The Development of David's Kingdom = 1 Chronicles 18 1, 2. Conquest of the Philistines and Moabites 1. _And after this it came to pass_ This chapter contains a summary account of the wars by which David established the supremacy of Israel among the surrounding nations. At what periods of his reign... [ Continue Reading ]
_casting them down to the ground_ MAKING THEM LIE DOWN ON THE GROUND. The Moabite prisoners, doubtless only the fighting men, were ordered to lie down upon the ground in rows, which were measured with a measuring line. Two thirds of them were executed, and only the remaining third spared. Why David... [ Continue Reading ]
Conquest of Zobah and Damascus 3. _Hadadezer_ This name is written _Hadarezer_in ch. 2 Samuel 10:16-19, and in Chronicles, the letters _d_(ד) and _r_(ר) being easily confused in Hebrew. _Hadad_was the name of the Syrian sun-god, and _Hadadezer_appears to be the true form, meaning "whose help is Had... [ Continue Reading ]
_a thousand_chariots, _and seven hundred horsemen_ The Heb. text as it stands can only mean _a thousand and seven hundred horsemen_; but it seems best to follow the text of the LXX. and of 1 Chronicles 18:4 in reading A THOUSAND CHARIOTS AND SEVEN THOUSAND HORSEMEN. _houghed_ Or HAMSTRUNG; disabled... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Syrians of Damascus_ The kingdom of which Damascus was the capital was the most powerful branch of the Aramaeans or Syrians, and played an important part in the history of Israel. It did not long remain subject to them. In Solomon's reign a certain Rezon established himself at Damascus, and pro... [ Continue Reading ]
_garrisons_ Military posts to secure the country. Some render the word _officers_for the collection of the tribute, but the E. V. is probably right. Cp. note on 1 Samuel 10:5. _brought gifts_ See note on 2 Samuel 8:2. _preserved_ Or SAVED, as in ch. 2 Samuel 3:18; 2 Samuel 22:3-4.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that were on the servants of Hadadezer_ Or, THAT BELONGED TO, &c. Probably it was his bodyguard which was distinguished by these golden shields. Similarly a corps of the Macedonian army under Alexander the Great was known as "the silver-shields" (ἀργυράσπιδες). The Septuagint adds at the end of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Betah_ The site of this city is unknown, and even the form of the name is uncertain. Chr. has _Tibhath_, and the reading of the Sept. makes it probable that the original form here was _Tebah_, which occurs as the name of one of the sons of Nahor the Syrian (Genesis 22:24). _Berothai_ Probably the... [ Continue Reading ]
Congratulatory embassy from Toi king of Hamath 9. _Toi_ The Sept. agrees with Chr. in reading his name _Toü_. _Hamath_ A kingdom north of Zobah, with a capital of the same name situated on the Orontes. Hamath was one of the kingdoms which were tributary to Solomon, who built cities there (1 Kings 4... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joram Hadoram_, the name given in Chr., is probably the true reading, for which the Hebrew name _Joram_has been substituted by a scribe's error. _to bless him_ TO CONGRATULATE HIM, as in Chr. The phrase there translated "to inquire of his welfare" is identical with that rendered "to salute" here.... [ Continue Reading ]
_of Syria_ Chr. and the Sept. agree in reading _Edom_instead of _Aram_(Syria). The two names are easily confused (cp. note on 2 Samuel 8:3), and it is not easy to decide between them. The order, and the connexion with Moab and Ammon, are in favour of _Edom_: on the other hand Edom has not yet been m... [ Continue Reading ]
Conquest of Edom 13. _gat_him _a name_ Won renown. Cp. ch. 2 Samuel 7:9. This, and not "erected a monument," as some render, is the right meaning. _when he returned from smiting of the Syrians_ The text is certainly corrupt. Chr. reads, "And Abishai the son of Zeruiah smote Edom in the valley of sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_garrisons_ See note on 2 Samuel 8:6. Stress is laid by the words _throughout all Edom_on the completeness with which David subjugated the country. Thus was fulfilled the first part of Isaac's prophecy (Genesis 27:37-40), and Balaam's prophecy (Numbers 24:17-18).... [ Continue Reading ]
_executed judgment and justice_ Proving himself the true representative of Jehovah, whose attributes these are (Psalms 33:5; Psalms 89:14); and a true type of the perfect Messianic King (Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 32:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6).... [ Continue Reading ]
David's administration and officers A summary notice of the internal administration of the kingdom, with a list of David's chief officers of state, is appended to the account of his wars. Another list of these officers is given in ch. 2 Samuel 20:23-26: on the differences between them see notes the... [ Continue Reading ]
_recorder_ Or, REMEMBRANCER, a state officer of high rank, who seems not only to have kept a record of events, but to have acted as the king's adviser. His importance is indicated by 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 18:37, where he appears as one of the king's representatives, and 2 Chronicles 34:8, where he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Zadok the son of Ahitub_ Zadok was of the house of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8). He joined David at Hebron after Saul's death (1 Chronicles 12:28), and remained faithful to him throughout his reign. In Absalom's rebellion he left Jerusalem along with David, and only returned at his command (2 Samue... [ Continue Reading ]
_Benaiah_ See note on ch. 2 Samuel 23:20. _was over Over_is not in the Heb. text, and must be supplied from Chr. But possibly there is some further defect, for the Sept. reads "Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was counsellor." Cp. note on ch. 2 Samuel 23:23. _the Cherethites and the Pelethites_ The firs... [ Continue Reading ]