Chapter XXV (continued, part 2)
Vcr. 1-8. David Fetches the Ark from Ki'rjatiiJEARIM. 1-3. David consulted . . . And let us bring again the ark of our God—Gratitude for the high and splendid dignity to which he had been elevated would naturally, at this period, Impart a fresh animation and Impulse to the habitually fervent piety of David ; but, at the same time, he was animated by other motives; he fully understood his position as ruler under the theocracy, and, on entering on his duties, was resolved to ful-
fil his mission as a constitutional king of Israel. Accordingly, his flrst act as a sovereign related to the Interests of religion, and tlie ark being tlien tlio grand instrument and ornament of It, ho tjikes the opportunity of the olH-
clal representatives of the rfatlon being witli lilm, to consult them about the propriety of establislilng It in a moi'e public and accessible locality. The assembly at which bespoke of this consisted of the Sheloshlm, princes of thousands (2 Samuel O.I). During the reign of tlie lato king, the ark had been left in culpable negl(>et, and the consequence was that the people had, to a great extent, been careless about the ordinances of Divine worship, or had contented themselves with oflering •sacrifices at Gibeon, without any thought of the ark, tliougli H, was the clil<'f and most vital part of the taliernaele. Tho duty and advantages of this religious movement suggested by tlie king were appimMit, and the iiroposal met with universal approval. 2. if it seem good unto yon, and ... it be of the l>ord— c„ I Bhall eondndo that
David's Vidories nver the PhUislines. 1 CHRONICLES XIV, XV. He brings the Ark from Obed-edom.
this favourite measure of mine is agreeable to the mind
according to Divine directions, did not confront them. 1*. Go not up after them—Tlie tfxt in 2 Sniiiuel 5. 23, more correctly has, " Go not up.
of God, if it receive your hearty concurrence, let us cud abroad to our bretltren everywhere—He wislied
' turi» away from them —i. e., by stealing round a baca-grove, come upon tlieir rear, for God Is gone foi-th before thee—"The sound of the going in the tops of the mulberry trees,'' (. e., the rustling of the leaves by a strong breeze suddenly rising, was the sign by which David was divinely apprised of tlie precise moment for the attack. The impetuosity of his onset was likethegushof a pent-up torrent, wliich sweeps away all in its cour.se; and in allusion to this incident the place got its name. 16. From Gibeon ... to Gazer Geba or Gibea (2 .Samuel 5. 25), now Yefa, in tlie province of Judah. The line from this to Gazer was intersected
to malie it Itnown throughout tlie country, in order Oiat
there might be a general assembly of the nation, and
that preparations miglit be made on a scale and of a kind suitable to tlie inauguration of the august cere-
Uionial. and -willi them also the priests ajid Levites
. . . In their cities and sntaurtos—(See on Numbers 35.) The original terms, "Let us send," imply immediate exe-
cution ; and, doubtless, the publication of the royal edict would have been followed by the appointment of an earlyday for the contemplated solemnity, had it not been retarded by a sudden invasion of the Philistines, who were twice repulsed with great loss (2 Samuel 5. 17); by the capture of Jerusalem, and the transference of the seat of government to that city. Finding, however, soon after, peace restored and his throne established, ire resumed his preparations for removing the ark to the metropolis. 5. from Shihor of Egypt—(Joshua 15.4, 47; Numbers 34. 5;
Ijy the roads which led from Judah to the cities of the Philistines, and to recover possession of it, therefore, as was effected by this decisive battle, was equivalent to setting free the whole mountains of Judalj as far as their most westerly slope. [Bektheatj.]
1 Kings 8.65; 2 Kings 24.7; 2 Chronicles 7.8.) A small brook flowing into the Mediterranean, near the modern
Ver. 1-24. David Brings the Ark from Obed-edosc.
