Chapter XXV
into account, and therefore is no way contradictory to the prophetic menace denounced against his father (Jeremiah
Ver. 1-3. Jerusalem Again Besieged. 1. Sfebmhadnezzar . . . came . . . against Jerusalem, and pilcliod against it—Incensed by the revolt of Zedekiah, the Assyrian despot determined to put an end to the perfidious and inconstant monarchy of Jndea. This chapter nan rates his third and last invasion, which he conducted In person at the head of an immense army, levied out of all the tributary nations under his swa.v. Having overrun the northern parts of the country, and taken almost all the fenced cities (Jeremiah 3-1. 7), he marched direct to Jerusalem to invest it. The djite of the beginning as well as of the end of the siege is here carefully marked (cf. Ezekiel 24. 1; Jeremiah 39. 1; 52. J-fi); from which it appears, that; with a brief interruption caused by Nebuchadnezzar's marching to opv>ose the lOgyptians who were ooming to its relief, but who retreated without light-
36. 30). 7. tlic king of Egypt— i. e., Pharaoh-nechoh.
8,9. Jehoiachin Succeeds Him. 8. Jeholacliin—i. e., Ood appointed, contracted into Jcconiah and Coniah (Jeremiah 22. 21). eigliteen years old wlien lie began to reign —At the age of eight liis father took him into partnership
In the government (2 Chronicles 36. 9). He began to reign alone at eighteen. 9. lie did tlint tvliicli «ns evil in the sight of the Lord—Untaught by experience, and deaf
to the prophetic warnings, he pursued the evil courses which had brought so many disasters upon the royal family as well as the people of Judah. This bad character
is figuratively but strongly depicted (Ezekiel 19. 5-7).
10-16. Jerusalem Taken. 10. at that time—Within three months after his accession to the throne; it was the
spring of the year (2 Chronicles 36. 10) ; so early did he in-
dicate a feeling hostile to the interests of his Assyrian
ing, tlie siege lasted a year and a hnlf. 8o long a resistance was owing, not to the superior skill and valour of the Jewish soldiers, but to the strength of the city fortifications, on which the king too confidently relied (cf. ,Teremiah 21.; 37.; 3S). pitched against il, and . . . built forts-Riither, perhaps, drew lines of eircunivallatton, with a ditch to prevent any going out of the city. On this rampart were erected his military engines for throw'ing missiles Into the city. on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevaileil—In conse(|uence of the close and protracted blockade, the inhat)ilants were reduced to dreadful extremities; and, under the maddening influence of hunger, the most inhuman atrocities were perpetrated (Lamentations 2. 20, 22; t. 0, 10; Ezekiel ,5. 10). This was a fulfilment of the proplvetic denunciations threatened on the apostasy of the chosen people (Iicviticus
liege-lord, by forming a league with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar sent his generals to besiege Jerusalem, as Jeremiah had foretold (22. 18 ; 21. 30), and soon after followed in person. Convinced of tlie hopelessness of making any
efiectual resistance, Jehoiachin, going to the camp of the
besiegers, surrendered {v. 12), in the exi)ectatioh, probably,
of being allowed to retain his throne as a vassal of the Assyrian empire. But Nebuchadnezzar's clemency towards the kings of Judali was now exhausted, so that Jehoiachin was sent as a captive to Babylon, according to Jeremiah's prediction (22. 21), accompanied by the queenmother (the same who had held thatdignity under Jehoahaz) (ch. 23. 31), his generals, and officers. This happened in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, computing from the time when he was associated with his father in the government. Those that were left consisted chiefly of the poorer sort of people, and the unskilled workmen. The palace.and the temple were ransacked. The smaller golden vessels had been taken on the tir.st capture of Jerusalem, and placed by Nebuchadnezzar in the temple of his god as tokens of victory, and used by Belshazzar at his impious feast, for the purpose of rewarding his army with these trophies, amongst which were probably the golden candlesticks, ark, &c. (cf. 2 Chronicles 36. 7 ; Daniel
26.29; Deuteronomy 28.53-57; Jeremiali 15.2; 27. 13; Ezekiel
i. 16).
4-30. Zedekiah Taken. 4. the city was broken up—
i. e., a breach was efl'ected, as wo are elsewhere int\)rmed, in a part of the wall belonging to tlie lower (^Ity (2 Chron-
icles 32. 5; 33. H). the men of ^vnr iled I>jnljvlit by the tvay of the gate lH'twe<'n two walls, which is by the king's garden—
''I'lie king's garden was (Netu-miali 3. 15) at the po{il of Silo.'ini. /. <., at the riioulli of (lie Tyr<))vT>on. A trace of tlie outermost of lliese two wiills ai>pears to bo
1. 2). Now the gold plating was torn oil' all the larger temple furniture. 13. as the Lonl had said— (cf. cli. 20.17; Isaiah 39. 6; Jeremiah 15. 13 ; 17. 3). The elite of the nation for rank, usefulness, and moral worth, all who might be
still extant, in the rude pathway wiiieh crosses flio mouth of the Tyropieon, on a mound hard liy the old mulberry
tree, which marks the tnulil lonal sjiot of Isaiah's nuirtyr-
useful in Babylon or dangerous in Palestine, were carried off to Babylon, to the number of ten thousand (v. U). These are fUJecilied {v. 15, 16), warriors, 7000; craftsmen and smiths, 1000; kings' wives, officers, and princes, also priests and prophets (Jeremiah 29.1; Ezekiel 1. 1), 2(XJ0; e(iual to 10,000 captives in all.
<loiii. f HoiuNSON.] It is prolmhle that the Ix-sii-gers had overlooked this pass, tlie king went . , . towaivl the plain— i. e., tlio tlhor, or valley of Jordan, estiln.ited at five hours' distance from Jerusalem. The plain near Jericho is about eleven or twelve miles bioiul. 0. they tool< the king and tirough* lilm ... to KIblali—Nebuchadnezzar, hiivliiii gone from the slegii to opi>o.se tho auxiliary forivs of I'liaraDli-hoph ra, his generals to carry on the blockaiie, lic> himself v\iX returning to tho scenic of act ion, hut taking u|) his slaMoh at Klbliih in the land of Ilamath (ell. 2:S. 33). tlary gave Judgment upon him—They, /. c, tho council (Ji^reiiiiah 'iO. 3. 13; Daniel (i.
17-20. Zedeki All's Evil Reign. 17. thehingof llabylon made Mattanlah, Itis father's Itrothir, king in lil.s stead-Adliering to his former policy of mainlalnii\g a show of monarchy, Nebuchadnezzar app<)inli;d the third and youngest sonof Josiah (1 Chronicles 3. 15), lull brother of Jehoahaz, and uncle of the captive Jehoiachin. But, according to the custom of conquerors, who changed the names of the great men they look cjiptivcs in war, in token of tlieir supremacy, ho gave him the new name of Zedekiah— ('. e., "The righteous of Ood." Tli's being a purely Ilobiow name, it seems that he allowed the puppet king tochooBe his own name wiueb was coallhued. His 218
7, S, 12), regnrdliig him as a scdillous and rebellious vassal, condemned hliii for vlolat lug his oalh ainl nei{le<'tlng the annoniicement of the nivine will as iiiiuli' known Vo him by Jeremiali (<?f. Jeremiah 3'2. 5; 31. 2; 3S. 171. Ills sons and the nobles who had Joined in his flight were sliiln before
Ills eyes (Jeremiah 39. 6; 52. 10). In conformity with
Adam^s Line, to Noah. 1 CHRONICLES 1. Tlte Sons of Ishmad.
em notions, which consider a blind man Incapable of
such a crisis. Many of the fugitive Jews, as well as the soldiers of Zedeltiah who had accompanied tlie king In his flight to the plains of Jericho, left their retreats (Jeremiah 40. 11, 12) and flocked around the governor; who, having counselled them to submit, promised them on complying with tills condition, security on oath that they would retain their possessions and enjoy the produce of their land (Jeremiah 40. 9). 35. Islimael ... of tlie seedroyal cam'e, and teii men with liim, and smote Gedaliah—He had found refuge with Baalis, king of tlie Ammonites, and he returned with,a bad design, biding either instigated by envy of a governor not descended from the house of David, or bribed by Baalis to murder Gedaliah. The generous governor, tliougli apprised of his intentions, refu.sed to credit the report, much less to sanction the proposal made by an attached friend to cut
ruling, his eyes were put out, and being put in chains, he was carried to perpetual imprisonment in Babylon (Jeremiah 52. 11), which, though he came to it, as Ezekiel had
foretold, he did not see (Jeremiah 32. 5; Ezekiel 12. 13; 17.
