The First Book of the Chronicles
1 Chronicles 18
Chapter XVIII · Vol. II, pp. 830–832
1 David subdueth the Philistines, and maketh the Moabites tributary. 3 He smiteth Hadarezer and the Syrians. 9 Tou sendeth Hadoram with presents to bless David. 11 The presents and the spoil David dedicateth to God. 13 He putteth garrisons in Edom. 14 David's officers.
1 Now after this ait came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them, and took bGath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.1
B.C. 1040.
a 2 Sa.8.1,&c.
b 1 Sa.17.4. ch.20.6.
1 Gath was the nearest of the five royal cities of Philistia. David, therefore, attacked it. He was besides well acquainted with its position and defences, so that in his assault he had the advantage of accurate and thorough personal knowledge to guide him.—P.
3 And David smote dHadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath,3 as he4 wente to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates.
4 And David took from him fa thousand chariots, and seven 5thousand ghorsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: David also hhoughed all the chariot-horses,6 but reserved of them an hundred chariots.
f 1 Ki.9.19; 10.26. Ps.20.7; 33.16,17.
5 The striking similarity of the Hebrew letters for 7000 and 700, or the assumption of the 'error of a transcriber,' has been employed to reconcile this passage with 2 Sa. 8. 4. There seems no necessity for either, as each may be true; as each account may refer to a different period of the same transaction. See note on 2 Sa. 8. 4.—C.
g 2 Sa.8.4.
h Jos.11.9, with De.17.16. Ps.20.7; 33.16,17.
6 Rather, 'David disjointed all the chariots,' a proceeding at once more judicious and humane. The reader will perceive the word 'horses' is not in the original.—C.
5 And when the Syrians of Damascus7 came to help Hadarezer king of Zobah, David islew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men.
7 Heb. Damesek.
i Is.8.9; 31.3. Job 9.13. Ps.110.5,6; 2.9. ch.19.6,18.
6 Then David kput garrisons in Syria-damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought gifts. Thus the LORD lpreserved David whithersoever he went.
7 And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadarezer, mand brought them to Jerusalem.
m ch.22.14. 1 Ki.10.17.
8 Likewise from Tibhath,8 and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith nSolomon made the brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.
8 Called in the book of Samuel Betah and Berothai.—[In 2 Sa. 8.8 we read for Tibhath 'Betah,' probably by transposition (for the letters are the same), only th is here added. And Chun was perhaps another name for Berothai. If Zobah were Nisibis, then Berothai might be (as some have supposed) Bir, the Birtha of Ptolemy, on the east bank of the Euphrates. But as Aram-zobah was certainly on the west of the Euphrates, Berothai must have been in the same direction. Some identify it with Berytus or Beirout, a well-known seaport on the coast of Syro-Phœnicia; but if Berothai was the same as the Berotah of Eze. 47. 16, it seems rather to have been situated between Hamath and Damascus.—I.
9 Now when oTou king of Hamath heard how David had smitten all the host of Hadarezer king of Zobah;
o Or, Toi, 2 Sa.8.9.
10 He sent pHadoram his son to king David, to inquire of his welfare,9 and to 1congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war2 with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold, and silver, and brass.
11 Them also king David qdedicated unto the LORD, with the silver and the gold that he brought from all these nations; from Edom, and from Moab, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines, and from Amalek.
q Mi.4.13. ch.22.14. Ps.72.10,15; 60.8,9. Ex.17.16. A prelude of the Gentiles being brought to Christ.
12 Moreover, Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of Salt reighteen thousand.3
A.M. 2966. B.C. 1038.
r 2 Sa.8.13. Perhaps quite different from Ps.60. title.
3 The account in 2 Sa. 8. 13 says that David slew of the Syrians 18,000; in this chap., ver.5, they are said to be 22,000, while in the text the conquest of 18,000 is ascribed to Joab. Here again the similarity of the word for Edom and Aram (Syria), or the 'error of a transcriber,' is frequently employed to reconcile the narratives. Neither is necessary. The victory of Joab, the immediate commander, is ascribed to David the superior, and the Edomites are called Syrians, just as an army is called British, though it may contain numerous auxiliary troops from various countries. C.——See notes on 2 Sa.8.18.—P.
13 And he put sgarrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became David's servants. Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
s Nu.24.18. Ge.27.29,40. Ps.18.44.
15 And uJoab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, recorder;4
u 2 Sa.8.16-18; 20.23-26. ch.11.6. Is.32.1.
4 Or, remembrancer.
Notes
Reflections.—Intimate fellowship with God makes men bold and active; and however numerous and mighty the enemies of God's people are, they shall be brought down at last. The associated forces of hell and earth in vain oppose his church; she shall stand triumphant over them all in the end. It is not shields of gold, but the shield of faith that will prove an unfailing defence. Nay, so uncertain are worldly things, that men often lose their power and wealth by seeking to establish them. The enemies of God's people frequently hurt themselves by attempting to hurt their neighbours. And sinners, contrary to their own inclinations, lay up wealth for the just, and make preparations for building the temple of God. But it is prudent to make God's children our friends; and proper to honour God with that in which he remarkably blesses us. They cannot but succeed in their enterprises who take God always along with them. And where he gives great power, men should be careful not to look great, but to do good with it.