El-arlsh, which forms the southern boundary of Pales-
1. David made him houses in the city of David Through the liberality of his Tyrian ally (ch. 14. 1), David was enabled to erect not only a palace for himself, but to furnish suitable accommodation for his numerous family. Where polygamy prevails, each wife has a separate house or suite of apartments for lier.self and cliildren. prepared a place for the ark of God, and i>itched for It a tent i. e., made an entirely new one upon the model of the former the old tabernacle, which Moses had constructed.in the wilderness, and which had hitherto served the purpose of a sacred covering, being to be left at Gibeon, in consequence either of the unwillngness of the inliaiiitaiits ta part with such a venerable relic, or of there being no use for it in Jerusalem, where a more solid and sumptuous
tine, unto the entering of Ham.ath—The defile between the mountain ranges of Syria and the extreme limit of Palestine on the north. 6-14. David went up, and all
Israel, to BaalaU—(See on 2 Samuel 6. 1-11.) 0. whose name is called on it—Rather, " who is worsliipped there"
(2 Samuel 6. 2).
CHAPTEE XIV.
Ver. 1, 2. Hiram's Kindness to David; David's Felicity. 1. Now Hiram king of Tyre—The alliance with this neighbouring king, and the important advan-
tages derived from it, were amongst the most fortunate circumstances in David's reign. The providence of God appeared concurrent with His promise in smoothing the early course of his reign. Having conquered the Jebus-
edifice was contemplated. If it appear surprising tliat David "made him houses" before he prepared this new tabernacle, it should be remembered that lie had received no Divine intimation respecting such a work. 8. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of G<«1 but the licvltes—After the lapse of three months (ch. 13.'14) the purpose of transporting the ark to .Teru.sale'n was: resumed. Time and reflection had led to a discovery of the cause of the painful catastrophe tliat marred the first', attempt, and in preparing for the solemn procession that was now to usher the sacred symbol into its resting-pl.ace,
Ites, and made Zion the royal residence, he had now, along with internal prosperity, established an advan- |«geous treaty with a neighbouring prince; and hence, in
Uiiraediate connection with the mention of this friendly league, it is said, " David perceived that tlie Lord had confirmed him king over Israel." iJ. his kingdom Avas
lifted up on high, because of his people Israel—This is an important truth, that sovereigns are invested with royal honour and authority, not for their own sakes so much as for that of their people. But while it is true of
David took special care that the carriage should be regulated in strict conformity to the law (Numbers 4. 5, 15; 7.
all kings, it was especially applicable to the monarchs of
Israel, and even David was made to know that all his glory and greatness were given only to fit him, as the minister of God, to execute the Divine purposes towards the chosen people.
9; 10.17). 3. David gathered all Israel together—Somo are of opinion that this was done on one of the three great-
festivals, but at whatever time the ceremonial took place,
it was of great importance to summon a general convocation of the people, inany of whom, from the long-continued disorders of the kingdom, might have had little or no opportunity of knowing anything of the ark, which had been allowed to remain so long in obscurity and neglect. 4. David assembled the children of Aaron,, and the Levites—The children of Aaron were the two priests (v. 11), Zadok and Abiathar, heads of the two priestly houses of Eleazar and Ithamar, and colleagues, in the high priesthood (2 .Samuel 20. 25). The Levites werethe chiefs of their father's house (v. 12); four belonging to the Kohathlte branch, on whose shoulders the ark was to be borne, viz., Uriel, Shemaiah—descended from Elizaphan or Elzaphan—(Exodus 6. 22), Hebron (Exodu.s 6.
3-7. His Wives. 3. David took more wives at Jerusalem—(see on 2 Samuel 3. 5). His concubines are mentioned (ch. 3. 9), where also is given a list of his children
(v. 5-8), and those born in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5. 14-16). In that, however, the names of Eliphalet and Nogah do not occur, and Beeliada appears to be the same as Eliada.