16). 8-18. on tlie geventli day of the month . . . came Nebuzar-adan—(cf. Jeremiah 52. 12.) In attempting to leconcile these two passages, it must be supposed either
that, though he had set out on the 7th, he did not arrive In Jerusalem till the 10th, or that he did not put his orders In execution till that day. His office as captain of the guard (Genesis 37. 36 ; 39. 1) called him to execute the awards of justice on criminals; and hence, although not engaged in the siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39. 13), Nebuzar-adan was despatched to rase the city, to plunder the temple, to lay both In ruins, demolish the fortifica-
tions, and transport the inhabitants to Babylon. The most eminent of these were taken to the king at Riblah
ofl" Ishmael. The consequence was, that he was murdered by this same Ishmael, when entertaining him in his own house (Jeremiah 41. 1). 36. and all the people came to Egypt—In spite of Jeremiah's dissuasions (Jeremiah 43. 7. 8), and settled in various cities of tliat country (Jeremiah 44. 1). 37. seven and twentieth year of the captivity of Jelioiachin—corresponding witli tlie year of Nebuchadnezzar's deatli, and his son Evil-merodach's ascension to tlie throne. Evll-merodach did lift up the head of Jelioiachin, and spnke kindly—gave liiiu lib-
(v. 27) and executed, as instigators and abettoi's of the rebellion, or otherwise obnoxious to the Assyrian government. In their number were Seraiah, the high priest, grandfather of Ezra (Ezra 7. 1), his sagan or deputy, a priest of the second order (Jeremiah 21. 2; 29. 25, 29 ; 37. 3). the three keepers of the door—not mere porters, but
officers of high trust among the Levites (ch. 22. 4; 1 Chron-
icles 9. 26). 19. live men of them that were in the king's presence i. e., who belonged to the royal retinue
ertj' upon parole. This kindly feeling is said to have originated in a familiar acquaintance formed in prison, in which Evil-merodach had lain till liis father's death, on account of some malversation while acting as regent during Nebuchadnezzar's seven years' illness (Daniel 4.
It is probable that there were five at first, and that other two were found afterwards (Jeremiah 52. 25). sa-ae. Nebucltadnezzar . . . made Gedaliali mler—The people permitted to remain were, besides the king's daughters, a few court attendants and others (Jeremiah 40. 7) too insignificant to be removed, only the peasantry who could
32, 33). But doubtless the improvement in Zedekiah's condition is to be traced to the overruling providence and grace of Him who still cherished purposes of love to the house of David (2 Samuel 7. 14, 15). 39. he ate continually before him—i. e., according to an ancient usage in Eastern courts, had a seat at the royal table on great days, and had a stated provision granted him for the maintenance of his exiled court.
till the land arid dress the vineyards. Gedaliah was Jeremiah's friend (Jeremiah 26. 24), and having, by the prophet's counsel, probably fled from the city as abandoned of God, he surrendered himself to the conqueror (Jeremiah 38. 2, 17), and being promoted to the government of Judea, fixed his provincial court at Mizpeh. He was W«U qualified to surmount the difficulties of ruling at
THE
FIRST BOOK OF
THE CHUONICLES.
24-28. Shem'sLineto Abkaham. 34. Shem, &c.—This comprises a list of ten, inclusive of Abraham.
Ver. 1-23. Adam's Line to Noah. 1. Adam, &c.—" Begat" must be understood. Only that one member of the family
29-31. Sons or Ishmael. 33. These are their generations—The heads of his twelve tribes. Tlie greatnorthern desert of Arabia, including the entire neck, was colonized bj' these tribes; and if we can recover, in the modern geography of this part of the country, Arab tribes bearing the names of those patriarchs, i. e., names corresponding with those preserved in the original catalogue of Scripture, we obtain at once so many evidences, not of mere similarity, but of absolute Identification. [ForsTER.] Nebaloth—Gave rise to the Nabathaaaus of the classic, and tlie £cni Nahat of Oriental writers. Kedar Tlie Arab tribe, El Khedeyre, on the coast of Hedgar. Abdetl—Abdilla, the name of a tribe in Yt-.men. 30. Dumah—Dumah and Tema, the great Arab tribes of Ben! Teman. Thus tliis writer [Historical, GKOGitAj'HY op Arabia] traces the names of all the Iicads of the twelve tribes of Ishmael as perpetuated in the clans or tribes of the Arabs in the present day.
Is mentioned, who came in the direct order of succession. 4-/S3. Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth—The three sons of this patriarch are enumerated, partly because they were the founders of the new world, and partly because the fulfilment of Noah's prophecy (Genesis 9. 2.5-27) could not otherwise appear to. have been verified. 13. Caslulilm (ofwhom came the Philistines), and Caphtorlm—Better rendered, "And Casluhim, of whom came the Philistim and Caphtorlm ;" they were brethren, the sons of Casluhim, and at first dwelt together, whence their names are used Interchangeably; and the Caphtorlm are described
as Inhabiting Azzah, or Gaza, the seat of the Philistines. 1*. th'c Jebusites, &c.—From this verse to v. 17 the names are npt thase of individuals, but of people who all sprang from Canaan ; and as several of them became extinct or were amdlgamated with their brethren, their national appellations are given instead of tlie personal names of their ancestors. 17. Vz, and Hiil, and Gether, and M«»hech—Or Mash ; these were the children of Aram, and ffranfltons of fihpm. (Genesis 10. 23.) 18. Arphaxad be^at Selah—Cainun, the father's name, is omitted here. (See on I.uke 3. 30.) 19. Peleg—(See on Genesis 10. 25.) 23. Ebnl—Or Obal. (Genesis 10. 28.)
32,33. Sons or Keturah. 33. sons of Keturoh—Tliese became founders of nomadic tribes in I lie north of Arabia and Syria, as Midian of the Midianites. (Genesis 36. 35; Judges 6. 2.) and Shuali—From wliom Bildad sprang. (Job 2. 11.)
3l-(2. Po.sTEUiTY OF Abraham BY Esau. 36. sons of Ellphaz—The tribe Adites, in the centre country of the
The Posterity, of Caleb. 1 CHKONICLES II. IIL The Sons of David.
called (Numbers 32.41; Deuteronomy 3.14) "the son of Manasseh." This designation implies that his inlieritance lay in that tribe in right of his grandmother; in other words, because his maternal and adoptinr; great-grandfather was Machir the son of Manasseh ; and
Saracens, so called from his mother, Adah. (Genesis 36.
10. ) Teman—Gave rise to the land of Teman, n ear th e h ead
of the Red Sea. Omar—The tribe Beni-Amma, settled at
the northern point of DJebel Shera (Mount Seir). Zeplil —The tr'be Dzaf. Gatam—Katam, inhabited by the tribe Al Saruat, or "people of Sarah." Kenaz—The tribe Afnezes, a tribe whose settlement lies in the neighbourhood of Syria. Amalek—The Beui Malak of Zohran, and the Beni Maledj of the Shat el Arab. 37. Reuel—A power-
Jair, inheriting his property, was his lineal representa-
tive; .and accordingly this is expressly stated to be the case ; for the village group of " Havoth-Jair" was awarded
to him in that tribe, in consequence of his valiant and patriotic exploits. This arrangement, however, took place previous to the law (Numbers 30.), by which it was enacted that heiresses were to marry in their own tribe. But this instance of Jair shows that in tlie case of a man obtaining an inheritance in another tribe it required him to become thoroughly incorporated with it as a representative of the family through \Yhich the inheritance was received. He had been adopted into Manasseh, and it would never have been imagined that ho w;is other than " a son of Manasseh " naturally, had not this passage given information supplementary to that of the passage in Numbers. 33. he took — rather "he had taken." This statement is accounting for his acquisition of so large a territory ; he got it by right of conquest from the former possessors. Kenatli—this place,. along with its group of surrounding villages, was gained by Nobah, one of Jair's officers sent by him to capture it (Numbers 32. 1, 2). all these belonged to the sons of Machir—In their number Jair is included as having completely identified himself l)y his marriage and residence in Gilead with thetribe of Manasseh. 34. Caleb-ephratah —so called from uniting the names of husband and wife
ful Ijianch of the great Aeneze tribe, the Rowalla Arabs. Shanimah—The great tribe Beni.Shammar. In the same way, the names of the other kings and dukes are traced
in the modern tribes of Arabia. But it is unnecessary
to mention any more of these obscure nomads, except
to notice that Jobab (v. 44), one of the kings of Edom,
is considered to be Job, and that his seat was in the royal
city of Dinahab (Genesis 36. 32), indentified with O'Daeb, a well-known town in the centre of Al Dahna, a great northern desert in the direction of Chaldea and the Eu-
phrates. [FORSTEB.]
