1 Chronicles 20 (see our study of 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 21.15-22 [study to come])
This chapter is found within two chapters in 2 Samuel as is seen above. The purpose of the Chronicles is to present a “cleaner” version of David to promote the kingdom as the exiles return to the land. This is clearly seen in this chapter with the omission of the incident between David and Bathsheba (see our studies of this account in 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12).
As we have studied 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles differences are evident (the number of soldiers, for instance). This chapter presents a difficulty as well as we compare it to the 2 Samuel 21 passage and others. An attempt to harmonize them will be made here.
Potential discrepancies:
- 2 Samuel has the place of battle as Gob, not Gezer.
- 2 Samuel names the slain giant’s son as Saph, not Sippai.
- Goliath’s slain brother, Lahmi, is not given a name in 2 Samuel.
- Abishai’s slaying of the giant Ishbi-benob is not given in 2 Chronicles.
Possible solutions:
- Gob was located close to Gezer and may not have existed in the time of Ezra’s writing of the Chronicles.
- Saph and Sippai are variations of the same root name.
- The last two discrepancies merely reflect the author’s purpose or focus. The absence or inclusion of a name or place in one does not preclude it from occurring.
When this chapter is considered, we need to see that God is still at work in the repentant David. He conquers the foes, slays the giants, and has victory in his life. As we see in the chapters that follow, the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba will haunt him all the days of his life.
Even though David sinned, this chapter shows that God was still with Him and had forgiven Him. David was able to still be king and conquer his enemies because the Lord was with Him and gave him the ability to do that.