1 Chronicles 19:13
New International Version
Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”

New Living Translation
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.”

English Standard Version
Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

King James Bible
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

New King James Version
Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

New American Standard Bible
Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the benefit of our people and the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

NASB 1995
“Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

NASB 1977
“Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Be strong, and let us show strength for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may Yahweh do what is good in His sight.”

Amplified Bible
Be strong and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Christian Standard Bible
Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be strong! We must prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD’s will be done.”

American Standard Version
Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.

Contemporary English Version
Be brave and fight hard to protect our people and the towns of our LORD God. I pray he will do whatever pleases him."

English Revised Version
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be strong! Let's prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God, and the LORD will do what he considers right."

Good News Translation
Be strong and courageous! Let's fight hard for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD's will be done."

International Standard Version
Be strong, be courageous on behalf of our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what he thinks is best."

Majority Standard Bible
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

NET Bible
Be strong! Let's fight bravely for the sake of our people and the cities of our God! The LORD will do what he decides is best!"

New Heart English Bible
Be courageous, and let us be strong for our people, and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do that which seems good to him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

World English Bible
Be courageous, and let’s be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May Yahweh do that which seems good to him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
be strong, and we strengthen ourselves, for our people, and for the cities of our God, and YHWH does that which is good in His eyes.”

Young's Literal Translation
be strong, and we strengthen ourselves, for our people, and for the cities of our God, and Jehovah doth that which is good in His eyes.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Be strong, and we will strengthen ourselves for our people and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah will do the good in his eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be of good courage and let us behave ourselves manfully for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord will do that which is good in his sight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be strengthened, and let us act manfully on behalf of our people, and on behalf of the cities of our God. And the Lord will do what is good in his own sight.”

New American Bible
Hold firm and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in his sight.”

New Revised Standard Version
Be strong, and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Be strong and be valiant, and we shall fight for the sake of our people, and for the sake of the cities of our God, and LORD JEHOVAH shall do what is beautiful in his eyes!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be of good courage, and let us prove strong for our people, and for the cities of our God; and the LORD do that which seemeth Him good.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be of good courage, and let us be strong, for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord shall do what is good in his eyes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Defeats Ammon and Aram
12“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. 13Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.” 14So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Samuel 10:12
Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 1:27-28
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending together as one for the faith of the gospel, / without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

2 Timothy 2:1
You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 31:24
Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 Samuel 4:9
Take courage and be men, O Philistines! Otherwise, you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. Now be men and fight!”

2 Chronicles 32:7-8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:14
After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”


Treasury of Scripture

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

of good

Deuteronomy 31:6,7
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…

Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 10:25
And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

let the Lord

Judges 10:15
And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

1 Samuel 3:18
And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

2 Samuel 15:26
But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

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Behave Bravely Cities Courage Courageous Eyes Fight Good Heart Ourselves Play Prove Sake Seemeth Seems Shew Show Sight Strengthen Strong Valiant Valiantly
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Behave Bravely Cities Courage Courageous Eyes Fight Good Heart Ourselves Play Prove Sake Seemeth Seems Shew Show Sight Strengthen Strong Valiant Valiantly
1 Chronicles 19
1. David's messengers, sent to comfort Hanun, are villainously treated
6. The Ammonites, strengthened by the Syrians, are overcome by Joab and Abishai
16. Shobach, making a new supply of the Syrians, is slain by David














Be strong
The phrase "Be strong" is a call to courage and resilience. In Hebrew, the word used is "חֲזַק" (chazaq), which means to strengthen, prevail, or harden. This exhortation is not merely about physical strength but encompasses moral and spiritual fortitude. In the context of ancient Israel, strength was often seen as a divine gift, enabling individuals to fulfill God's purposes. This call to strength is reminiscent of God's charge to Joshua (Joshua 1:9), emphasizing reliance on divine support.

and let us fight bravely
"Fight bravely" in Hebrew is "נִתְחַזֵּק" (nitchazeq), which implies taking courage and acting with valor. This phrase underscores the importance of courage in the face of adversity. Historically, battles in the ancient Near East were not only physical confrontations but also spiritual contests, where the outcome was believed to reflect the favor of the gods. For the Israelites, fighting bravely was an act of faith, trusting that God was with them in battle.

for our people
The phrase "for our people" highlights the communal aspect of the battle. The Hebrew word "עַם" (am) refers to a people or nation, emphasizing the collective identity of the Israelites. This reflects the biblical principle of communal responsibility and solidarity. The warriors were not fighting for personal glory but for the well-being and survival of their community, which was seen as a covenant people chosen by God.

and the cities of our God
"Cities of our God" refers to the towns and settlements that were part of the Promised Land, given to the Israelites by God. The Hebrew word "עָרֵי" (arei) means cities, and this phrase underscores the sacredness of the land. The cities were not just physical locations but were seen as part of God's divine plan and promise to His people. Defending these cities was an act of stewardship and faithfulness to God's covenant.

May the LORD do what is good in His sight
This phrase is a profound expression of trust in God's sovereignty. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. "What is good" in Hebrew is "הַטּוֹב" (hatov), indicating what is beneficial, right, or pleasing. This reflects a deep faith that God's will is ultimately for the good of His people, even if it is not immediately apparent. The phrase "in His sight" suggests divine wisdom and perspective, acknowledging that God's understanding surpasses human comprehension. This submission to God's will is a central tenet of faith, trusting that His plans are perfect and just.

(13) Be of good courage.--The same verb was rendered "be strong" in 1Chronicles 19:12.

Let us behave ourselves valiantly.--The same verb again, in reflexive form. Thus the whole runs literally: Be strong, and let us shew ourselves strong!

And let the Lord do . . .--Literally, And Jehovah--the good in his own eyes may he do! The order in the Hebrew of Samuel is that of the Authorised Version here. The chronicler lays stress on the auspicious word "good." There is also emphasis on "Jehovah," as leaving the issue in His hands who is Lord of hosts and God of battles; and on the verb, expressive of a pious wish that right may not miscarry. Evidently the spirit which inspired the prayer, "Thy will be done," was not unknown to the warriors of the old theocracy.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be strong
חֲזַ֤ק (ḥă·zaq)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

and let us fight bravely
וְנִֽתְחַזְּקָה֙ (wə·niṯ·ḥaz·zə·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

for
בְּעַד־ (bə·‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

our people
עַמֵּ֔נוּ (‘am·mê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and for
וּבְעַ֖ד (ū·ḇə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

the cities
עָרֵ֣י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of our God.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

May the LORD
וַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

do
הַטּ֥וֹב (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

what is good
יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in His sight.”
בְּעֵינָ֖יו (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage and let us (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 19:12
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