Ver. 1, 2. Sons of Israel. Ver. 3-12. Posterity of JtJDAH. 3. The sons of Judali—His descendants are enumerated first, because the right and privileges of tlie primogeniture had been transferred to him (Genesis 49. 8), and because from his tribe the Messiah was to spring. 6. Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Carcol, and Dara —these five are here stated to be the sons of Zerah, i. e., of Ezra, whence they were called Ezrahites. (1 Kings 4. 31.) In that passage they are called "the sons of Mahol," which, however, is to be taken not as a proper name, but appellatively for "sons of music, dancing," &c. The traditional fame of their great sagacity and acquirements had descended to the time of Solomon, and formed a standard of comparison for showing the superior wisdom of t hat monarch. Jewish writers say that they were looked up to as prophets by their countrymen during the abode In Egypt. 7. the sons of Carml—He was the son of Zimri, or Zabdi, as he is called. (Joshua 7. 1.) Achar—or Achan. (Joshua 7. 1.) This variety in the form of the name is with great propriety used here, since Achar means " troubler."
{v. 19), and supposed to be the same as was afterwards called Bethlehem-ephratah. Aslmr, tlie father of Tekoa —(2 Samuel 14. 2-4). He is called the father, either from his being the first founder, or perhaps the ruler, of the
city. 34. Sheshau had no sons, but dangltters—either he had no sons alive at his death, or his family consisted wholly of daughters, of whom 'Ahlai (o. 31) was one, she being specially mentioned on account of the domestic relations about to he noticed. 35. Slieshan gave his daiiglnter to Jarha Ills servant to wife—The adoption and marriage of a foreign slave in the family where he is serving, is far from being a rare or extraordinary occurrence in Eastern countries. It is thought, however, by some to have been a connection not sanctioned by the law of Moses. [Michaelis.] But tliis is not a wellfounded objection, as the history of the Jews furnishes not a few examples of foreign pro.selytes in the same manner obtaining an inheritance in Israel; and doubtless JarhiX had previously embraced the Jewish fuitli in place of the grovelling Idolatries x)f his native Egypt. In such a case, therefore, there could bo no legal difficulty. Being a foreign slave, he luul no inheritance In a dilt'erent tribe to Injure by this connection; while nis marriage with Sheshan's daughter led to his adoption into the tribe of Judah, as well as his becomti\g heir of the family property. 4SJ. tl>e song of Caleb—(cf. v. IS, 25.) The sons here noticed were thi> fruit of his union with a third wife. 55. the fainllieg of tlie gerlbes—either civil or eccl(!siastlcal officers of the Kenite orlgfn, who are here classed with the tribe of Judah, not as being doKcended from it, but as dwelling within its territory, and In a measure incorporated with Its people. .Tabez—
13-17. Children of Jesse. 15. David the seventh As it appears (1 Samuel 16. 10; 17. 12) that Jesse had eight sons, the presumption is from David being mentioned here as the seventh son of his father, tliat one of them
had died at an early age, without leaving issue. 17. JTether the Ishmaellte—(cf. 2 Samuel 17. 25). In that passage he is called Ithra an Israelite; and there seems no reason why, in the early days of David, any one should be specially distinguished as an Israelite. The presumption is in favour of the reading followed by the Sept., which calls him "Jetra the Jezreelite." The circuniBtance of his settling in another tribe, or of a woman marrying out of her own tribe, was sufficiently rare and singular to call for the statement that Abigail was married to a man of Jezrcel.
18-5.5. Posterity OF Caleb. 18. Caleb the son of Hezyon—The notices concerning this pei-son appear confused in our version. In v. 19 he is said to be the father of llur, wliereas in v. 50 he is called " the son of Ilur." The words in this latter passage have been transposed in the copying, and should be read thus, "Hur the son of Caleb." begat children of Azubali his wife, and of Jeriotli—the former was his spouse, while Jerioth seems to have been a secondary wife, and the mother of the children whose names-are here given. On the death of his principal wife, he married Ephrath, and by her had Hur. ai. of Hezron
place In Judah (cli. 4. 9). ICenlteg that eaiue of Ileiiiath —wlio set tkHl in Judali, and were thus distinguished from another division of the Kenite clan which dwelt in Manasseh (Judges 4. 11).
Ver. 1-9. Hons of David. 1-3. Now tliege were the gong of David which were born unto liiiu in Hebron —It is of consequence for the proper understauiilng of events In the domestic history of David, to bear In mind the pla('o and time of his sous' birth. The eldest son, born
. . . daughter of 3Iachlr, fatlier of Gllend—». p., chief of that town, which with the lands adjacent was no doubt the property of Machir, who was so desirous of a nuile heir. He was grandson of Joseph. The wife of Machir wasof the tribe of Manasseh. (Numbers 20. 29.) 'Z'Z. .IolIv, wlio Iiad three and twenty citieg iit tike land of Gilead —As tlie son of Segub and the grandson of Hezron, he was Of the trioe of Judah ; but from his maternal descent he Is 250
<^/i!(•J• Ills father's accession to the sovereign autliorlty, Is according to Eastern notions, the proper heir to the throne. And hence the natural usplraliouB of ambltlou
Da.vid!i Line, io Zedekiah. 1 CIIIIO^'ICLES IV. Of Jahez, and his Pi aytf,
In Amnon, who was long unaware of the alienation of the crown, and could not be easily reconciled to the claims of
a younger brother being placed above his own 'see on 2
Ver. 1-8. Posterity of Judah sy Caleb the Son o» HuR. 1. The sons of Judali i. c, tlie descendants—foi with the exception of Pharez, none of tliose here noticed were his immediate sons. Indeed-, the others are mentioned solely to introduce tlie name of Sliobal, whose genealogy the historian intended to trace (cli. 2. 52).
Saraue^ 3. 1-5). 3. Eglali his wife—Supposed to be another name of Michal, who, though she had no son after her mockery of David for dancing before the arlt, might have liad one previous to that time. She has the title of
wife appended to her name, because she was his proper
9-20. Of Jabez, and His Prayer. 9. Jabc*— was, aa many think, the son of Coz, or Kenaz, and is here eulogized for his sincere and fervent piety, as well, perhaps, as for some public and patriotic works wliicli he performed. Tlie Jewisli writers athrni that lie was an eminent doctor in the law, whose reputation drew so many scribes around him tliat a town was called by his name
wife; and the mention of her name last, probably arose from the circumstance that, having been withdrawn from David and married to another husband, but afterwards
restored, she had in reality become the last of his wives.