8-17. His Victories over the Philistines. 8. all the Philistines went up to seek David—In the hope of accomiilishing his ruin (for so the phrase is used, 1 Samuel
23.15; 24.2,3) before his throne was consolidated. Their hostility arose, both from a belief that his patriotism would lead him, ere long, to wipe out the national dishonour at Gilboa, and by fear, that in any invasion of their country, his thorough knowledge of their weak points would give him superior advantages. They resolved, therefore, to surprise and crush him ere he was fairly seated on hl.s throne. 11. they came to Baal-perazlm ; and David smote them there—In an engagement fought at Mount Perazlm (Isaiah 28. 21), in the valley of R^phaim, a few miles west of Jerusalem, the Philistines were defeated and put to flight. 13. when they had left their gods—(see on 2 Samuel 5. 21). 13. the Philistines yet again spread themselves—They renewed the campaign the next season, taking the same route. David,
18; ch. 6. 2), and Ammlnadab from Uzziel (Exodus 0. 22). 13. sanctify yourselves—This special sanctification, which was required on all grave and important occasions, consisted In observing the strictest abstinence, as well as cleanliness, both in person and dress (see on Genesis 3.5. 2; Exodus 19. 10, 15) ; and In the neglect of these rules no step could have been taken (2 Chronicles 30. 3). 16-24. David spake to the chief of the Levites . . . tO' appoint sing-
ers with Instruments—These eminent' Levites were instructed to train the musicians and siiMjers who wero under them, for the solemn processiou. . Tlie perfo.nuera
DamcTs Festival Sacrifice, 1 CHRONICLES XVI, XVH. and Psalm of Tlianhxgvring.
second company, used harps and similar Instruments. 5. Jelel—is the same as Aziel (ch. lo. 201. G. Brnaiah also and Jcliaxlel—the name of the former is mentioned among the priests (ch. 15. 21), but not the latter. The otlice assigned to tliem was that of blowing trnnipets nt regular intervals before tlie ark anil in tlie tabernacle.
were langetl in tliree choirs or bands, and the names of
tlie principal leaders are given (v. 17, 18, 21), with the instruments respectively used by each. Ben (r. IS) is omitted (d. 20). Kitlier it was used merely as a common noun, to intimate that Zechariah was the son of Jaaziel or Aziel, or Ben is the same as Azaziah. C!s«-naniali, chief of tlie Leviees—He Was not of the six heads of the Levitical families, but a chief in consequence of l.is office, whicli required learning, v/itliout regard to birth or fam-
7-43. His Psalm OF TiiAXKi^.ivixG. 7. Tlien on th«* day David delivertd first this psalm — Amongst the other preparations for this solemn inaugurnf ion, the royal bard had composed .1 special hymn for the occasion. Doubtless it had been previously in fiie hands of Asapll and his assistants, but it was now pnlilicly committed to them as they entered for the first time on the performance of their sacred duties. It occupies the greater part of this chapter (v. 8-30), and seems to have been compiled from other ijsalnis of David, previously known to tlie Israelites, as the whole of it will be found, with very slight variations, in psalni 06.; 105. 1-15; 100. 17, 18. In the form, however, in whl(?h it is given by the saci-ed historian, it seems to have l>een the first psalm given for use in the tabernacle service; and abounding, as it does, with the liveliest ascriptions of praise to God for the revelation of His glorious character and the display of His marvellous works; containing, as it does, so many pointed allnsions to the origin, privileges and peculiar destiny of the cliosen people, it was adminihly calcnlateil to animate tlie devotions and call forth the gratitude of the assembled multitude. 36. all tlte people said, Amen—(cf. Psalm 72. li>,
ily, iiistnicteil about tHc song—He directed all these bands as to the proper time When each was to strike in or change their notes; or, as some render the passage, "He led the burdens, for he was skilled," i. e., in the custom which it was necessary to observe in the carriage of the holy things. [Bkrthe.vu.] 33. BerccnJ.-»li and Elkaiiali were rtoor-Ueepers—Who marched immediately in front, while Ol)ed-edom and Jeiel went in the rear, of the ark. %3. So Davirt aii»l tlie elders . . . and captains . . . went—The pious design of David in ordering all liis prin-
cipal ministers and officers to take part in this solemn work, and imparting so much pomp and imposing ceremony to the procession, was evidently to inspire the popular mind with a profound veneration for the ark, and
to give tlie young especially salutary impressions of
religion, wliieh would be renewed by tlie remembrance that they liad been witnesses of the august solemnity in whicli the king and tlie highest aristocracy of tlie land participated, vieing witli all other classes to do honour to the God of Israel. 20. It came to pass, Ac.—(see on 2 Samuel 6.'l3-23). tliey offered seven l>«Ho< U8 and seven rams—The Levites seem to have entered on this duty with fyar and trembling; and finding that they might advance witliout any such Indications of Divine wrath as Uzza had experienced (ch. 13. 10), they offered an ox and a fatted sheep immediately after starting (2 Samuel 6. 13), and seven bullocks and seven rams—a perfect sacrifice at the close of the procession (cli. IG. 1). It is probable that preparations had been made for the olTering of similar sacrifices at regular intervals along the way. 37. n robe of line Unen Hetrretv, Butz—is rather supposed in the later books to denote cotton, an epl»o<l—A shoulder garment, a cincture or cape over his dress. It was worn by tiie priests, l)ut was not so peculiar to tliem as to be forbidden others (1 Samuel 2. 18; 22. 18). 3fl. MIclinl . . . saw . . . David dancing and playing—His movements would be slow and solemn, suitable to the grave and solemn character of the music. Though his royal robes were laid aside, he was attired like the other officials, showing a becoming humility In the immediate presence of God. The feelings manifested by Michal were only an ebullition of spleen from a proud and passionate woman.
