I Chronicles 18
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
David - took Gath and her towns - See the comparison between this chapter and Sa2 8:1 (note), etc., in the notes on the latter.
Open source ↗DAVID SUBDUES THE PHILISTINES AND MOABITES. (Ch1 18:1-2) David . . . took Gath and her towns--The full extent of David's conquests in the Philistine territory is here distinctly stated, whereas in the parallel passage (Sa2 8:1) it was only described in a general way. Gath was the "Metheg-ammah," or "arm-bridle," as it is there called--either from its supremacy as the capital over the other Philistine towns, or because, in the capture of that important place and its dependencies, he obtained the complete control of his restless neighbors.
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 19
Open source ↗See Chapter Introduction Next: 1 Chronicles Chapter 19
Open source ↗After this, it is said (Ch1 18:1), David did those great exploits. After the sweet communion he had had with God by the word and prayer, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, he went on his work with extraordinary vigour and courage, conquering and to conquer. Thus Jacob, after his vision, lifted up his feet, Gen 29:1. We have taken a view of these victories before, and shall now only observe, 1. Those that have been long enemies to the Israel of God will be brought down at last. The Philistines had, for several generations, been vexatious to Israel, but now David subdued them, Ch1 18:1. Thus shall all opposing rule, principality, and power, be, at the end of time, put down by the Son of David, and the most inveterate enemies shall fall before him. 2. Such is the uncertainty of this world that frequently men lose their wealth and power when they think to confirm it. Hadarezer was smitten as he went to establish his dominion, Ch1 18:3. 3. A horse is a vain thing for safety, so David said (Psa 33:17), and it seems he believed what he said, for he houghed the chariot-horses, Ch1 18:4. Being resolved not to trust to them (Psa 20:7), he would not use them. 4. The enemies of God's church are often made to ruin themselves by helping one another, Ch1 18:5. The Syrians of Damascus were smitten when they came to help Hadarezer. When hand thus joins in hand they shall not only not go unpunished, but thereby they shall be gathered as the sheaves into the floor, Mic 4:11, Mic 4:12. 5. The wealth of the sinner sometimes proves to have been laid up for the just. The Syrians brought gifts, Ch1 18:6. Their shields of gold and their brass were brought to Jerusalem, Ch1 18:7, Ch1 18:8. As the tabernacle was built of the spoils of the Egyptians, so the temple of the spoils of other Gentil…
Open source ↗18:1–20:8 This section recounts David’s wars and military achievements, presenting David as the great warrior of Israel’s history. This account relates the public and political aspects of David’s enemies, but it deals very little with their private affairs. • Three distinct sections reflect accounts in Samuel: (1) the battles in the expansion of the kingdom (18:1-17; see 2 Sam 8:1-16); (2) the battle against the Ammonites (1 Chr 19:1–20:3; see 2 Sam 10:1–11:1; 12:30-31); and (3) the exploits of David’s mighty men (1 Chr 20:4-8; see 2 Sam 21:18-22). Each section begins with a chronological transition (after this) that loosely joins these events (1 Chr 18:1; 19:1; 20:4). 18:1-17 These war records tell the story of David’s expanding kingdom in conquering the Philistines (18:1), Moab (18:2), Zobah (18:3-4), Damascus (18:5-6), and Edom (18:12-13); these include records of David’s international relations, spoils, and tribute (18:7-11). A recurring theme is that the Lord made David victorious wherever he went (18:6, 13). 18:1 The Philistines posed a constant threat to David’s kingdom (see study notes on Josh 13:2; 19:43; Judg 3:3). They remained entrenched in their coastal settlements; although David conquered Gath and its surrounding towns, a Philistine king remained in Gath at the end of David’s reign (1 Kgs 2:39).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) גַּת (Gath, H1661) — Gath, a Philistine city בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צוֹבָא (Tsôwbâʼ, H6678) — Zoba or Zobah, a region of Syria חֲמָת (Chămâth, H2574) — Chamath, a place in Syria יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… פְּרָת (Pᵉrâth, H6578) — Perath (i.e. Euphrates), a river of the East
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רַגְלִי (raglîy, H7273) — a footman (soldier) עָקַר (ʻâqar, H6131) — to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to… יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Open source ↗אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צוֹבָא (Tsôwbâʼ, H6678) — Zoba or Zobah, a region of Syria דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term…
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אֲרָם (ʼĂrâm, H758) — Aram or Syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of Shem, a grandson of… דַּמֶּשֶׂק (Dammeseq, H1834) — Damascus, a city of Syria עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) שֶׁלֶט (sheleṭ, H7982) — probably a shield (as controlling, i.e. protecting the person) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗טִבְחַת (Ṭibchath, H2880) — Tibchath, a place in Syria כּוּן (Kûwn, H3560) — Kun, a place in Syria עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
Open source ↗תֹּעוּ (Tôʻûw, H8583) — Tou or Toi, a Syrian king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חֲמָת (Chămâth, H2574) — Chamath, a place in Syria שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king צוֹבָא (Tsôwbâʼ, H6678) — Zoba or Zobah, a region of Syria
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) הֲדוֹרָם (Hădôwrâm, H1913) — Hadoram, a son of Joktan, and the tribe descended from him בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) הֲדַרְעֶזֶר (Hădarʻezer, H1928) — Hadarezer, a Syrian king נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) תֹּעוּ (Tôʻûw, H8583) — Tou or Toi, a Syrian king
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth עֲמָלֵק (ʻĂmâlêq, H6002) — Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country
Open source ↗אֲבִישַׁי (ʼĂbîyshay, H52) — Abishai, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… צְרוּיָה (Tsᵉrûwyâh, H6870) — Tserujah, an Israelitess נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) מֶלַח (melach, H4417) — properly, powder, i.e. (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved) שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… נְצִיב (nᵉtsîyb, H5333) — something stationary, i.e. a prefect, a military post, a statue אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel.
Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.