6. four, of Batlt-shua the daughter of Ammiel—Or Bath-sheba (2 SamvTcl 11. 3), and there her father is called Eliam. Of course Solomon was not her "only son," but he is called so (Proverbs 4. 3) from the distinguished affec-
(ch. 2. 55); and to the piety of his'cliaracter tliis passage bears ample testimony. The memory of the critical circumstances wiiich marked )iis birth was perpetuated in his name (cf. Genesis 35. 15) ; and yet, in tlie development of his high talents, or distinguished worth in after-life, his mother must have found a satisfaction and deliglit
tion of which he was tlie object, and though the oldest, is named the last of Bath-sheba's children. 6. EllsHamu and Ellphelet^Two sons of the same name are twice mentioned (v. 8). They were the children of different mothers, and had probably some title or epitliet appended
tliat amply compensated for all her early trials. The prayer of his which is here recorded, and wliicli, like Jacob's, is in the form of a vow (Genesis 2S. 20), seems lo_ have been uttered when he was entering on an important or critical service, for the successful execution of which he placed confidence neither on his own nor his people's prowess, but looked anxiously for the aid and blessing of God. The enterprise was in all probability tlie expulsion of the Canaanites from the territory lie occupied, and as this was a war of extermination, wliich God himself had commanded, Kis blessing could be tlie more reasonably asked and expected in preserving them from all the evils to which the undertaking miglit expose hini. In the words, " that it may not grieve me," and which might l)e more literally rendered, "tliat I may have no more sorrow," there is an allusion to the meaning of his name Jabez—signifying grief ; and the import of this petition is. Let me not experience the grief which my name implies, and which my sins may well produce. God granted him that which he reqnested— Whatever was the kind of. undertaking which roused his anxieties, Jabez enjoyed a remarkable degree of prosperity, and God, in his instance, proved that He was not only the hearer, but the answerer of prayer. 13. the sons of Kenaz—the grandfather of Caleb, who from that relationsliip is called a Kenezite (Numbers 32. 12). 14. Joab, the father of the valley of Carashlm lit., the father of the inhaliitants of tlie valley —the valley of craftsmen, as tlie word denotes. They dwelt together, according to a custom which, independently of any law, extensively prevails in Eastern countries for persons of the same trade to inhabit the same street or the same quarter, and to follow the same occupation from father to son, through many generations. Their occupation was probably that of carpenters, and the valley where they lived seems to have been in the, neighbourhood of Jerusalem (Nehemiah XL 35). 17, 18. she bare Miriam—It is difficult, as the verses stand at present, to see who is meant. The following readjustment of the text clears away the obscurity : " These are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, which Mered took, and she bare Miriam, &c., and his wife Jeliudijah bare Jezreel," &c. Jehudljah—the Jewess, to distinguish her from his other wife, who was an Egyptian. This passage records a very interesting fact—the marriage of an Egyptian princess to a descendant of Caleb. The marriage must have taken place in the wilderness. The barriers of a different national language and national religion kept the Hebrews separate from the Egyptians; but they did not wholly prevent Intimacies, and even occasional intermarriages between private individuals of the two nations. Ere such unions, however, could be sanctioned, the Egyptian party must have renounced idolatry, and this daughter of Pharaoh, as appears from her name, had become a convert to the worship of the God of Israel.
by which the one was distinguished from the other. Or,
It might be, that the former two were dead, and their names were given to sons afterwards born to preserve their memories. 8. nine—The number of David's sons born after his removal to Jerusalem, was eleven (2 Samuel 5. 14), but only nine are mentioned here: two of them being omitted, either in consequence of their early deaths, or of their leaving no Issue.
10-16. His Line to Zebekiah. 10. Solomon's son xrua Rehoboam, &c.—David's line is here drawn down to the captivity, through a succession of good and bad, but still influential and celebrated, monarchs. It has rarely happened that a crown has been transmitted from father to son. In lineal descent, for seventeen reigns. But this was the promised reward of David's piety. Tliere is, Indeed, observable some vacillation towards tlie close of this period—the crown passing from one brother to another, and even from uncle to nephew—a sure sign of disorderly timesand a disjointed government. 1.5. Zvdeklah —is called the son of Josiah (cf. Jeremiah 1. 3; 37. 1), but (2 Chronicles 36. 19) he Is described as tlie brother of Jehoiachin, who was the son of Jehoiakim, and consequently the grandson of Josiaii. Words expressive of affinity or relationship are used with great latitude in the Hebrew. Shallnm—No king of this name is mentioned in the history of Josiah's sons (2 Kings chaps. and H.), but there is a notice of Shallum the son of Josiah (Jeremiali 22. 11), who reigned in tiie stead of his father, and who is generally supposed to be Jehoahaz, a younger son, here called the fourth, of Josiah.
17-21. Successors of Jeconiah. 17. the sons of Jeconiah, Asslr—Rather, "Jeconiah the prisoner, or captive." This record of his condition was added to show that Salathiel was born during the captivity in Babylon (cf. Matthew 1. 12). Jeconiah was written childless (Jeremiah
22. 30), a prediction which (as the words that follow explain) meant that this unfortunate monarch should liave no son succeeding him on the throne. 18. Malchlram also—As far as Jeconiah, everything is plain ; but tliere is reason to suspect that the text in the subsequent verses has been dislocated and disarranged. The object of the sacred historian is to trace the royal line through Zerubl)abel, yet, according to the present reading, the genealogical stem cannot be drawn from Jeconiah downwards. The following arrangement of the text is given as removing all difflcultics. [Davidson's Herm.] (v. 17.) And the sons of Jeconiah the captive, Salathiel (Sheal-
tlel, Ezra 3. 2; Nehemlah 12. 1; Haggal 1. 12, 14; 2. 2) his son; V. 18. And the sons of Salathiel; Zerubbabel and Shimel; and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister, v. 19. And Hashubah, and Ohel, and Berechlah, and Hasadlah, Jushab-hezed.
«. 20. And Maloliiram, and Ilephaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedablah. v. 21. The sons of Haaanlah; Pelatiah and Jesaiah ; the sons of Rephaiah; his son Arnan, his son Obadiah, his son Shecaniah.
21-2;^. Posterity of Shelah. 31. Laadah . . . thti father of the house of them that wrought Ane linen—
Posterity of Simeon and of Reuben. 1 CHRONICLES V, VI. The Line of the PriesXt.
and the half-tribe of Mauasseh {v. 24) is given along with that of the Reubenites, as those three were associated in a separate colony. 10. Sharon—The term Sharon was applied as descriptive of any place of extraordinary beauty and productiveness. There were three places in Palestine so called. This Sharon lay east of the Jordan, upon their borders i. e., of Gilead and Bashan : Gklead proper, or at least the largest part, belonged to the Reubenites; and Bashan, the greatest portion of it, belonged to the Manassites. The Gadites occupied an intermediate settlement on the land which lay upon their borders. 17. All these were reckoned in tlie days of Jotham—his long reign and freedom from foreign wars, as well as intestine troubles, were favourable for taking a census of the people, and in the days of Jeroboam—the second of that name. 18-33. Hagarltes—or Hagarenes, originally synonymous with Ishmaelites, but afterwards applied to a particular tribe of the Arabs (cf. Psalm 83. 6). Jetur—his descendants were called Itureans, and the country Auran-
Here, again, Is another Incidental evidence that In veryearly times certiii n trades were followed by particular fam-
ilies among the Hebrews, apparently In hereditary succession. Their knowledge of the art of linen manufacture had been, most probably, acquired in Egypt, where the duty of bringing up families to the occupations of their forefathers was a compulsory obligation, whereas in Israel, as in many parts of Asia to this day. It was optional, though common. 3!3, 23. had the dominion In Aloab, and JTashnbl-leUem—"And these are ancient things;" seems a strange rendering of a proper name ; and, besides, conveys a meaning that has no bearing on the record. The Improved following translation has been suggested: "Sojourned in Moab, but returned to Bethlehem and Adaberim-athekim. These and the inhabitants of Netaim and Gedera were potters employed by the king in his own work." Gedera or Gederoth, and Netaim, belonged to the trMbe of Judah, and lay on the south-east border of the Philistines' territory (Joshua 15. 36; 2 Chronicles 2S. 18).
24-43. Of Simeon, a*. The sons of Simeon—They are classed along with those of Judah, as their possession was partly taken out of the extensive territory of the latter (Joshua 19. 1). The difference in several particulars of the genealogy given here from that given in other passages is occasioned by some of the persons mentioned having more than one name. !J7. lils brethren liad not many children— (see on Numbers 1. 22; 26.14). 31-43, These were their cities nnto tlxe reign of David—In consequence of the sloth or cowardice of the Simeonites, some of the cities within their allotted territory were only nominally theirs; but were never taken from the Philistines until David's time, when, the Simeonites having forfeited
itis, fx'om Hauran, its chief city. These, who were skilled in ai'chery, were invaded in the time of Joshua by a confederate army of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, who, probably incensed by the frequent raids of those marauding neighbours, took reprisals in men and cattle, dispossessed almost the whole of the original inhabitants, and colonized the district themselves. Divirifr Providence favoured, in a remarkable manner, the Hebrew army in this just war. 26. the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Piil—the Phal-luka of the Ninevite monuments (see on 2 Kings 15. 19). and the spirit of Tiglathpilcser—the son of the former. By them the transjordaiilo tribes, including the other half of Manasseh, settled In Galilee, were removed to Upper jVIedia. This was the first captivity (2 Kings 15. 29).
all claim to them, he assigned tliem to his own tribe of Judah (1 Samuel 27. 6). 38, 39. increased greatly, and they went to the entrance of Gedor—Simeon having only a part of the land of Judah, they were forced to seek accommodation elsewhere ; but their establishment in the new and fertile pastures of Gederah was soon broken up,
Ver. 1-18. LtNEOF thePkiests. 5. tizxl-lt is supposed that. In his days, the higli priesthood was, for unrecorded reasons, transferred from Eleazar's family to Ithamar's, In which It continued for several generations. 10. he It
for, being attacked by a band of nomad plunderers, they were driven from place to place till some of them effected by force a settlement on Mount Seir.
