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Book of 1 Chronicles - Chapter 19 - Verse 7

19:7
So they hired thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maachah and his people; who came and pitched before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.

Meaning

The verse describes a military confrontation between the people of Israel and the children of Ammon. The story goes that the Israelites, faced with impending warfare, made the strategic decision to hire thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maachah along with his forces to bolster their army. The king of Maachah, with his people, encamped before Medeba, a town in ancient Moab. Upon hearing of this military buildup, the children of Ammon, from their various cities, assembled to prepare for battle with the Israelites. This verse highlights the intensity and scale of the conflict brewing between the two nations, as well as the intricate alliances and strategic maneuvers involved in ancient warfare. The clash between the Israelites and the children of Ammon illustrates the political and military complexities that characterized the ancient Near East.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of 2 Samuel, we see a battle scene unfold as the Ammonites gather their forces to face King David's army. The mention of hiring chariots and the king of Maachah to join the Ammonite forces gives us insight into the military strategies of the time. Chariots were a key element of ancient warfare, providing speed and mobility on the battlefield. The reference to the children of Ammon gathering from their cities to come to battle emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the unity of the Ammonite people in the face of external threat. The city of Medeba, where the Ammonite forces pitched their camp, holds historical and geographical significance as a city in modern-day Jordan. Overall, this verse showcases the complexities of ancient warfare and the political alliances that were formed in the region.

American Standard Version

So they hired them thirty and two thousand chariots, and the king of Maacah and his people, who came and encamped before Medeba. And the children of Ammon gathered themselves together from their cities, and came to battle.
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