XI. The chapter contains (1) the election of David in Hebron, and his conquest of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 11:1); (2) a list of David’s chief warriors, with short notices of their famous deeds (1 Chronicles 11:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
(1–9) Parallel to 2 Samuel 5:1. (1) THEN ALL ISRAEL GATHERED THEMSELVES. — Literally, _and._ “Then” is too definite a mark of time. The chronicler passes over the subsequent history of the house of Saul, and its decline under the feeble Ishbosheth, who reigned at Mahanaim as a puppet-king in the ha... [ Continue Reading ]
IN TIME PAST. — _Yesterday,_ or _three days since._ A very indefinite phrase, used in Genesis 31:2 of a time fourteen years since, and 2 Kings 13:5 of more than forty years ago. LEDDEST OUT. — To battle. BROUGHTEST IN. — Of the homeward march. David had thus already discharged kingly functions. (Co... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE CAME ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL. — The assembly of elders, the Senate of Israel, make a contract with David concerning his prerogative and the rights of his people, thus formally determining “the manner of the kingdom.” (Comp. 1 Samuel 8:9 _seq.,_ 1 Samuel 10:25.) Representative institutions... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DAVID... LAND. — Samuel is briefer: “And the king and his men went to Jerusalem, to the Jebusite, the inhabitant of the land.” The chronicler adds the explanatory “that is Jebus,” because of the after-mention of the Jebusite. He then further modifies the form of the original statement, continuin... [ Continue Reading ]
(4-9) THE CAPTURE OF ZION BY JOAB’S VALOUR, AND DAVID’S SETTLEMENT THERE. The accession of the new king is followed by a warlike enterprise, according to the precedent of Saul (1 Samuel 11). This agrees with the reason assigned for the election of a king (1 Samuel 8:20), as well as with what we kno... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU SHALT NOT COME HITHER. — A jeer. (Comp. 2 Samuel 5:6.) “And one spake unto David, saying, Thou shalt not come in hither. The blind and the lame will have kept thee out!” The Jebusites trusted in the strength of their fortress. Even the weakest defence would be sufficient to repel David’s assaul... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER SMITETH THE JEBUSITES FIRST. — The account diverges more and more from the parallel passage. 2 Samuel 5:8, reads, “And David said in that day, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusite, let him hurl down the waterfall (Psalms 42:7), both the lame and the blind, the hated of David’s soul! Therefore th... [ Continue Reading ]
CASTLE. — _Stronghold, fastness._ (Comp. 2 Samuel 5:7.) In 1 Chronicles 11:5 the form is _meçûdâh,_ here it is the rare masculine form, _meçâd:_ comp. Ar. _maçâd, cacumen montis._ THEY CALLED IT. — Samuel (Hebrew), “one called it;” both in a general sense. CITY. — Comp. Greek, _polis_ = acropolis.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE BUILT THE CITY ROUND ABOUT. — Literally, _and he built_ (or rebuilt or fortified) _the city all round, from the Millo even unto the_ (complete) _round._ The Millo was probably a tower or citadel, like the Arx Antonia of later times. According to the chronicler David started from that point, a... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse corresponds word for word with Samuel, only omitting “God” after “Lord.” Literally, _and David walked on, a walking and growing great_ — a common Hebrew metaphor of gradual and progressive increase or decrease. (Comp. Genesis 8:5, and the use of the term _andante,_ “walking,” in music.) L... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ALSO ARE THE CHIEF OF THE MIGHTY MEN. — Rather, _And these were the heads of the warriors_ (_i.e.,_ the chief warriors, other warriors of lower rank being enumerated in 1 Chronicles 12) _who showed themselves strong in his support_ (with him, Daniel 10:21; Psalms 12:4), _in the matter of his k... [ Continue Reading ]
