Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 18:6
Then he placed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to David and brought him tribute. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records David’s administrative and military consolidation immediately after defeating the Aramean forces that came to aid Hadadezer of Zobah. The account bridges the battle report in 1 Chronicles 18:5 and the seizure of Hadadezer’s gold shields in 1 Chronicles 18:7.
The words — וַיָּשֶׂם (va.ya.sem, "he put") and עֲבָדִים ('a.va.Dim, "subjects") describe the physical placement of garrisons and the legal status imposed on the Aramean population. These terms mark the transition from military defeat to permanent political subjugation.
The thread — The motif of divine accompaniment and victory in David’s campaigns appears in 1 Chronicles 17:8, where God promises to remove all enemies before him. Psalm 18:43 and Psalm 121:8 similarly frame David’s movements and conquests under direct divine protection and deliverance.
Why it lands — The text states the historical facts of garrison placement and tribute collection before declaring the LORD’s role in David’s success. It demands the reader separate the recorded political reality from the theological claim that the outcome originated with divine action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then David put garrisons in Syria–damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought gifts. Thus the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 17:8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.
- Psalms 18:43 You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
- Psalms 121:8 The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
- Proverbs 21:31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 18:2 David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.