20; 106.48.) In the former, the autlior of the doxology utters the amen himself, wiiile in the latter the people are exhorted to say nmen. This may arise from tlie fact that the latter psalm originally concluded willi the iiijuiu-tion to say amen. But in this historitral account of the festival, it was necessao' to relate that tlie people obeyed this injunction on the CK'casion referred to, and therefore the words "let them praise," were alK-red into "and they praised." [BEit'niEAU.] 37-4:4. So lie left tlicre, before tUe covenant of tlie LiOitl, Ag.ipli and liis bretlii'en, etc —The sequel of the chapter describes the appointment of the sacred musicians and their respective duties. 38. Obed-e»lom wUli tlieir bretliren—llosali, mentioned i\% the close of the verse, and a great number bi sides (see oa ch. 26). to be porters—doorkeeiiei's. .'JO, 40. And Zailok
. . . before tlie tal»ernacle ... at fJil)eon—While the officers above-mentioned, under the superintendence of Abiatliar, were appointed to officiate in .Terusalein. whitlier the ark had been brought—Zadok and the priests subordinate to him were stiitloned at Oibeon to perform the sacred service before tlie ancient talieriiacle wliich
still remained there, continnally morning and evening—fis the law enjoined (Kxixlus 2!>. 38; Numliers 28. 3, 6). and do accoiiHng to all tliat is m rltten in tlie la\r (See Numbers 28.) Thus, in the tiiiieof J>a\ id, tlie worsliip was performed at two places, where the sacred things that had been tmnsmltted frOm the agiMif Moses w(>re preserved. Befoi-e tlie ark lu .lerusalem, Asapll and his bretliern officiated as singers—Obed-edom and Hosall serveil as door-keepers—Benalah and .leliaziel blew th«' trumpets—while at the tabernacle and burnt odoring la Oibeon, Heman and Ji\lulhun presided over tlie sacred music; the sons of Jeduthnn were dooi^keepers, and Zadok, with his suite of attendant priests, oH'ored the
Ver. 1-6. David's Festival, Sackifich and IjIhekALITY TO THE I'EOPLB. 8. lie blegsed th* people in tlic name of tlic Lord—the king commended their zeal, supplicated the Divine lili ssing upon them, and ordered the remains of the thank otforings which had been profusely sacrificed during the procession, to be dlstriliuted In certain proportions to every individual, that the ceremonial miglit terminate with appropriate festivities (Deuteronomy 12. 7). 3. flagon of wine—tlie two latter words are a supplement by our translators, .and the former Is, In other versions, rendered not a "flagon," but a "cake;" a confection, as the Spptunr/int. renders It, ma<lo of Hour and lioriey. 4-0. lie appointed certain of tlie I.evltcs to minister before tUc ark of the I^ord—No sooner was the ark deposited in Its tent than the Levites, who were to officiate in the choirs belbre it, entered upon tlielr duties; a select number of the musicians being cliosen for the service from the llst(ch. 15. li)-21) of those who had taken a prominent part in the recent procession. Tlie same arrangement was to b(! observed in tlieir duties, now that tlie ark was again stationary; Asapli, wllli his {i«sociiites, <!onip<)sing tlie first or principal company, played with cymbals; Zechariah and his (rolieagues, with whom were eoiijoiiietl Jelel nml Ob(<d-edom, forming the
sacrifices.