(10-44) _X_ list of the warriors who helped David to win and maintain his kingdom. This catalogue answers to that of 2 Samuel 23:8, which, however, breaks off with Uriah the Hittite; whereas our text communicates sixteen additional names. This fact proves that the chronicler had either a fuller sour... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS IS THE NUMBER OF THE MIGHTY MEN. — The heading of the catalogue in Samuel is merely, “These are the names of the warriors whom David had.” The chronicler resumes, after the parenthetic explanation of the last verse, with “These, the number of the warriors.” The word “number” (_mispar_) seem... [ Continue Reading ]
ELEAZAR THE SON OF DODO. — For Dodo the LXX. has Dodai; so 1 Chronicles 27:4, and the Hebrew text of Samuel; but Syriac and Vulgate “his uncle,” a translation of _dodo._ THE AHOHITE — _i.e.,_ of the clan Ahoah; perhaps the Benjamite house of this name (1 Chronicles 8:4). WHO WAS ONE OF THE THREE M... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WAS WITH DAVID AT PAS-DAMMIM. — Or Ephes-dammim, between Shochoh and Azekah in the Mountains of Judah, where David encountered Goliath. The name does not now appear in 2 Samuel 23:5, being probably concealed under the word rendered “when they defied.” AND THERE THE PHILISTINES WERE GATHERED TOGET... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SET THEMSELVES... AND DELIVERED... AND SLEW. — These verbs should be singular, as describing the exploit of Shammah (2 Samuel 23:12). After the omission just noticed had become perpetuated in the text, some editor must have altered the words into the plural, supposing that they referred to... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THREE OF THE THIRTY CAPTAINS. — Literally, _and a three out of the thirty chiefs went down;_ a mode of description which appears to distinguish this trio from the former (1 Chronicles 11:11). The form of the verb, however, connects this exploit with the same war. (Comp. 2 Samuel 23:13.) TO THE... [ Continue Reading ]
(15-19) Three unnamed heroes who fetched water for David from the well at Bethlehem.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HOLD. — The stronghold or rock-fortress of Adullam (2 Samuel 5:17; 2 Samuel 23:14). THE PHILISTINES’ GARRISON. — An outpost; for their army was camping near Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IS AT (in) THE GATE! — No such well is now known. The so-called “David’s well” is half a mile north-east of the town.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRAKE THROUGH THE HOST. — Not the main army, but the outpost in front of Bethlehem. There were heroes before Agamemnon, and there was chivalry before the Crusades. BY THE GATE. — Heb., _in._ POURED IT OUT. — As a libation or drink-offering. The technical term is used, as in Genesis 35:14. An act o... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL I DRINK THE BLOOD OF these MEN? — Literally, _the blood of these men should I drink in their lives_ (souls)? THEIR LIVES appears to be spurious here, as it occurs again immediately, and is read only once in Samuel. David regards the water as blood: it had been obtained at the hazard of life,... [ Continue Reading ]
ABISHAI THE BROTHER OF JOAB. — Heb., Abshai, but in Samuel, Abishai. (Comp. Abram and Abiram.) Samuel adds “son of Zeruiah” after Joab. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 2:16 and 1 Chronicles 18:12; 1 Chronicles 19:11 ff. for other deeds of Abishai.) HE WAS CHIEF OF THE THREE. — Apparently the second triad, one... [ Continue Reading ]
