Verse 1
Came to David to Ziklag - Achish, king of Gath, had given Ziklag to David, as a safe retreat from the wrath of Saul.
Verse 8
And were as swift as the roes - That swiftness was considered to be a grand accomplishment in a warrior, appears from all ancient writings which treat of military affairs.
Verse 15
In the first month - Perhaps this was the month Nisan, which answers to a part of our March and April. This was probably before the snows on the mountains were melted, just as Jordan began to overflow its banks; or if we allow that it had already overflowed its banks, it made their attempt more hazardous, and afforded additional proof of their heroism.
Verse 18
The spirit came upon Amasai - "The spirit of fortitude clothed Amasai, the chief of the mighty men; and he answered, For thy sake, O David, are we come, that we may be with thee, thou son of Jesse.
Prosperity be to thee by night and by day; and prosperity be to thy helpers; for the Word of the Lord is thy assistant." - T.
Verse 22
Like the host of God - "That is, a very numerous army; like the army of the angel of God." - T.
Verse 23
And came to David to Hebron - That is, after the death of Ish-bosheth, Saul's son. See [2Sam 4:5].
Verse 27
Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites - Abiathar was then high priest, and Jehoiada captain over the warriors of the house of Aaron.
Verse 32
Children of Issachar - According to the Targum they were all astronomers and astrologers: "and the sons of Issachar, who had understanding to know the times, and were skilled in fixing the beginnings of years, the commencement of months, and the intercalation of months and years; skillful in the changes of the moon, and in fixing the lunar solemnities to their proper times; skillful also in the doctrine of the solar periods; astrologers in signs and stars, that they might show Israel what to do; and their teachers were two hundred chiefs of the Sanhedrin: and all their brethren excelled in the words of the law, and were endued with wisdom, and were obedient to their command." - T. It appears that in their wisdom, experience, and skill, their brethren had the fullest confidence; and nothing was done but by their direction and advice.
Verse 39
They were with David three days - These were the deputies of the different people mentioned here: it is not possible that all the thousands mentioned above could have feasted with David for three days; and yet it appears there was even of these a great number, for the men of Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali, who were nearest to this place of rendezvous, had brought all the necessaries for such a feast. From the whole it appears most evident that the great majority of the tribes of Israel wished to see the kingdom confirmed in the hands of David; nor was there ever in any country a man more worthy of the public choice. As a statesman, warrior, hero, poet, and divine, he stands unrivalled in the annals of the world: by him alone were the Israelites raised to a pitch of the highest splendor; and their name became a terror to their enemies, and a praise in the earth. But, alas, how are the mighty now fallen!
Introduction
David consults with his officers, and resolves to bring back the ark from the house of Abinadab, [1Chr 13:1-4]. They place it on a new cart, and Uzza and Ahio drive the cart; the oxen stumbling, Uzza puts forth his hand to save the ark from falling, and he is smitten by the Lord, [1Chr 13:5-10]. David is displeased, and orders the ark to be carried to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, [1Chr 13:11-13]. The ark abides there three months, and the Lord blesses Obed-edom, [1Chr 13:14].
Verse 1
David consulted - Having taken the strong hold of Zion from the Jebusites, organized his army, got assurances of the friendly disposition of the Israelites towards him, he judged it right to do what he could for the establishment of religion in the land; and as a first step, consulted on the propriety of bringing the ark from an obscure village, where it had remained during the reign of Saul, to the royal city or seat of government.
Verse 5
From Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath - "Therefore David gathered all Israel, from the Nile, נילוס Nilos, of Egypt, even to the entrance of Antioch." - T.
Verse 6
Whose name is called on it - "Where his name is invoked." - T.
And so the Hebrew, אשר נקרא שם asher nikra shem, should be understood, his name was not called on it, but invoked at it.
Verse 7
In a new cart - Lest it should be profaned by being placed on any carriage that had been employed about common uses.
Uzza and Ahio - All the versions understand אחיו achyo as signifying brother or brothers; so does Jarchi, who observes, from [2Sam 6:3], that these were the sons of Abinadab.
Verse 9
Uzza put forth his hand - See this transaction explained [2Sam 6:6] (note), etc.
Verse 14
The Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom - That this man was only a sojourner at Gath, whence he was termed Gittite, and that he was originally a Levite, is evident from [1Chr 15:17], [1Chr 15:18].
The Targum ends this chapter thus: "And the Word of the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and his children, and his grand-children; and his wife conceived, and his eight daughters-in-law: and each brought forth eight at one birth, insomuch that in one day there were found, of fathers and children, fourscore and one; and He blessed and increased greatly all that belonged to him." This exposition will not be generally received; but all rabbins must be allowed to deal in the marvellous.
For other remarks see on [2Sam 6:1] (note), etc.
Introduction
Hiram sends artificers and materials to David, to build him a house, [1Chr 14:1], [1Chr 14:2]. David's wives and children, [1Chr 14:3-7]. He defeats the Philistines in two battles: one in the valley of Rephaim, [1Chr 14:8-12]; and the other at Gibeon and Gazer, [1Chr 14:13-16]. His fame goes out into all the surrounding nations, [1Chr 14:17].
Verse 1
Now Hiram king of Tyre - See the transactions of this chapter related [2Sam 5:11-25] (note).
Verse 4
These are the names of his children - In [2Sam 5:14-16] (note), eleven persons only are mentioned in the Hebrew text, but the Septuagint has twenty-four, here there are thirteen, and all the versions have the same number, with certain varieties in the names. - See the notes there.
Verse 8
The Philistines went up to seek David - See on [2Sam 5:17] (note).