CIIArTER XVII.
Ver. 1-10. David Fouhidden to Huii.d Goti an Hoitsr,
1. as David sat In liis lioiise—The details of tills cliiipter were given in nearly similar terms (2 Samuel 7). The date was towards the latter end of David's reign, for It Is expressly said In the former book to have been at the cessation of all his wars. But as to narrate tlie pivparatlouH for the removal of the ark and the eri<cHon of the tempi*" was the principal oliject of the historian, tlie e}:HCt clironology Is not I'ollowed. !i, I Have gone fioiu tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to aiiotlier—The /il, rendering is, " I was walking In a tent and in a dwelling." The evident Intention (as we may see Irom r. ll) was to lay stress upon the fact tlmtGod was a MitUlKiltvlcUi travel-
2.W
David Subdues the PhilUtincs, etc. 1 CHRONICLES XVIII, XIX. His Messe7igers to ITanun Maltreated.
ling God) and went from one place to another with Us tent and his entire divelling (the dwelling included not merely the tent, but the lore-courts with the altar of burnt offer-
hereditar,v title of the rulers of , that kingdom. Zobah— Its situation is determined by the words "unto" or " tf>- wards Hamath," a little to the north-east of Damascus, and is supposed by some to be the same place as in earlier times was called Hobah (Genesis 14. lo). Previous to the rise of Damascus, Zoljah was the capital of the kingdom which held supremac.v among the pet t.v states of iSyria as lie went to establish his dominions by the river Euplirates—Some refer thi's to Diivid, who was seeking to extend his possessions in one direction towards a point Ijordering on the Euphrates, in accordance with the promise (Genesis 15. 18; Numbers 24, 17). But others are of opinion that, as David's name is iiioitioned {v. 4), this reference is most applicalile to Hadadezer. 4:-§. David took Jrom him a thousand chariots—(See on 2 Samuel 8. 3-14.) In that passage David is said to have taken 700 horsemen, whereas here it is .said that lie took 7000. This great discrepanc.v in the text of the two narratives seems to have origin.ated with a transcriber in confounding tlie two Hebrew letters which indicate the numbers, and in neglecting to mark or obscure the points over one of them. We have no means of ascertaining whether 7(W or 7000 be the more correct. Probalily the former should be adopted. [Davidson's Herm,] but resened of them an hundred cliarlots—Probably to grace a triumphal procession on his return to Jerusalem, and after using them in that way, destroy them like the rest. 8. from TibliatJi and from Cimn—Tliese places are called Bctah and Berothai (2 Samuel 8.8), Perhaps the one might be the Jewish, the other the Syrian name of tliese towns. Neither their situation nor the connection between them is known. The i> rabic version makes them to be Kmesa (now Hems) and Baal-bek, both of which agree very well with the relative position of Zobah. 9-13. Tou—Or Toi—whose dominions border on those of Hadadezer, (See on 2 Samuel 8. 9-12
ings, A-c.) [Bertheau.] 6. spake I a word to any of the Judges—in 2 Samuel 7. 7 it is "any of the tribes" of Israel. Both are included. But the judges " who were commanded to feed the people," form the more suitable antitliesis to David. Wliy liave ye not built me an Iiouse of cetlars T —i. e., a solid and magnificent temple. 'T. Tims saitli tlie
Liord, I took tliee from the sheep-cote—a round tower of rude construction, high walled, but open at the top, in wliich sheep are often enclosed at night to protect them from wild beasts. Tlie meaning is. Elevated you to the throne from a humble condition solely by an actof Divine grace, and not fi'om anj' antecedent merits of your own
(see on 1 Samuel 16. II), and enabled you to acquire renown, equal or superior to any other monarch. Your reign will ever be afterwards regarded as the iiest and brightest era in the history of Israel, for it will secure to the nation a settled inheritance of pi'osperity and peace, without any of the oppressions or disorders that afflicted them in early times. 9, 10. at the beginning, an«l since tlie time I commanded judges—t. e., including the whole period from Joshua to Saul. I tell thee, The Lord will build thee an house—this was the language of Natlian himself, who was specially directed to assure David, not only of personal Ijlessing and prosperity, but of a continuous line of royal descendants. 11. I will raise up thy seetl— (2 Samuel 7. 12.) 13. I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took It from him that was before thee—My procedure in dealing with him will be different from my disposal of Saul. Should his misconduct call for personal chastisement, I shall sp.are his family. If I see it necessary to withdraw my favour and help for a time, it will be a corrective discipline only to reform and restore, not to destroy. (On this passage some have founded an argument for Solomon's repentance and return to God.) 14. I win settle him in my liousc—over my people Israel, and in my kingdom—God here asserts His right of supreme sovereignty in Israel. David and Solomon, with their successors, were only the vicegerents whom He nominated, or, in his providence, permitted. His throne Kliall be established for ever—Tlie posterity of David inherited the throne in a long succession—but not always. In such a connection as this, the phrase "for ever" is employed in a restricted sense (see on Lamentations 3.