(20-25) Feats of Abishai and Benaiah. (Comp. 2 Samuel 23:18, of which the present passage is little more than a duplicate.)... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THE THREE, HE WAS MORE HONOURABLE THAN THE TWO. — The Hebrew text here varies from Samuel, which has “Above (or out of) the three, was he not honoured? _n_ The reading of Chronicles seems to be an exegetical alteration of this, and should probably be rendered, “Above the three of the second rank... [ Continue Reading ]
(22-25) BENAIAH THE SON OF JEHOIADA. — Captain of the royal guard (1 Chronicles 18:17) and third “captain of the host” (1 Chronicles 27:5). SON OF A VALIANT MAN. — “Son” is probably a spurious addition here, as elsewhere. The Syriac has “Benaiah son of Joiada, a strong warrior.” The LXX., however,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SLEW AN EGYPTIAN ... — Literally, _and he it was who smote the Egyptian, a man of measure, five in the cubit._ Samuel has only “who (was) a sight;” or “a man to look at” (Heb. margin). The chronicler says why. LIKE A WEAVER’S BEAM. — Not in Samuel. Perhaps due to a recollection of the combat... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HAD THE NAME. — Literally, _and to him_ (_was_)_ a name among the three heroes,_ viz., the second triad.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, HE WAS HONOURABLE AMONG THE THIRTY. — Rather, _above the thirty behold he was honoured._ BUT ATTAINED NOT TO THE FIRST THREE. — For he was a member of the second triad of heroes. The third member is omitted here, as in the case of the first triad. OVER HIS GUARD. — Literally, _over his obe... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO THE VALIANT MEN OF THE ARMIES. — The Heb. phrase has this meaning (1 Chronicles 12:8); but elsewhere it denotes “valiant heroes” (1 Chronicles 7:5; 1 Chronicles 7:7, &c). and so here. 2 Samuel 23:24 has “Asahel brother of Joab was among the thirty.” It thus appears that the warriors of this lis... [ Continue Reading ]
(26-47) A catalogue of forty-eight “doughty warriors.” Sixteen names are here added to the list as given in Samuel. The chronicler, therefore, possessed a source more complete than our Book of Samuel. Variations of spelling abound in the names common to the two texts, the transcription of proper nam... [ Continue Reading ]
SHAMMOTH THE HARORITE. — Samuel has “Shammah (of which Shammoth is plural) the Harodite.” A place called Harod occurs in Judges 7:1. (Comp. also 1 Chronicles 27:8, Note.) 2 Samuel 23:26 adds another Harodite, Elika (? Elikam), omitted here by accident. HELEZ THE PELONITE. — Samuel, “the Paltite,” pe... [ Continue Reading ]
IRA... TEKOITE, of Tekoa, in Judah. Abi-ezer, of Anathoth, in Benjamin. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 27:9; 1 Chronicles 27:19.)... [ Continue Reading ]
SIBBECAI. — The correct name. (See 1 Chronicles 27:11.) He slew the giant Saph (2 Samuel 21:18). Samuel calls him Mebunnai, by confusion of similar letters. Sibbecai was a Zarhite, _i.e.,_ of clan Zerah. Hushah, his township, was in Judah (1 Chronicles 4:4). ILAI. — Samuel has Zalmon, which may be... [ Continue Reading ]
Maharai the Netophathite, of Netophah, a Levitical canton (1 Chronicles 9:16). By family Maharai was a Zarhite (1 Chronicles 27:13). HELED. — More correct than (Heleb) Samuel. Called Heldai (1 Chronicles 27:15). He was of the clan Othniel.... [ Continue Reading ]
ITHAI. — Samuel, “Ittai,” an older pronunciation. Not to be confused with “Ittai the Gittite” (2 Samuel 15:19). GIBEAH... OF BENJAMIN was near Ramah. BENAIAH THE PIRATHONITE. — 1 Chronicles 27:14. Of course different from Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “Pirathon in the land of Ephraim” (Judges 12:15) ma... [ Continue Reading ]
HURAI OF THE BROOKS OF GAASH seems better than “Hiddai” (Samuel), cf. “Hur” (Exodus 17:10). “d” and “r” are often confused in Hebrew writing. BROOKS. — Heb., _Nahalê_ (gullies or wadys). Nahalê-Gaash was no doubt a place on or near Mount Gaash (Joshua 24:30) in the highland of Ephraim, but the site... [ Continue Reading ]
