1 Crônicas 19

1 Crônicas 19

Morgan - It is interesting to observe that in his arrangements he made no allowance for the possibility of ultimate defeat in his conflict with Ammon…. It does not seem to have occurred to him that the combination might have been too much for both of them.” 1 Chronicles 19:10 Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel and they arrayed themselves against the Arameans. NET 1 Chronicles 19:10 When Joab saw that the battle would be fought on two fronts, he chose some of Israel's best men and deployed them against the Arameans. CSB 1 Chronicles 19:10 When Joab saw that there was a battle line in front of him and another behind him, he chose some men out of all the elite troops of Israel and lined up in battle formation to engage the Arameans. ESV 1 Chronicles 19:10 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. NIV 1 Chronicles 19:10 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. NLT 1 Chronicles 19:10 When Joab saw that he would have to fight on both the front and the rear, he chose some of Israel's elite troops and placed them under his personal command to fight the Arameans in the fields. when Joab: 2Sa 10:9-14 set against: Jos 8:22 Jdg 20:42,43 JOAB FACES THE ARAMEANS IN FIELD Now when Joab saw that the battle (Heb. face of the battle) was set against him in front and in the rear, he selected from all the choice men of Israel and they arrayed themselves against the Arameans - Joab trapped by enemy forces front and behind. Note he uses wisdom in dividing forces but he leaves it in the hand of the LORD (v13), a good pattern for all of us when we feel the enemy has us essentially surrounded! NET Note - Hebrew = “and Joab saw that the face of the battle was to him before and behind and he chose from all the best in Israel and arranged to meet Aram.” 1 Chronicles 19:11 But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abshai his brother; and they arrayed themselves against the sons of Ammon. Abishai: Heb. Abshai, 1Ch 11:20 18:12 and they set: 1Ch 19:9 ABISHAI COMMANDS THE SECOND BATTALION But the remainder of the people he placed in the hand of Abshai his brother; and they arrayed themselves against the sons of Ammon. - Joab is preparing to take the tactic of "divide and conquer" and giving one division into the hands of his brother. Joab was wise because he knew that battle on two fronts would best be won by each of his armies being commanded by different commanders. But as noted he was even wiser to know that ultimately the battle was the LORD'S (v13)! 1 Chronicles 19:12 He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. If the Syrians: Ne 4:20 Ec 4:9-12 Ga 6:2 Php 1:27,28 WE WILL BE READY TO HELP THE ONE IN TROUBLE He said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will help you. - Joab's forces would meet the mercenaries in the field who are seeking to trap him in a two-flank attack. Abishai's forces would attack the Ammonite forces in the city. Joab realized that a smaller force could fight a two-front battle to its own advantage if both commanders kept their heads and supplied reinforcements to the other front as needed. Ron Daniel: This was an inspired plan. Each army was outnumbered, and would be forced to rely upon God for the victory. But each was also to keep an eye on his brother, to offer support if it was needed. How similar is this to our lives as Christians? We fight the good fight, and must rely upon God to win. However, there are times when we are being defeated, and need a brother to come and offer his support. There are other times when we see a brother beginning to stumble and be defeated. It is our obligation to step in and raise him up again, so that the battle will be won. 1 Chronicles 19:13 "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight." KJV 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. NET 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong! Let's fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The LORD will do what he decides is best!" CSB 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." ESV 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him." NIV 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight." NLT 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done." NRS 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him." Be strong : De 31:6,7 Jos 1:7 10:25 1Sa 4:9 14:6-12 17:32 2Sa 10:12 Ezr 10:4 Ne 4:14 Ps 27:14 1Co 16:13 et us show ourselves courageous: In Samuel, "let us play the men;" but the original is the same in both places, {nithchazzak}. let the Lord: Jdg 10:15 1Sa 3:18 2Sa 15:26 16:10,11 Job 1:22 JOAB'S KEY TO VICTORY COMMIT THE OUTCOME TO YAHWEH Be strong (chazaq; Lxx - enischuo = recover from loss of strength),, and let us show ourselves courageous (chazaq; Lxx - andrizo - see 1Co 16:13 below) for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; - Hebrew literally = “and the LORD will do what is good in his eyes.” Notice the oft repeated "mysterious" (but very real) juxtaposition of Joab and Abishai doing their part (man's responsibility) while at the same time trusting in Yahweh's goodness (God's sovereignty). Frederick Mabie Joab’s words to his military leaders are reminiscent of the words spoken to