I Kings 11. 1.5.) 17. the Cherethites and the Pclcthites— Who formed the royal body-guard. The Cherethites were, most probably, those brave men who all along accompanied David while amcuig the Philistines, and from that people derived their name (1 Samuel 30. 14; Ezekiel 25. 16; Zeplianiah 12.5) as well as their skill in archery—while the Pelethites were those who joined him at Ziklag, took their name from Pelet, the chief man in the company (ch.
12, 3), and, being Bcnjamites, were expert in the use of tho filing.
31). We naturally expect the prophet to revert to David before concluding, after having spoken {v. 12) of the building of Solomon's temple. The promise that his house should be blessed was intended as a compensation for the disappointment of his wisli to build the temple, and hence
Ver, 1-5. David's Messengers, Sent to Comfort HaNUN, are Disgracefully Treated. 1. after this—This phrase seems to indicate that the incident now to be related took place immediately, or soon after the wars described in the preceding chapter. But the chronological order is loosely observed, and the onl.y just inference that can be drawn from the use of this phrase is, that some fartlier account is to be given of tlie wars against the Syrians. Nahasli the king of the chllflren of Ammon died—There had subsisted a very friendly relation between David and liim, begun during the exile of the former, and cemented, doubtless, liy their common hostility to Saul. 3. are not his servants come unto thee for to search I —i.e., thy capital, Uabbali. (2 Samuel 10.3.) shaved them—Not completely, but only the. half of their face. This disrespect to the be.'ird, and indecent exposure of their persons by their clothes being cut ofl from the girdle downwards, was the grossest indignity to which Jews, in common witli all Orientals, could be subjected. No wonder that the men were ashamed to appear in j)ublic—that the king recomiueniled them to remain in seclusion on the border till the marie of their disgrace liad disappeared —and then they might, witli jiropricty, return to the court.
this assurance is appropriately repeated at theconcUision of the prophet's address. [Bertheau.] 15. According to all . . . this vision—The revelation of the Divine will was made to the propliet in a dream. 16. David tlie king sat before the Lord, and said—(See on 2 Samuel 7. 18-29.)
Ver. 1, 2. David Subdues the Philistines and MoabITKS. 1. David took Oatli and lier towns—The full extent of David's conquests in the Philistine territory is here distinctly stated, whereas in the parallel passage (2 Samuel 8. I) it was only de8cril)ed in a general way. Gath was the " Metlieg-animali," 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 olitained the complete control of his restless neigliljours. a. he smote Noab—The terrible severities l)y which David's conquest of that people wtis marked, and the probalile reason of their lielng subjected to such a dreadful retribution, are narrated (2 Samuel 8. 2). the Moabltes brought gifts— i.c., became tril)utary to Israel.
6-15, Joar \nd AmsHAi Overcome the .'V.mmonites. 6. when the children of Amnion saw thattiiey made tliemselves odious to David—One universal feeling of indignation was roused Ihrougliout Israel, and all classes supported the king in his determination to avenge this unprovoked insult on the Hebrew nation, Ilaiiun . . . sent a tlioiMand talents of silver—asuui e<jual lo X.ili.llHJ
.'W17. Smites Hadade/.eb AND THE Syrians, 3. Iladarner—Or Hadadezer (2 Samuel 8.3), which was probably ti^e original form of tlie name, was derived from Iladad, n Syrian deity. It seems to have becvjine the oflicial and
Rabbah Besieged by Joab, 1 CHRONICLES XX, XXI. David's Sin in Xuitibei-ing the People.