Is that executed the priest's ofHce in the temple that Solomon built In Jemsaleiik— It is<IoubtfuI whether the person in favour of whom tliis testimony is borne be Johanan or Azariah. If the former, he is tlie same as Jehoinda, who rendered Important public services (2 Kings
Ver. 1-10. The Line of Reuben. 1. Now the sons of Renben-In proceeding to give this genealogy, the sacred historian states, in a parenthesis {v. 1, 2), the reason why
11); if the latter, it refers to the worthy and independent part he act«d in resisting the unwiunintable eiu-roiichments of Uzzlah (2 Chronicles 20. 17). In the temple that Solomon built—^lescribed in tills particular manner to distingultih it from the second temple, M'hlch was in ex-
It was not placed first, as Reuben was the eldest son of Jacob. The birth-right, which by a foul crime he had forfeited, implied not only dominion, but a double portion (Deuteronomy 21. 17), and both of these were transferred to Joseph, whose two sons having been adopted as the children of Jacob (Genesis 48. 5), received each an allotted portion, as forming two distinct tribes in Israel. Joseph then was entitled to the precedency ; and yet, as his posterity was not mentioned first, the sacred historian judged
Jstenc'e at the time when this history, was written. 14. Azaiiah begat Seraiah—Ho filled the supren\e pontifical
oftlce at the destruction of Jerusalem, and, along with his deputy and others, was executed by Nebuehndnezzur's orders at Riblah (2 Kings 25. 18, 21). The line of high priests, under the first temple, which from Zadok amounted to twelve, terminated with him. 10-48. The sons of l^evl | Gersbom, Ac.—This repetition (seer. 1) Is made, as the historian here begins to trace the genealogy of the Ijevltl-
It necessary to explain that " the genealogy was not to bo reckoned after the birth-right," but with a reforejice to a superior honour and privilege that had been conferred on Jadah—not the man, but the tribe, whereby It was Invested with the pre-eminence over all the other tribes, and out of it was to spring David with his royal lineage, and especially the great Messiah (Hebrews 7. 14). These were the two reasons why. In the order of enumeration, the genealogy of Judah Is Introduced before that of Reuben. 9. Elastward he lnhabitc<l unto the entering lit of the wilderness from the river E^iiphrateg—Thi^ settlement was on the east of Jordan, and the history of this
cal families who were not priests. The list is a long one, comprising the chiefs or heads of their several families until David's reign, who made a new and dlU'erent classification of them by cour.ses. 20. ZImiunh his son—His grandson (d. 42). 24. Uriel—or Zeplmnlali (d. .'!6). 2T. Klkanah—The father of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel
1.1). 2S. the sons of Samuel—Are lu're named Vashnl and Ablah. The first-born is called (1 Sanniol 8. 2)J».>cl; and this name Is given to him In v. .1!! of this eliupter. It
tribe, which never took any part in the public affairs or movements of the nation, is comprised in " the multiplication of their cattle in the land of Gllead," in their wars with the liedouln sons of Hagar, and in the simple labours of pastoral life. They had the right of pasture over an extensive mountain range—the great wilderness of Kedemoth (Deuteronomy 2. 26) and the Euphrates being a security against their enemies.
Is now g(!neriilly thought by the best critics that, tliroiiKl* an error of the cojiyists, an omission hsus been made of the eldest son's name, and that ViishnI, which Is not the name of a person, merely signifies "and the second," This critical emendation of the text makes all clear, as well as consistent with other passages reliitlng to th« family of Samuel. 3'3. In the lioiise of the l.oifl—^. In the tent which David had erected for receiving Iheitrk after It was removed from the house of Obed-edom. This
11-26. Tub Line of Oad. 11-15. the children of Gad dwelt over a||;ainst them—the genealogy of the Gudites
The -Sbn» of Jssachar and of Benjamin. 1 CHEONICLES VII, VIII. Of Naphlali and of ^fanasseh.
only are enumerated. Jediael—Or Asbel (Genesis 46. 21% 7. the sons of Bela—Each of them was chief or leader of the family to which he belonged. In an earlier period seven great families of Benjamin are inenti'oned (Numbers 26. 38), five of them being headed by these five sons of Benjamin, and two descended from Eela. Here five families of Bela are specified, whence we are led to conclude that time or the ravages of war had greatly changed the condition of Benjamin, or that tlie five families of Bela were subordinate to the other great divisions that sprang directly from the five sons of the patriarch, la. Shuppim also, and Huppim—Tliey are called (Genesis
was a considerable time before the temple was built, tliey watted on tlxeir office according to their order—Wllicil David, douljtless by the direction of the Holy Spirit, had Instituted for the better regulation of Divine worship. 33. Shemiiel —i. e., Samuel. This is the exact repre.sentation of the Helirew name. 39. Jits brother AsapH—They were brothers naturally, botli being descended from Levi, as
<rell as olfidally, both being of the Levitical order. 43. Ethan—Or Jedutlmn (ch. 9, 16; 2 Chronicles 35. 15). 4:8. their brethren also, the Leviteg, were appointed unto aU manner of service—Those of them who were endowed with musical tastes and talents were employed In various other departments of the temple service.
46. 21) Muppim and Huppim, and (Numbers 28. 39) Hupham and Shupham; they were the children of Ir, or Iri
49-81. Office OF Aaron AND His Sons. 49. Bnt Aaron and his sons olfered, &c.—The office and duties of the high priests having been already described, the names of those who successively filled that Important office are recorded. 60. thirteen cities—No more than eleven are named here; but two additional ones are mentioned (Josliua 21. 10, 17), which makes up the tliirteen. 61. unto the sons of Kt<hath which were left i. e., in addition to the priests belonging to the same family and tribe of Levi, by lot ten cities—(Joshua 21. 26.) The sacred historian gives an explanation (v. 66). Eight of these are mentioned, But only two of them are taken out of the half tribe of Manasseh (v. 70); the names of the other two are given (Joshua 21. 21), where full and detailed notices of these arrangements may be found. 63. nnto the sons of Gershom—Supply "the children of Israel gave." 67. they gave unto them of the cities of refuge—The names of the cities given here are considerably diffei'ent from thosff applied to them (Joshua 21. 14). In the lapse of centuries, and from the revolutions of society, changes might have been expected to take place in the form or dialectic pronunciation of the names of those cities; and this will sufficiently account for the variations tliat are found in the lists as enumerated here and in an earlier book. As to these cities themselves, that were assigned to the Levites, they were widely remote and separated—partly in fulfilment of Jacob's prophecy (Genesis 49. 7), and partly that the various districts of the country might obtain a competent supply of teachers who might Instruct the people in the knowledge, and animate them to the observance of a law which had so Important a bearing on the promotion both of their private happiness and their national prosperity.
(v. 7). and Hushim, the sons (son) of Aher—Aher signi-
fies "another," and some eminent critics, taking Aher as a common noun, render the passage thus, "and Hushim, another son." Shuppim, Muppim and Hushim are plural words, and therefore denote not individuals, but the heads of their respective families; and as tliey were not comprised in the above enumeration (v. 7, 9) they are Inserted here in the form of an appendix. Some render the passage, "Hushim, the son of another," i. e., tribe or family: the name occurs among the sons of Dan (Genesis
46. 23), and It is a presumption in favour of this being the true rendering, that after having recorded the genealogy
of Naphtall (d. 13) the sacred historian adds, " tlie sons of Bilhah, the handmaid, who was the mother of Dan and Naphtall." We naturallj' expect, therefore, that these tm) will be noticed together, but Dan is not mentioned at
all. If not in this passage.