BAHARUMITE — of Bahurim, the town of Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 3:16), in Benjamin. Samuel has the transposed form, “Barhumite.” ELIAHBA — _God hideth._ SHAALBONITE — of Shaalbim (Judges i 35; Joshua 19:42), a Danite town near Ajalon.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SONS OF HASHEM THE GIZONITE. — Samuel has “the sons of Jashen, Jonathan” (Heb.). Here the Syriac and Arabic have “the sons of Shëm of ‘Azun, Jonathan son of Shaga of Mount Carmel.” The word “sons” (_bnê_) is an accidental repetition of the last three letters of the Hebrew word for Shaalbonite. “... [ Continue Reading ]
SACAR (_wages_) is probably right, not “Sharar” (Samuel). LXX. Vat. has “Achar,” but Alex. “Sachar.” Syriac, “Sacham.” Instead of Hararite, Samuel has “Ararite,” or “Adrite” (Syr.). ELIPHAL, THE SON OF UR. — Instead of this, Samuel reads, “Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maachathite.” Eliphele... [ Continue Reading ]
HEPHER THE MECHERATHITE. — Wanting in the present text of Samuel. Mecherah is unknown as a place, and a comparison with Samuel (1 Chronicles 11:34) suggests “Hepher the Maachathite,”_ i.e.,_ of Abelbeth-Maachah, or perhaps the Syrian state of Maachah (2 Samuel 10:8). AHIJAH THE PELONITE. — Instead... [ Continue Reading ]
HEZRO. — Syriac, “Hezri” and so perhaps Samuel, margin; but Samuel, text, “Hezro.” CARMELITE. — Of Carmel (_Karmul_)_,_ a town south of Hebron (Joshua 15:55). NAARAI THE SON OF EZBAI. — Samuel, “Paarah the Arbite.” Arab also was a town south of Hebron, in the hill country of Judah (Joshua 15:52).... [ Continue Reading ]
JOEL THE BROTHER OF NATHAN. — Samuel, “Jigal (a name found in Numbers 13:7) son of Nathan of Zobah.” This is probably correct. Zobah was a Syrian state. MIBHAR THE SON OF HAGGERI. — “Mibhar” (_choice_) is unlikely as a proper name, and is probably a corruption of _Miçcobah,_ “of Zobah,” as in Samue... [ Continue Reading ]
ZELEK THE AMMONITE. — Many of David’s warriors were aliens. (Comp. “Uriah the Hittite;” “Ittai the Gittite;” and “Ithmah the Moabite,” 1 Chronicles 11:46. BEROTHITE. — Of Beeroth in Benjamin (Joshua 18:25).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ITHRITE. — Of Jether, one of the clans of Kirjath-jearim (1 Chronicles 2:53).... [ Continue Reading ]
URIAH THE HITTITE. — His history, omitted by Chronicles, is told in 2 Samuel 11. The list of heroes in Samuel closes with this name, adding by way of summation, “all, thirty and seven.” The sixteen names which follow may indicate a later revision of the catalogue. They are not given elsewhere.... [ Continue Reading ]
A CAPTAIN OF THE REUBENITES (or, _chief;_ Heb., _head_) AND THIRTY WITH HIM (besides him). — Literally, _upon him._ So LXX. Syriac reads “and he was commanding thirty men,” which gives the apparent meaning of the verse. If, as seems likely, the “thirty” were the officers of David’s guard of six hund... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHAPHAT THE MITHNITE. — The LXX. has “the Mathanite,” or “the Bethanite.” Syriac, “Azi of Anathoth”!... [ Continue Reading ]
ASHTERATHITE. — Of Ashtaroth, a town in Bashan (1 Chronicles 6:71). JEHIEL. — Heb., _Jeuel._ Margin, “_Jeiel_.” HOTHAN. — A misprint of the Authorised Version for _Aotham._ There was an _Aroer_ in Reuben, and another in Gad (Joshua 13:16; Joshua 13:25).... [ Continue Reading ]
JEDIAEL. — Perhaps the Manassite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIEL. — Perhaps the Gadite of 1 Chronicles 12:11. THE MAHAVITE. — Probably a corruption of “the Mahanaimite.” Mahanaim was in Gad.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIEL.-LXX., “Daliel.” THE MESOBAITE. — The word is corrupt. Perhaps it should be “of Zobah.” Syriac has _and Ashkir._... [ Continue Reading ]