New International Versionand brought out the people who were there, consigning them to labor with saws and with iron picks and axes, and he made them work at brickmaking. David did this to all the Ammonite towns. Then he and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.
New Living TranslationHe also made slaves of the people of Rabbah and forced them to labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to work in the brick kilns. That is how he dealt with the people of all the Ammonite towns. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.
English Standard VersionAnd he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Berean Standard BibleDavid brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
King James BibleAnd he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
New King James VersionAnd he brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, and made them cross over to the brick works. So he did to all the cities of the people of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
New American Standard BibleHe also brought out the people who were in it, and put some to work at saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and made others serve at the brick works. And he did the same to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
NASB 1995He also brought out the people who were in it, and set them under saws, sharp iron instruments, and iron axes, and made them pass through the brickkiln. And thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
NASB 1977He also brought out the people who were in it, and set them under saws, sharp iron instruments, and iron axes, and made them pass through the brickkiln. And thus he did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Legacy Standard BibleHe also brought out the people who were in it and set them up with saws, sharp iron instruments, and iron axes, and made them pass through the brickkiln. And thus he used to do to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Amplified BibleHe also brought out the people who were there, and put them to [work with] the saws and sharp iron instruments and iron axes, and made them work at the brickkiln. And he did this to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the men returned to Jerusalem.
Christian Standard BibleHe removed the people who were in the city and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to labor at brickmaking. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe removed the people who were in the city and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, and to labor at brickmaking. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then he and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
American Standard VersionAnd he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Contemporary English VersionDavid made the people of Rabbah tear down the city walls with iron picks and axes, and then he put them to work making bricks. He did the same thing with all the other Ammonite cities. David went back to Jerusalem, and the people of Israel returned to their homes.
English Revised VersionAnd he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationHe brought out the troops who were there and put them to work with saws, hoes, and axes. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the troops returned to Jerusalem.
Good News Translationand put its people to work with saws, iron hoes, and iron axes, and forced them to work at making bricks. He did the same to the people of all the other towns of Ammon. Then he and his men returned to Jerusalem.
International Standard Versionbrought back the people who had lived in it, placing them under conscripted labor with saws, iron picks, and axes. He did this to every Ammonite city, and then David and his entire army returned to Jerusalem.
NET BibleHe removed the people who were in it and made them do hard labor with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, putting them to work at the brick kiln. This was his policy with all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem.
New Heart English BibleHe brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work with saws, and iron picks, and iron axes, and to labor at the brick kiln. And he did the same to all the cities of the people of Ammon. David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he brought forth the people that were in it, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus he did to all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDavid brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
World English BibleHe brought out the people who were in it, and put them to work under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them go to the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he has brought out the people who [are] in it, and sets [them] to the saw, and to cutting instruments of iron, and to axes of iron, and has caused them to pass over into the brick-kiln; and so he does to all the cities of the sons of Ammon; and David turns back, and all the people, to Jerusalem.
Young's Literal Translation and the people who are in it he hath brought out, and setteth to the saw, and to cutting instruments of iron, and to axes of iron, and hath caused them to pass over into the brick-kiln; and so he doth to all the cities of the Bene-Ammon; and David turneth back, and all the people, to Jerusalem.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the people which were in it he brought forth, and he will put at the saw and at the threshing-sledge of iron, and at axes of iron, and caused them to pass over through the brick-kiln: and thus he will do to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. And David will turn back, and all the people, to Jerusalem. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd bringing forth the people thereof he sawed them, and drove over them chariots armed with iron: and divided them with knives, and made them pass through brickkilns: so did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon: and David returned, with all the army to Jerusalem.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAlso, bringing forth its people, he sawed them, and he drove over them with iron wagons, and he divided them with knives, and he dragged them through brick kilns. So he did to all the citizens of the sons of Ammon. And David returned, with the entire army, to Jerusalem.
New American BibleHe deported the people of the city and set them to work with saws, iron picks, and iron axes, or put them to work at the brickmold. He dealt thus with all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and his whole army returned to Jerusalem.
New Revised Standard VersionHe brought out the people who were in it, and set them to work with saws and iron picks and iron axes, or sent them to the brickworks. Thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he brought forth the people who were in it, and put them in iron bands and in chains, and made them pass through the measuring line; and thus did he to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he brought out the people that were in it and put them in bands of iron and in chains and made pass them through the measuring line, and so he did to all the cities of the sons of Amun, and David returned, and all the people to Jerusalem OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln; and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he brought forth the people that were in it, and put them under the saw, and under iron harrows, and axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus he did to all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Capture of Rabbah… 30Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city. 31David brought outthe peoplewho werethereand put them to workwith saws,ironpicks,and axes,and he made them workat the brick kilns.He didthe sameto allthe Ammonitecities.Then Davidand allhis troopsreturnedto Jerusalem.
Cross References 1 Chronicles 20:3David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.