13. OfNaphtam. 13. Shallum-^r Shillem (Genesis
46. 24). sons of Bilhah—as Dan and Naphtall were her
sons, Hushim, as well as these enumerated in v. 13, were her grandsons.
14-40. Of Manasseh. 14. The sons of Manasseh—or descendants ; for Ashriel was a grandson, and Zelophehad was a generation farther removed in descent (Numbers 26.
33). The text, as it stands. Is so confused and complicated that It is exceedingly difficult to trace tlie genealogical thread, and a great variety of conjectures have been made with a view to clear away the obscurity. The passage should probably be rendered thus : "The sons of Manasseh were Ashriel, whom his Syrian concubine bare to him, and Machir, the father of Gilead (whom his wife bare to him). Machir took for a wife Maachah, sister to Huppim and Shuppim." 31. whom the men of Gath slew, &c. This Interesting little episode gives us a glimpse of the state of Hebrew society in Egypt; for the occurrence narrated seems to have taken place before the Israelites left that country. The patriarch Ephraim was then alive, though he must have arrived at a very advanced age
CHAPTEE VII.
Ver. 1-5. Sons of Issachab. 1. Jashub—Or Job (Genesis 46. 13). a. whose number was In the days of David two and twenty thousand and six hundred—Although a census was taken In the reign of David by order of that monarch. It Is not certain that the sacred historian had It In his eye, since we find here the tribe of Benjamin enumerated»whlch was not taken In David's time; and there are other points of dissimilarity. 3. tivej all of them chiefmen—Four only are mentioned ; so that as they are stated to be five. In this number the fatiier, Izrahlah, must be considered as included, otherwise one of the names must have dropped out of the text. They were each at the head of a numerous and influential division of their tribe. 5. fourscore and seven thousand—Exclusive of the 58,600 men which the Tola branch had produced (v. 24), so that in the days of David the tribe would have contained a population of 45,600. This large Increase was owing to the practice of polygamy, as well as the fruitfulness of tlie women. A plurality of wives, though tolerated among the Hebrews, was confined chiefly to the great and wealthy ; but it seems to have been generally esteemed a privilege by the tribe of Issachar, " for they had many wives and sons."
and the Hebrew people, at all events those of them who were his descendants, still retained their pastoral cliarac-
ter. It was In perfect consistency with the ideas and habits of Oriental shepherds that tliey should have made a raid on the neighbouring tribe of the Philistines for the purpose of plundering their flocks, for notliing is more common among them than hostile incursions on tlie Inhabitants of towns, or on other nomad tribes witli whom they have no league of amity. But a different view of the Incident is brought out, if, instead of "because," we render the Hebrew particle "when" they came down to take their cattle, for the tenor of the context leads rather to the conclusion that "the men of Gath" were the aggressors, who, making a sudden foray on the Ephraimite
flocks, killed the shepherds Including several of tlie sons of Ephraim. The calamity spread a deep gloom around the tent of their aged father, and was the occasion of his receiving visits of condolence from his distant relatives, according to the custom of the East, whicli is remarkably exemplified in the history of Job (Job 2. 11 ; cf. John 11. 19).
6-12. Of Benjamin. 6. The sons of Benjamin-Ten are reckoned (Genesis 46. 21), but only five (ch. 8. 1 ; Numbers 26. 38). Perhaps Ave of them were distinguished as chiefs of illustrious families, but two having fallen In the bloody wars waged against Benjamin (Judges 20. 46), there remained only three branches of this tribe, and these
Ver. 1-S2. Sons and Chief Men of Benjamin. 1. Ncvr Benjamin begat, &c.—This chapter contains some supplementary particulars In addition to what lias been 253
Original Registers of Israel and Judah. 1 CHRONICLES IX, X. SavTs Overthrow and Death.
earlier portion being extracted from the authenticated records of the nation ; and as to those which belong to the time of tlie captivity, they were drawn up by a contemporary writer, who, besides enjoying the best sources of information, and being of the strictest integrity, was guided and preserved from all error by Divine in.spiration.
fclready said regarding the tribe of Benjamin (ch. 7. 6). The names of many of the persons mentioned are different from tliose given by Moses—a diversity which may be accounted for in part on grounds formerly stated, viz., either that the persons had more than one name, or that the word "sons" Is used in a loose sense for grandsons or descendants. But there are other circumstances to be talien into account In considering the details of this chapter, viz., first, that the genealogies of the Benjamites were disordered or destroyed by the almost total extermination of this tribe (Judges 20.); secondly, that a great number of Benjamites, born In Assyria, are mentioned
fl, tlie Arst inhabitants that dwelt in their possesslona —This chapter relates wholly to the first returned exiles. Almost all the names recur in Nehemiah (chap. 11.), although there are differences which win be explained there. The same division of the people Into four classes was continued after, as before the captivity, viz., the priests, Levites, natives who now were called by the common name of Israelites and Nethinims (Joshua 9. 27 ; Ezra 2. 43 ; 8. 20). When the historian speaks of " the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions," he implies that there were otliers who afterwards returned and settled in possessions not.occupied bj' the first. Accordingly, we read of a great number returning successively under Ezra, Nehemiah, and at a later period. And some of those who returned to the ancient inheritance of their fathers, had lived before the time of the captivity (Ezra 3.12; Haggai 2.4, 10). 18. the king's gate—The king had a gate from his palace into the temple (2 Kings l(x 18), which doubtless was kept constantly closed except for the monarch's use; and although there was no king in Israel on the return from the captivity, yet the old ceremonial was kept up, probably in the hope that the sceptre would, ere long, be restored to the house of David. It Is an honour by which Eastern kings are distinguished, to have a gate exclusively devoted to their own special use, and which Is kept constantly closed, except when he goes out or returns (Ezekiel 44. 2). There being no king then In Israel, this gate would be always shut.
here, who returned from the long captivity In Babylon, and established themselves—some in Jerusalem, others in different parts of Judea. There were more returned from Babylon of the families belonging to this tribe than to any other except Judah ; and hence many strange names are here introduced ; some of which will be found in the
list of the restored exiles (cf. Ezra 2). 6. these are the sons of Ehud—Most probably the judge of Israel (Judges
3. 15). His descendants, who had at first been established In Geba in Benjamin, emigrated in a body under the direction of Gera (v. 7) to Manahath, wliere their increased numbers would find more ample accommodation. Manahath was within the territory of Judah. 8. Shaharalm begat clilldreii in tlie country of Moab—He had probably been driven to take refuge in that foreign land on the same calamitous occasion that forced Elimelech to emigrate thither (Ruth 1. I). But, destitute of natural affection, he forsook or divorced his two wives, and in the land of his sojourn married a third, by whom he had several sons. But there is another explanation given of the conduct of this Benjamlte polygamist. His children by Hushim are mentioned {v. 11), wliile his other wife is unnoticed. Hence it has been thought probable that It is Baara who is mentioned under the name of Hodesh, so called because her husband, after long desertion, returned and cohabited with her as before. 8S. These dwelt in Jeruiialem—The ordinary and stated inhabitants of Jerusalem were Judahites, Benjamites, and Levites. But at the time referred to here, the chiefs or heads of the principal families who are enumerated (v. 14-27) established themselves in the city after their return from tlie captivity.
Ver. 1-7. Saul's Overthrow AND De.\th. 1. Now the Philistines fought against Israel—The details of this chapter have no relat ion to the preceding genealogies, and seem to be Inserted solely to introduce the narrative of Daviii's elevation to the throne of the whole kingdom. The parallel between the books of Samuel and Chronicles commences with this chapter, which relates the issue of the fatal battle of Gilboa almost in the very sanu^ words as
.33-40. Stock of Saul and Jonathan. 33. Ner begat Kish—The father of Ner, though not mentioned here, is stated (ch. 9. 85) to have been Jehiel. Moreover, tlie fatlier of Kish is said (1 Samuel 9. 1) to have been Abiel, the son of Zeror, whence It would seem that Abiel and Nei were names of the same person. Abinadab — tlie eame as Ishui (1 Samuel H. 49). Esh-baal—that Is, Islibosheth. 34, Merib-baal—that Is, Mephibosheth. 30. Jehoada—or Jara (ch. 9. 42). 40. mighty men of valour, archers—(see on Judges 20. 16). Groat strength as well as skill was requisite in ancient archery, as tlie bow, which was of steel, was bent by treading with the feet, and pulling the string with both hands.
