1 Chronicles 20:8
These were borne vnto the Giant in Gath, and they fell by the hand of Dauid, and by the hand of his seruants. 1 Chronicles 20:8 (KJV)
The verse records a specific victory of King David over the offspring of a Philistine giant from Gath. It demonstrates David’s continued military success against the Philistines, a recurring theme in the historical books. The defeat of these giants underscores the faithfulness of God in granting David triumph over formidable foes, and it highlights David’s role as a capable and divinely‑guided leader.
Some readers have encountered an unrelated quotation that speaks of the Jebusites and the children of Judah striking Jerusalem. That wording does not appear in 1 Chronicles 20:8, nor in any standard biblical text. The King James Version of the verse reads as shown above, focusing on the giants of Gath rather than the capture of Jerusalem. The claim that this passage records the conquest of Jerusalem by the children of Judah is therefore inaccurate. The historical capture of Jerusalem by David is recorded elsewhere, notably in 2 Samuel 5:6‑9.
While the verse itself does not discuss Jerusalem, the broader narrative of David’s reign does include the significant event of establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. That event fulfilled God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham’s descendants and demonstrated God’s faithfulness in enabling Israel to overcome long‑standing strongholds. David’s leadership in both military victories over the Philistines and the political establishment of Jerusalem illustrates his pivotal role in Israel’s history.
In summary, 1 Chronicles 20:8 celebrates a concrete victory over the giants of Gath, reflecting God’s faithfulness and David’s leadership, and it should be read apart from unrelated quotations concerning the Jebusites and Jerusalem.
