Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array before the gate of the city, and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
Parallel translations
- WEB The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the gate of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
- KJV And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field.
- BSB The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance to the city, while the kings who had come stayed by themselves in the open country.
- NASB The sons of Ammon came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of the city; and the kings who had come were by themselves in the field.
- NLT The Ammonite troops came out and drew up their battle lines at the entrance of the city, while the other kings positioned themselves to fight in the open fields.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Ammonites array at the city gate while the allied kings position in the open field. It describes the enemy's two-front formation.
Overview
Israel faces a strategic dilemma: Ammonites guarding the city and Aramean mercenaries arrayed separately in the field, threatening Joab from both directions. The tactical pressure sets up Joab's wise response in the following verses. The scene heightens the sense that only God's help can secure victory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Sam 17:2Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.
- 1 Kgs 20:24Do this thing: take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their place.
- 2 Chr 13:3Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valor.
- 2 Chr 14:10Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
- 2 Sam 10:8The children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate. The Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, were by themselves in the field.
- Joel 2:5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
- 1 Kgs 20:1Ben Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together; and there were thirty-two kings with him, with horses and chariots. He went up and besieged Samaria, and fought against it.
- 2 Sam 18:4The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
- Isa 28:6and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
- Jer 50:42They take up bow and spear. They are cruel, and have no mercy. Their voice roars like the sea. They ride on horses, everyone set in array, as a man to the battle, against you, daughter of Babylon.
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The genealogies and the everlasting covenant with David trace the single thread of promise running through the generations straight to the Christ in whom the line reaches its goal.
How 1 Chronicles 19:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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