1 Samuel 31. 3. the battle went sore against Saul ; and the archers hit him, and he was wonntled—The Heb, words may be thus rendered : The archers found (attacked) him, and he feared the archers. He was not wounded, at least dangerously, when he resolved on committing sui-
cide. The deed was the effect of sudden terror and overwhelming depression of spirits. [Calmkt.] 4. his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid— lie was, of course, placed in the .same p(-rilous condition as Saul. But It Is probable that the feelings that restrained him from complying with Saul's wish were a profound respect for royalty, mingled with apprehension of the shock which such aeatiustrophe would give to tlie national feelings and Interests. 0. Suul died, and his three sons, and all his l»ou«c—His sons and courtiers who were here engaged in tlie battle. But It appears that Ish-bpshetli and Mephibosheth were kept at Glbeah on account of their youth.
Ver. 1-26. Original Registers of Israel and Judah'8 Genealogies. 1. all Israel were reckoned by genealogies—From the beginning of the Hebrew nation, public records were kept, containing a registration of the name of every Individual, as well as the tribe and family to which he belonged. "The book of the kings of Israel and Judah" does not refer to the two canonical books that are known In Scripture by that name, but to authenticated copies of those registers, placed under tlio official care of the sovereigns; and as a great number of the Israelites (v. ;i) took refuge In .ludali during the Invasion of Shalmaneser, they carried the public records along wltli tliem. The genealogies given In the preceding chapters were drawn from the public records In the arcliives both of Israel and Judah; and those given In this chapter relate to tlie period Kubse(|uont to the restoration ; wli<!nce It appears (cf. ch. H. 17-24) that the genealogical registers were kept ilurlng tliecaptivity In Babylon. These g(!nealoglcal tables, then, fkr«of the highest authority for truth and correctnc^.ss, the
8-14. The riiiLisTiNES TRIUMPH Over Him. 10. put his armour in the house of their gods—It was eominou among the heathen to vow to a national or favourite deity,
that, in tlie event of a victory, the armour of the enemy's king, or of some eminent leader, should bo dedicated to him as an olferlng of gratitude. Such tropliles were usually suspended on the pillars of the temple. fasJencd hia head in lite temple of Uagon—While tlH^ trunk or head-
l(!ss corpse was adlxed to the wall of Bclli-shan (1 Samuel
31. 10). 13. Saul died for his trunsgresHion which ha committed against theLnnl—In having spai'ed the king of the Amalekltes, and taken the flocks of the people as spoils, as well as In having conKulted a pythoness. Both of these a(!ls wisro great sins—the first a.s a violation of God's express and positive command, and llu^ second ad
2.')4
A Cutaloytte of DavicPs . Worthies, 1 CHRONICLES XI. XII. Those who came to David at Ziklag,
contrary to a well-known statute of the kingdom {Leviticus 19. 31). 14. And inquired not of the Lord—He had done so in form (1 Samuel 28. 6), but not in the spirit of a bumble penitent, nor with the believing confidence of a sincere worshipper. His inquiry was, in fact, a mere mockery, and his total want of all right religious impressions was manifested by his rushing from God to a wretched impostor in the service of the devil
This chivalrous act evinces the enthusiastic devotion of David's men, that they were ready to gratify iiis smallest wish at the risk of their lives. It is probable that, when uttering the wish, David had no recollection of the military posted at Beth-lehem. It is generally taken for granted that those who fought a way to the well of Bethlehem were the three champions just mentioned. But this is far from being clear, and, on the contrary, it would seem that three different heroes are refen-ed to, for Ablshai (v. 20) was one of them. The camp of the Philistines was in the valley of Rephaim (v. 15), which lay on the west of Jerusalem, but an outpost was stationed at Bethlehem (v. 16), and through this garrison they had to force a passage, iil. howbeit he attained not to the first three— (See on 2 Samuel 23.19.) 23. Benaiah ... of Kabzeel—A town in the south of Judah (Joshua 15.21; Kehemiah 11.25). It is said that "he had done many acts"—though three only are mentioned as specimens of his daring energy and fearless courage, slew two lionlilie men of Moab lit., lions of God, i. e., great lions or champions. This gallant feat was probably achieved In David's hostile invasion of Moab (2 Samuel 8. 2). also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a sno^vy day Probably a cave into which Benaiah had taken refuge from the snow-storm, and In which he encountered a savage lion which had Its lair there. In a spacious cave the achievement would be far greater than if the monster had been previously snared or cabined in a pit. 23. he went down—The ordinary phraseology for expressing an engagement in battle. The encounter of Benaiah with this gigantic Egyptian reminds us, in some respects, of David's combat with Goliath. At least, the height of this giant, which is about eight feet, and his armour, resembled his of Gath. ivlth a staff—j. e., having no other weapon in his hand than his walking-stick. 35. David set him over his guard-The Cherethites and Pelethitea that composed the small body-guard in immediate attendance on the king. 36. also the valiant men of the armies—This was the third degree of military rank, and Asahel was their chief; the names of few of those mentioned are historically known-. 27. Sliammotb—Between
Ver. 1-3. David MADE King. 1. Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron—Tills event happened on the death of Ish-bosheth (see on 2 Samuel 5.
1-3). The convention of the estates of the kingdom, the public and solemn homage of the representatives of the people, and the repeated anointing of the new king in their presence and by their direction, seem to have been necessary to the general acknowledgment of the sovereign on the part of the nation (cf. 1 Samuel 11. 15).
4-9. He Wins the Castle ofZion from the Jebusites BY JoAB'S Valour. 4. David and all Israel vi'ent to . . . Jebus—(see on 2 Samuel 5. 6-13). 8. Joab repaired the rest of the city—David built a new town to the nortli of the old one on Mount Zion; but Joab was charged with a commission to restore the part that had been occupied by the ancient Jebus, to repair the breaches made during the siege, to rebuild the houses which had been demolished, or burned in the sacking of the town, and to preserve all that had escaped the violence of the soldiery. This work of reconstruction is not noticed elisewhere. [Calmet.]
10-47. A Catalogue of His Worthies. 10. These . . . are the chief of tlie mighty men—(see on 2 Samuel 23.
8-39). They are here described as those who held strongly with him (Marg.) to make him king, &c. In these words the sacred historian assigns a reason for introducing the list of their names, immediately after his account of the election of David as king, and the conquest of Jerusalem—viz., tliat they assisted In making David king. In the original form of the list, and the connection in which it occurs in Samuel, there is no reference to the choice of a king, and even in this passage it
tliis name and Hebez, that of Elikah has evidently fallen out, as we may see (2 Samuel 23. 25). [Bebtheau.] 30. Maharai—Chief of the detachment of the guards who attended on the king in the tenth month—January—(cli. 27.
Is only in the clause introduced into the superscriptioii that such a reference occurs. [Keil.] 11-13. Jasliobeam, an Haclimonite—Or son of Hachmoni. He is called also son of Zabdiel (ch. 27. 2), so that, strictly speaking, he was the grandson of Hachmoni (cf. ch. 27. 32). lifted up his pear against three hundred, slain by him at one time —^The feat is said (2 Samuel 23. 8) to have been a slaughter of eight hundred \a one day. Some endeavour to reconcile the statements in that passage and In this by supposing that he slew eight hundred On one occasion and three hundred on another; while others conjecture tliat he attacked a body of eight hundred, and, having slain three hundred of them, the rest fled. [Lightfoot.] lH. the three mighties—Only two are mentioned, viz., Jashobeam and Eleazar—the third, Shammah (2 Samuel 23.
13 ; 2 Samuel 23. 28). 39. Naliaral—Armour-bearer to Joab
(2 Samuel 23. 37). The non-occurrence of Joab's name In any of the three catalogues is most probably to be accounted for by the circumstance that his office as commander-in-chief raised him to a position superior to all these orders of military knighthood. 41. Uriah the Hittite—The enrolment of this name in such a list, attesting, as it does, his distinguished merits as a brave and devoted officer, aggravates the criminality of David's outrage on his life and honour. The number of the names from V. 26 to 41 (exclusive of Asahel and Uriah, who were dead) is thirty, and from v. 41 to 47 is sixteen-making together forty-eight (see on ch. 27). Of those mentioned (v.