Joshua 11:6-9Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for by this time tomorrow I will deliver all of them slain before Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn up their chariots.” / So by the waters of Merom, Joshua and his whole army came upon them suddenly and attacked them, / and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors. ...
Joshua 8:2And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”
Judges 8:7“Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!”
Judges 8:16-17Then he took the elders of the city, and using the thorns and briers of the wilderness, he disciplined the men of Succoth. / He also pulled down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
1 Samuel 15:33But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.
2 Kings 3:19And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”
2 Kings 3:25They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.
1 Kings 9:21their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
Deuteronomy 20:11If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you.
Deuteronomy 20:12-14But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. / When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand, you must put every male to the sword. / But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you.
Ezekiel 25:14I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’
Isaiah 33:1Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
Jeremiah 25:9behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.
Jeremiah 50:21Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD.
Treasury of Scripture And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick-kiln: and thus did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. and put them. 1 Chronicles 20:3 And he brought out the people thatwere in it, and cutthem with saws, and with harrows of iron, and with axes. Even so dealt David with all the cities of the children of Ammon. And David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. Andso the Moabites became David's servants,and brought gifts. Psalm 21:8,9 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee… Jump to Previous AmmonAxesBrickBrickkilnBrick-KilnChildrenCitiesDavidForthHarrowsIronJerusalemKilnPicksSawsThereinJump to Next AmmonAxesBrickBrickkilnBrick-KilnChildrenCitiesDavidForthHarrowsIronJerusalemKilnPicksSawsTherein2 Samuel 12 1.Nathan's parable of the ewe lamb causes David to be his own judge.7.David, reproved by Nathan, confesses his sin, and is pardoned15.David mourns and prays for the child while it lives24.Solomon is born, and named Jedidiah26.David takes Rabbah, and tortures the people thereofDavid brought out the people who were thereThis phrase refers to the aftermath of David's conquest of the Ammonite city of Rabbah. The people mentioned are the surviving inhabitants of the city. In the context of ancient warfare, it was common for victors to take captives and utilize them for labor. This action reflects the practices of the time, where conquered peoples were often subjected to forced labor as a means of subjugation and economic benefit. and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes
The tools mentioned here—saws, iron picks, and axes—indicate the type of labor the captives were forced into, likely involving construction or resource extraction. The use of iron tools suggests a level of technological advancement and the importance of these resources for building and infrastructure. This also highlights the harsh realities of ancient warfare, where the defeated were often put to work in difficult and demanding conditions. and he made them work at the brick kilns
Brick kilns were essential for producing bricks used in construction, indicating that the labor was likely related to building projects, possibly fortifications or other structures. This reflects the strategic importance of Rabbah and other Ammonite cities, as controlling them would have provided economic and military advantages. The use of brick kilns also connects to the broader biblical theme of labor and servitude, reminiscent of the Israelites' own experience in Egypt. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities
This phrase suggests that David's actions in Rabbah were not isolated but part of a broader campaign against the Ammonites. The systematic approach to subjugating and utilizing the conquered peoples underscores the thoroughness of David's military strategy. It also reflects the fulfillment of God's judgment against the Ammonites, as seen in earlier biblical narratives where the Ammonites opposed Israel. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem
The return to Jerusalem signifies the completion of the military campaign and a return to the center of David's kingdom. Jerusalem, as the political and spiritual capital, represents the consolidation of David's rule and the stability of his reign. This return also foreshadows the continued expansion and establishment of Israel under David's leadership, setting the stage for the future reign of Solomon and the building of the Temple. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, known for his military conquests and his heart for God, yet also for his moral failings. 2. AmmonitesA neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel, descendants of Lot. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, the political and spiritual center during David's reign. 4. Brick KilnsFacilities used for making bricks, indicating forced labor imposed on the conquered Ammonites. 5. TroopsThe military forces of Israel under David's command, involved in the conquest and subjugation of the Ammonites. Teaching Points Understanding Justice and MercyDavid's actions reflect the harsh realities of ancient warfare. While justice was served, it challenges us to consider how mercy and justice are balanced in our lives. Consequences of SinDavid's earlier sins with Bathsheba and Uriah had far-reaching consequences, affecting his leadership and decisions. Our actions have ripple effects that can impact others. Leadership and ResponsibilityAs leaders, we are accountable for how we treat those under our authority, including adversaries. David's leadership is a reminder of the weight of responsibility. Transformation through RepentanceDespite his failures, David's life is marked by repentance and a desire to align with God's will. This encourages us to seek transformation through repentance. The Role of Scripture in Guiding ActionsDavid's life illustrates the importance of aligning our actions with God's Word, prompting us to seek biblical guidance in our decisions. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 12
God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)
Why does 1 Chronicles 18:12 credit Abishai with killing 18,000 Edomites, while 2 Samuel 8:13 attributes the same victory to David?
2 Samuel 6:12-15 - Why does the Ark's presence generate such transformative effects, yet no archaeological evidence of its power or existence is found?
How does 1 Chronicles 16:1 reconcile with archaeological evidence for the Ark's location and existence?(31) Put them under saws.--The literal translation of the Hebrew ( put them with,or into, the saw) does not give any good sense, and no doubt a single letter of the text should be changed, bringing it into agreement with 1Chronicles 20:3, "cut them with saws." (Comp. Hebrews 11:37.) Harrows of iron.--These are the heavy iron tools, often armed with sharp points on the lower side, which were used for the purposes of threshing the grain and breaking up the straw. The brick-kiln.--This is the reading of the Hebrew text, and there is no sufficient reason to call it in question. The Hebrew margin, however, has "through Malchan; "and hence some have supposed that David made the Ammonites pass through the same fire by which they were accustomed to consecrate their children to Molech. In the infliction of these cruelties on his enemies David acted in accordance with the customs and the knowledge of his time. Abhorrent as they may be to the spirit of Christianity, David and his contemporaries took them as matters of course, without a suspicion that they were not in accordance with God's will. Verse 31. - The people that were therein. The cruel treatment described in this verse was inflicted, first of all, upon those who had defended Rabbah, now reduced to a small number by the long siege; but David next proceeded through all the cities, that is, the fortified towns of the Ammonites, inflicting similar barbarities. They were confined probably to the fighting men, and most of these would make their escape as soon as resistance became hopeless. The general population would, of course, scatter themselves in every direction, but the misery caused by such a breaking up of civil life, as well as by the cruel bloodshed, must have been terrible. Instead of "he put them in a saw," we find, in 1 Chronicles 20:3, "he sawed them with a saw." This reading differs from what we have here only in one letter, and is plainly right, as the translation, "under saws," "under harrows of iron," etc., found both in the Authorized and Revised Versions, is simply an expedient, tendered necessary by the corruption of the text. If we restore the passage by the help of the parallel place, it runs on thus: "He sawed with a saw, and with threshing sledges of iron, and with cutting instruments of iron." What exactly the second were we do not know, as the word does not occur elsewhere. The Vulgate renders it "wains shod with iron," meaning, apparently, those driven over the corn for threshing purposes, and now driven over these unfortunate people. The barbarity is not more horrible than that of sawing prisoners asunder. He made them pass through the brick kiln. Both the Septuagint and Vulgate have "brick kiln," Hebrew, malban, which the Massorites have adopted, but the Hebrew text has malchan. No commentator has given any satisfactory explanation of what can be meant by making the Ammonites pass through a brick kiln; but Kimchi gives a very probable interpretation of the word really found in the Hebrew, and which, not being intelligible, has been corrupted. For the Malchan was, he says, the place where the Ammonites made their children pass through the fire to Moloch. He thinks, therefore, that David put some of the people to death in this way. We cannot defend these cruelties, but they unhappily were the rule in Oriental warfare, and would have been inflicted on their enemies by the Ammonites. We have proof in l 1 Samuel 11:2 and Amos 1:13 that they were a barbarous race; but this did not justify barbarous retaliation.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew [David] brought outהוֹצִ֗יא(hō·w·ṣî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximthe peopleהָעָ֨ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockwho [were]אֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthereבָּ֜הּ(bāh)Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrewand put [them to work]וַיָּ֣שֶׂם(way·yā·śem)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760:Put -- to put, place, setwith saws,בַּ֠מְּגֵרָה(bam·mə·ḡê·rāh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4050:A sawironהַבַּרְזֶ֜ל(hab·bar·zel)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1270:Iron, an iron implementpicks,וּבַחֲרִצֵ֨י(ū·ḇa·ḥă·ri·ṣê)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2757:Incisure, incised, a threshing-sledge, a sliceand axes,וּֽבְמַגְזְרֹ֣ת(ū·ḇə·maḡ·zə·rōṯ)Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4037:A cutting implement, a bladeand he made them workוְהֶעֱבִ֤יר(wə·he·‘ĕ·ḇîr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass onat the brick kilns.בַּמַּלְבֵּ֔ן(bam·mal·bên)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4404:A brick mold, quadrangleHe didיַעֲשֶׂ֔ה(ya·‘ă·śeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makethe sameוְכֵ֣ן(wə·ḵên)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3651:So -- thusto allלְכֹ֖ל(lə·ḵōl)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe Ammoniteבְנֵֽי־(ḇə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A soncities.עָרֵ֣י(‘ā·rê)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892:ExcitementThen [David]דָּוִ֛ד(dā·wiḏ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesseand allוְכָל־(wə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhis troopsהָעָ֖ם(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockreturnedוַיָּ֧שָׁב(way·yā·šāḇ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againto Jerusalem.יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃(yə·rū·šā·lim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel
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OT History: 2 Samuel 12:31 He brought forth the people who were (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