Joshua as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land (cf. Dt 31:7–8; Jos 1:5–9). To be strong, biblically speaking, is to be immovably committed to obedience and trust in God. Moreover, Joab reminds his warriors that their efforts ultimately protect their kin and people back home (“our people”) as well as God’s ultimate ownership of the land and cities (cf. Lev 25:23), especially Jerusalem (cf. Ps 48; cf. Selman, 195). Finally, note that Joab’s exhortation is rooted in the notion of God’s sovereign rule and ultimate goodness (“The LORD will do what is good in his sight”). While the Ammonites and Arameans retreat, two more series of battles (vv.16–19 and 1Ch 20:1–3) will be needed before the Ammonites are completely subdued. and may the LORD do what is good in His sight NET = "The LORD will do what he decides is best!" CSB = "May the LORD's will be done." ESV "may the LORD do what seems good to him." NIV The LORD will do what is good in his sight." This is trusting in Jehovah and His will for this battle. Joab is leaving it in the hands of Yahweh! Most of these modern translations make Joab's words a prayer for the LORD'S will to be done. The NIV sees it as a declarative statement. Both translations show Joab's trust is in the LORD. Of course the fact that they are fighting for the cities of our God would certainly support that the good the LORD would do would be to support those fighting for His cities and His people Israel and not to support those who are fighting against them. One is reminded of Paul's wonderful words "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Ro 8:31+). Andrew Hill: Joab concludes his precombat exhortation with a prayer, committing the outcome of the battle to the sovereignty and goodness of God (19:13b). Expressions of such trust in the providence of Yahweh are an important feature of the Chronicler’s theology of hope for post-exilic Judah (ED: REMEMBER CHRONICLES WAS WRITTEN AFTER THE EXILE IN BABYLON TO ENCOURAGE THE RETURNING EXILES)(cf. 2 Chron. 19:11; 20:15; 32:7–8). Utley makes a good point - This passage shows the sense of national duty felt by the Israeli soldiers (for the sake of our people), but also the deep conviction that YHWH was with them (and He needed to be, since the Israelite army was vastly outnumbered). He was the key to victory in battle. However, this theological worldview (cf. 1Sa 3:18; 2Ch 19:11; 1Ch 32:7-8) did not keep them from strategizing (vv. 9-11). Somehow in the mystery of life both parts are important. David Guzik on Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous - Courage and strength are not matters of feeling and circumstance. They are matters of choice, especially when God makes His strength available to us. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). THOUGHT - Paul gives the saints at Corinth and by application all of us a similar exhortation for we are all in warfare against strong (invisible) forces -- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14+ Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (Note there are five present imperatives all of which require us to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey.) The verb act like men (andrizo) is the same verb used in the Septuagint for let us show ourselves courageous. David Guzik on for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God Joab called them to remember all they had to lose. If they lost this battle they would lose both their people and their cities. This was a battle bigger than themselves, and the army of the mighty men had to remember that. Martin Selman has a different take on Joab's words writing "Joab was not known as a “religious person.” His immoral behavior at some instances indicates this. His pious remarks may have been more intended to install trust in God among his troops than an expression of his own faith. Joab must have realized that people who trusted in a “superior power” are better fighters than those who trust in their own strength. A more modern example is General Patton’s prayer at the invasion of Nazi Germany during WWII. The opening words of his prayer in front of his troops, “Lord, this is Patton speaking …” have become famous." Be strong (Harden, encourage, hold fast, prevail, repair, seize) (02388) chazaq conveys the basic meaning of to be or become strong, to make strong or strengthen, in the Hiphil to take hold of or seize ("retain His anger" - Mic 7:18+), in the Hithpael to strengthen oneself (to take courage 1 Sa 30:6). To be courageous. To overpower. Chazaq describes strength - severity of a famine (a "strong" famine) (2 Ki 25:3, Jer 52:6), strength of humans to overpower (David and Goliath 1 Sa 17:50, cf 1 Sa 17:35 = seized;, Amnon and Tamar = 2 Sa 13:14), in a battle, to capture (2 Chr 8:3), Samson's last demonstration of supernatural strength he prays "please strengthen me" (Jdg 16:28). Used in the charge "Be strong and courageous" (Josh 1:6, 7, 9,18, Josh 10:25, "be firm" = Josh 23:6; "Be strong and courageous" = Dt 31:6-7, 23). Chazaq used 12 times in Ex 4-14 of hardening Pharaoh's heart (cf similar use in Josh 11:20). In a great passage in Da 11:32+ we read "“By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength (chazaq) and take action."" F B