A multi-front war.
“…David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians…” 1 Chronicles 18:1-6 ESV
The Holy Bible is bountiful. Just when one thinks the remarkable story of David is over, as told in Samuel 1 and 2, First Chronicles tells it to us again.
After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its villages out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute. David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah-Hamath, as he went to set up his monument at the river Euphrates. And David took from him 1,000 chariots, 7,000 horsemen, and 20,000 foot soldiers. And David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but left enough for 100 chariots. And when the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus, and the Syrians became servants to David and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.
For a second time we hear that David bravely fought a multi-front war and the Lord gave him overwhelming victory.
Some are right to find this Biblical repetition confusing, but understand, the two books of Samuel tell David’s story as it happened. The Chronicle books tell the tale as history.
Long after David died, because of their disobedience, Israel was invaded and the people were taken into captivity in Babylon. Years later, in God’s mercy, they were returned from exile. The retelling of the story in Chronicles reminded people who David was and what he did.
Historical heroes can be inspiring and encouraging to a broken people. All those exiles trudging back to the promised land needed to remember that it was God who inspired and encouraged David. And that they also had God’s power at their disposal if they would only listen and obey.