Three Giants Slain. 4. war at Geza—or Gob (see
to procure the services of foreign mercenaries, char-
2 Samuel 21. 18-22).
iots ami horsemen out of Mesopotamia, . . . Syriamaachah, and . . . Zobah—The Mesopotamian troops did not arrive during tliis campaign {v. IB). Syria-maachali
lay on tlie north of the possessions of tlie transjoidanic
Ver. 1-13. David Sins in Numbering the People. 1. Satan stood up against Israel—God, by withdrawing His grace at this time from David (see on 2 Samuel 24. 1), permitted the tempter to prevail over him, and as the result of this successlul temptation was the entail of a heavy calamity as a punishment from God upon the people, it might be said that "Satan stood up agaiiist Israel." number Israel—In the act of taking the census of a peo-
Israelites, near Gilead. Zobah—(see on ch. 18. 3). 7. they hired thirty and two thousand chariots Ilcb., riders,
or cavalry, accustomed to fight either on horseback or in
chariots, and occasionally on foot, and accepting this as
rate true rendering, the number of liired auxiliaries men-
tioned in this passage agrees exactly with the statement
in 2 Samuel lU. 6. 20,000, 12,000 (from Tob), equal to 32,000, and lOUO with the king of Maachah. S. David . . . sent Joab, and all the host of tlie mlglity men—The whole
ple, there is not only no evil, but much utility. But numbering Israel—that people who were to become as the stars for multitude, implying a distrust of the Divine promise, was a sin; and though it had been done with impunity in the time of Moses, at that enumeration eacli of the people had contributed "lialf a shekel towards the building of the tabernacle," that tliere might be no plague among them wlien he numbered them (ExckIus 30. 12). Hence the numbering of that people was in itself regarded as an undertaking by -wiiich the anger of God could be easily aroused ; but when tlie arrangements were made by Moses for the taking of the census, God was not angry because the people were numbered for the express purpose of the tax for the sanctuary, and the money which was thus collected ("the atonement money," Exodus 30.
forces of Israel, including the great military orders, were engaged in this war. 9. children of Ammon put the battle In array before the gate of tlie city— i. c, out-
side the walls of Medebah, a frontier town on the Arnon.
tlie kings tliat were come were by tliemselves In the field—The Israelitish army being thus beset by the Ammonites in front, and by the Syrian auxiliaries behind, Joab resolved to attack the latter—the more numerous and formidable host—while he directed his brother Abis-
hai, with asuitable detachment, to attack the Ammonites. Joab s address before the engagement displays the faitli and piety that became a commander of the Hebrew peo-
ple. The mercenaries being defeated, the courage of the Ammonites failed ; so that, taking flight, they entrenched themselves within the fortified walls.
16) appeased Him. Everything depended, therefore, upon the design of tlie census. [Bertheau.] The sin of David numbering the people consisted in its being either to gratify his pride to ascertain the number of warriors lie could muster for some meditated plan of conquest, or, perhaps, more likely still, to institute a regular and permanent system of taxation, which he deemed necessary to provide an adequate establishment for the monarchy, but which was regarded as a tyrannical and oppressive exaction—nh innovation on the liberty of the people—
16-19. .Shophach Slain by David. 16. And when tlie Syrians saw that they were put to the worse—iSee on
2 Samuel 10. 15-19.) 18. David slew of the Syrians seven thousand men—(Cf.2 Samuel 10. 18, whicli has seven hundred chariots.) Either the text in one of the books is corrupt [Keil, David.son], or tlie accounts must be combined, giving this result—7000 horsemen, 7000 chariots, and -10,000 footmen. [Kennicott, Houbigaxt, Caljiet.]
