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1 Chronicles 14 · a question people ask

Did David carry off the Philistines' gods, or burn them?

In the text

The two books tell it in different words. 2 Samuel: "They left their images there, and David and his men took them away" (2 Samuel 5:21). 1 Chronicles: "They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire" (14:12). Both begin with the same Hebrew verb for left (tap left). Where 2 Samuel has images, Chronicles has gods, the same word it uses for God in the verses around it (tap gods). In Hebrew, 2 Samuel's took them away is nasa, the verb 14:2 uses for the kingdom exalted (tap exalted), and Chronicles' gave a command is the ordinary verb for said. The law had said, "You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire" (Deuteronomy 7:25) (tap burned). Neither book mentions the other's telling or says why they differ, and this answer doesn't join them.

The verses

“They left their images there, and David and his men took them away.”
2 Samuel 5:21 · World English Bible
“They left their gods there; and David gave a command, and they were burned with fire.”
1 Chronicles 14:12 · World English Bible
“David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, for his kingdom was highly exalted, for his people Israel’s sake.”
1 Chronicles 14:2 · World English Bible
“You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 7:25 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Chronicles 14

1 Chronicles 14: For his people's sake

David's kingdom was lifted high "for his people Israel’s sake" (14:2), and before each battle he asked God (14:10, 14:14) with the very verb the book used for Saul asking counsel "of one who had a familiar spirit" (10:13): the same asking, turned to God.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions