Essay 6-c-5
c-5 Syrian Horsemen & Footmen Slain by David
2 Samuel 10:18
…and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote Shobach…
1 Chronicles 19:18
…and David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men which fought in chariots, and forty thousand footmen, and killed Shophach
There’s no contradiction on the
number of men associated with chariots, these verses supplementing each other in a case of amplification. Many
Syrians would fight in support of the 700 chariots, many as drivers
or fighters in chariots, or as stand-bys replacing those that are
killed. That’s indicated by the enlightened KJV men
which fought in chariots (RSV renders
similarly, but others say 7000 charioteers, for 700 chariots). Ten
Syrians supported each chariot, as in the KJV Chronicles that
expounds the roles of Syrian soldiers. The 2 Samuel men of 700
chariots can’t be just charioteers who can’t be both drivers &
fighters. The 7000 men fought in 700 chariots in the sense of supporting the role
of chariots.
Further, there’s no contradiction on the status of the 40,000 troops as horsemen or footmen. In 1 Chronicles the soldiers fight on foot, but stand by to replace horsemen killed, so the 40,000 serve as footmen & horsemen. The number is unusually large for horsemen, but normal for footmen. 2 Samuel views the incident from the standpoint of emphasis on the chariots, and 1 Chronicles from the standpoint of emphasis on the number of troops.
The spelling of the Syrian leader’s name in 2 Samuel changes in 1 Chronicles. The much-later Chronicles notes what is either a symbolic representation of the proper name in Samuel (see Jewish Encyclopedia.com), or a change in spelling of this name in the later Chronicles. The former possibility would be due to Chronicles amplification enlarging on the military character of this Syrian commander.
