was weak, but because he was calm, alert, and ready to act.

He joined with his brother for mutual help (1 Chronicles 19:12), and he urged the officers to fight hard in their own places. He was aiming at God’s glory and his country’s good, not his own honor or gain. Then he left the outcome with God: “Let the Lord do what is right in his sight.”

This also shows how useless great skill and strength are when they are used for injustice. The Ammonites did all they could to make the best use of their position. They brought a strong force into the field and arranged it as wisely as they could. But because their cause was bad and they were defending what was wrong, they could not succeed. Right will prevail in the end.

It also shows how little good it does for people to gather again and strengthen themselves when God is not on their side. The Syrians, though they had no real stake in the quarrel and were only hired soldiers for the Ammonites, were beaten and wanted to recover their honor. So they called in more help from the Syrians beyond the Euphrates, but it was no use, for they still fled before Israel (1 Chronicles 19:18). They lost 7,000 men, called “the men of 700 chariots” in (2 Samuel 10:18). As in sea service people may assign many men to one gun, so in land warfare many men were attached to each chariot.

Finally, those who have meddled in a quarrel that was none of their business, and have found that it hurt them deeply, should at last learn wisdom and keep away. The Syrians saw that Israel was winning, so they broke off their alliance with the Ammonites and would help them no more (1 Chronicles 19:19). They made peace with David and became his servants. Those who have resisted God in vain would do well to act this wisely too, and make peace with him quickly while there is still time. Let them become his servants, for they can clearly see that they will be ruined if they stay his enemies.