1 Chronicles 18 | |
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![]() The complete Hebrew text of the Books of Chronicles (1 and 2 Chronicles) in the Leningrad Codex (1008 CE). | |
Book | Books of Chronicles |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 13 |
1 Chronicles 18 is the eighteenth chapter of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Chronicles in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2] The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE.[3] This chapter records the account of David's wars against the neighboring nations and a list of his executive.[4] The whole chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingship of David (1 Chronicles 9:35 to 29:30).[1]
This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language. It is is divided into 17 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[5]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[6]
This section is a summary as well as interpretation of 2 Samuel 8:1–18, forming a single unified content. The condensation of multiple wars into one narrative provides the impression of David as a warrior, which would disqualified him from the task of building the temple because this requires peace (cf. Deuteronomy 12).[4] David was successful in his wars against the Philistines to the west (verse 1; 1 Chronicles 20:4–8), against Edom to the southeast (verses 12-13), against Moab (verse 2) and Ammon (1 Chronicles 19:1–19; 20:1–3) to the east and against a number of Aramean kings to the northeast (verses 3–8; 1 Chronicles 19:6–19), as a fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy that David would subjugate all his enemies.[8]
The parallel text of 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes Abishai's achievement to David.[16][17] In the title of Psalm 60, Joab, Abishai's brother, got the credit for killing 12,000 Edomites at the same place, suggesting the probability of Abishai commanding the battle, while Joab completed the conquest of the country (cf. 1 Kings 11:16).[18]
This passage contains a list of David's highest officers after the wars, because of the significant role of military ranks during the conquests.[4] It reflects the growth of bureaucracy accompanying the expansion of the kingdom.[16]