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 ]