Matthew Henry on 1 Chronicles 20:1-3
How the army of the Ammonites and their allies was routed in the field we read in the foregoing chapters. Here we have the destruction of Rabbah, the metropolis of their kingdom (Ch1 20:1), the putting of their king's crown upon David's head (Ch1 20:2), and the great severity that was used towards the people, Ch1 20:3. Of this we had a more full account in 2 Sa. 11, 12, and cannot but remember it by this sad token, that while Joab was besieging Rabbah David fell into that great sin in the matter of Uriah. But it is observable that, though the rest of the story is repeated, that is not: a hint only is given of it, in those words which lie here in a parenthesis - But David tarried at Jerusalem…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on 1 Chronicles 20:1
After the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle - About the spring of the year; see the note on Sa2 11:1.
After this verse the parallel place in Samuel relates the whole story of David and Bath-sheba, and the murder of Uriah, which the compiler of these books passes over as he designedly does almost every thing prejudicial to the character of David. All he states is, but David tarried at Jerusalem; and, while he thus tarried, and Joab conducted the war against the Ammonites, the awful transactions above referred to took place.
John Gill on 1 Chronicles 20:1
See Gill on 1 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Samuel 11:1, 1 Chronicles 20:2, 2 Samuel 12:30, 2 Samuel 21:15, and 1 Chronicles 21:1.
Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Chronicles 20:1–end
See Gill on Ch1 20:1, Sa2 11:1, Ch1 20:2, Sa2 12:30, Sa2 21:15, and Ch1 21:1.
Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 21
Tyndale Open Study Notes on 1 Chronicles 20:1-3
This war against the Ammonites was the context of David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2–12:25), which the Chronicler omits.