11), Is not named in this passage. 13. He was witlt David at Pas-dammim—It was at the time when he was a fugitive in the wilderness, and, parched with thirst under the burning heat of noonday, he wistfully tliought of Wie cool fountain of his native village. This is a notice of the achievement to whlch'Eleazar owed his fame, but the details are found only in 2 Samuel 23. 9-11, where it is further said that he was aided by the valour of Shammah, a fact corroborated in the passage before us (v. 14), where
2C-41), the greater part belonged to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; the sixteen names (v. 41-47) are all associated with places unknown, or with cities and districts on the east of the Jordan. The northern tribes do not appear to have furnished any leaders. [Bebtheau.]
Ver. 1-22. The Companies that came to David at ZlKLAG. 1-7. Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag—There are three lists given in this chapter, arranged, apparently, according to the order of time when the parties joined the standard of David, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul—t. e., when the king's jealousy had driven him into exile from the court and the country. ZikJag—(See on 1 Samuel 27.6.) It was during his retirement in that Philistine town that he was joined in rapid succession by the heroes who afterwards contributed so much to the glory of his reign. of Saul'a brethren of Benjamin i.e., of the tribe Of 255
11 is recorded of the heroes, that "they set themselves in the midst of that parcel." As the singular number is used in speaking of Shammah (2 Samuel 23. 12), the true view seems to be' that when Eleazar had given up from exhaustion, .Shammah succeeded, and by his fresh and extraordinary prowess preserved the field, barley—Or lentiles (2 Samuel 23. 11). Ephes-dammim was situated between Shocoh and Azekah, In the west of the Judahite territory. These feats were performed when David acted as Saul's general against the Philistines. 15-19. DavM longed and said, Oh that one would give me drink ... of the well of Beth-lehem—(Se« 2 Samuel 23. 15).
1 CHRONICLES XIII.
He brings the Ark from Kirjalh-jeanm.
Those who came to David at Zihag.
military divisions of their tribe. 21, 33. they helped David against the band i. e., the Amalekitos wlio had pillaged Ziklag in David's absence. This military expedition was made by all his men (1 Samuel 30. 9), who, aa David's earlj' helpers, are specially distinguislied from those who are mentioned in the latter portion of the chapter, the host of God—i. e., a great and powerful army.
Benjamin (cf. v. 29), but some of them might be relatives of the king. This movement to which the parties were
led, doubtless by the secret impulse of the Spirit, was of vast importance to the cause of David, as it must have been founded on their observation of the evident withdrawal of God's blessing from Saul, and His favouring presence with David, to whom it was universally kiiown the Divine King of Israel had given the crown in rever-
23-40. The Armies that Came to Him at Hebrok. 33. these are the numbers of the bands . . . that came to David to Hebron—after the death of Isli-bosheth (2 Samuel 5. 1). to turn the kingdom of Saul to him according to the word of the Lord—(Ch. 10. 14 ; II. 3, 10.) The account commences with fhe southern tribes, Levi being associated with Judah and Simeon, as tlie great majority of the leading men in this tribe resided in Judah, and, after recounting the representatives of the northern tribes, concludes with those on the east of Jordan. 37. Jehoiada, the leader of the Aaronltes not the high priest, for that was Ablathar (I Samuel 23. 9), but the leader of the Aaronite warriors, supposed to be thefatherof Benaiah(ch.ll.22). 39. Benjamin . . . 3000— This small number shows the unpopularity of the movement In this tribe ; and, Indeed, it is expressly stated that the mass of the population had, even after Ish-boshoth's death, anxiously endeavoured to secure the crown in the family of Saul. 33. children of Issachar, that had understanding of the times, &c.—Jewish writers say that the people of this tribe were eminent for their acquirements in astronomical and physical science; and the object of the remark was probably to show that the Intelligent and learned classes were unltetl with the military, and had declared for David. 33. Zebulon . . . could keep rank—I. e., were more disciplined soldiers than the
sion. The accession of the Benjamites who came first and their resolution to share his fortunes must have been particularly grateful to David, as it was a public and emphatic testimony by those who had enjoyed the best means of information to the unblemished excellence of his character, as well as a decided protest against the grievous wrong inflicted by causelessly outlawing a man who had rendered such eminent services to his country. 4. Ismalali llie Glbconlte—It appears that not only the Canaanites who were admitted into the congregation (Joshua 9.), but people of the tribe of Benjamin, were among the inhabitants of Gibeon. The mention of "the Gederathite," probably from Gaderah (Joshua 15. 3G), in the lowlands of Judah ; of the Korhites (v. 6), from Korah
(ch. 2. 43), and of Gedor (v. 7), a town in Judah, to the south-west of Bethlehem (cf. ch. 4. 4), shows that this
first list contains men of Judah as well as Benjamin. IBertheau.] 8-13. of tlie Gadltcs tliere separated themselves unto David i. e., from the service of Saul and from the rest of the Gadites who remained steadfast adherents of his cause. Into the hold—or fortress,
i'. e., of Ziklag, which was In the wilderness of Judah. wh,ose faces were like the faces of lions, Ac.—A fierce, lionlike countenance (2 Samuel 1. 2:?), and great agility in pursuit (2 Samuel 2. 18), were qualities of the highest esti mation in ancient warfare. I*, one of the least was over an hundred, anil the greatest was over a thousand David, while at Ziiilag, had not so large an amount of forces as to give to each of th^se tlie command of so many men. Another meaning, therefore, must obviously be sought, and excluding was, which is a supplement by our translators, the import ©f the passage Is, that one of the least could discomfit a hundred, and the greatest was worth a thousand ordinary men ; a strong hypertiole to express their uncommon valour. 15. These are tliey that went over Jordan in tl>e flrst month
rest, not of double lieart—Though their numbers were large, all were In a high degree well atTectcd to David. 38. all the rest of Israel were of one heart to make David king— £. e., entertained a unanimous desire for his elevation. 39, 40. there tliey were with David , three days, eating and drinking—According to thP statements made in the preceding ver.ses, the number of armed warrioi-s assembled in Hebron on this occasion amounted to .300,000. Supplies of provisions were abundantly furnished, not only by the people of llie neighbourhood, but from distant parts of the country, for all wished the festivities to be on a scale of liberality and magnificence suitable to the auspicious occasion.
i.e., in spring, when the swollen river generally fills up the banks of its channel (see on Joshua 3. 15; 4. 19; 5. 10). they put to flight all them of the valleys—This was probably done at the time of their separating themselves; and their purpose being discovered, they had to cut their passage tlirough the opposing adherents of Saul, both on the eastern and western banks. Tlie impossibility of taking the fords at such a time, and the violent rapidity of the current, make this crossing of the Jordan —in whatever way these Gadites accomplished It^a remarkable feat. 16. the children of Benjamin and Judah—It is probable that the Benjamites Invited the Judahites to accompany them, in order to prevent David being suspicious of them. Their anticipations, as the result showed, were well founded. He did suspect them, but the doubts of David as to their object in repairing to him, were promptly dispelled by Amasal or Amasa, who, by the secret impulse of the Spirit, assured him of their strong attachment and their zealous service from a nnanimous conviction that his cause was owned and blessed of God (1 Samuel 18. 12-14). 19-32. there fell 8omc of Mnnassch—The period of their accession Is fixed a§ the time wiien David came with the Pliillstliies against Saul to battle, " but they helped them not" (s(?e on 1 Samuel 29. 4). 20. As he went to Zilclag—If those MannsBites joined him on his return to Ziklag, after his dismissal from the Philistine army, then tlieir arrival took place before the battle of Oilboa could have been fought (cf. 1 Samnel 2!). 11). Convinced of the desperate state of Saul's aflTairs, tliey abandoned him, and resolved to transfer their allegiance to David. But some learned men lliln'.; that they came as fugitives from that disastrous flel<l. [Calmkt and Ewai<d.] captains of the thousnnds of Manasseh-Those seven were commanders of the largo