departure from ancient usage unbecoming a king of Israel, 3. wliy will he be a cause of trespass to Israel !—or bring an occasion of punishment on Israel. In Ilcl)., the word sin is often used synonymously with the punishment of sin. In the course of Providence, tlie people frequently sulfer for the misconduct of their rulers. 5. Joab gave the sum of the number of the chilflren of Israel—It amounted to one million one hundred thousand men in Israel, capable of bearing arms. Inclusive of the ,300,000 military (ch. 27.), which, being already enlisted in the royal service, were not reckoned (2 Samuel 21. 9), and to 170,IX)0 men in Judah, omitting 30,0(X) which forniod an army of observation statione*! on the I'hlllstine fron-
Ver. 1-.3. Rabbah Besieged by Joab, Spoiled by Pavid, and the People Tortured. 1. at the time when kings go out to battle—in spring, the usual season in ancient times for entering on a campaign ;— i. e., a year subsequent to the .Syrian war.- Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country . , . ofAmmon— The former campaign had been disastrous, owing chiefly
to the hired auxiliaries of the Ammonites; and as it was necessary, as well as just, that they should be severely chastised for their wanton outrage on the Hebrew ambassadors, Joab ravaged their country, Invested their capital,
tier (2 Samuel (). 1). So large a population at tlii^ early period, considering the limited extent of the country, and comparing it with the earlier census (Numbers 2(!.), is h striking proof of the fulfilment of the promise (Genesis 15.
Kabbah, and'having, after a protracted siege, taken one part of it, the lower town or "city of waters," insulated by the winding course of the .labbok, he knowing that the fort called " the royal city" would soon fall. Invited the king to come in person, and have the honour of storming it. The knowledge of this fact (mculioned 2 Samuel
!>). 6. Levi and Benjamin counted lie not.—If this census was ordered with a view to the imposi'lon of taxes, this alone would account for Ijcvi, who were not warriors
(r. r>), not being numbered (see on Numbers 1. 47-r«). The population of Benjamin had been taken (see on ch.7. 0-11), and the register preserved In tho archives of that tribe. This, however, was taken on another occasion, and by <Mher agency than that of Joab. The non-numbering of
12. 20} enables us to reconcile the two statemen's—" David tarried at Jerusalem" (v. 1), and "David and all Ilie people returned to Jerusalem " (v. 3). a. David took the crown of their king, and found It to weigh a talent of gold—Equal to 12.5 lbs. Some think that Ma/com, rendered in our version " their king," should be taken as a ))roper name, Milcom or Molech, the Ammonite lilol, which, of course, might bear a heavy weight, lint, like many other state crowns of Eastern kings, the (^own got at Kabbah was not worn on the head, but suspended by chains of gold above the throne, precious atones—i/c/j., a stone, or cluster of precious stones, which was set on David's head. 3. cut them with saws, <fec.—The Jfch. word, "cut them," is, with the dlllerence of the Ilnal letter, the same as that rendered " put them," In th(^ parallel passage of Samuel; and many consider thai i)uttlng them to saws, axes, Ac, means nothing more than that David condemned the Inhabitants of Rabl)ah to hard »nd penal servitude.
llie.se two tribes might have originated in the special and gracious providence of God, partly because Levi was devoted to His service, and Benjamin had become the least
of all the tribes (Judges 21.); and j)artly because God foresaw that they would remain fallhful to the house of David
in the division of the tribes, and therefore would not have them dimlnlslied. [Poole.] From the course followed In this survey (see on 2 Samuel 2t. 4-8), It would np-
))ear that Judah and Benjamin were the last tribes that were to be visited, and thai, alter the census In Judah had been finished, Joab, l)i>fore enliM lng on that of lienjamln, had to return to Jeru.salem, where the king, now sensible of Ills great error, g.ivo orders to slop all further proceedings In the business. Not only tho remonstrance of Joab at the first, but his slow progress In the survey (2 Samuel
4-8. Three Oveuthrows of the Philistines, and
David Builds an Altar, 1 CHRONICLES XXII, XXIII. Number and Distribution of Ihe LevUes.
home, up Mount Moriah, to erect an altar on premises which he had to buy. It was on or close. to the spot where A'oraliam had otTered up Isaac, answered lilm l»y lire fi'om heaven — (See Leviticus 9. 24; 1 Kings 18. 21-2'!: 2 Kings 1. 12: 2 Chronicles 7. 1.) 28. when David saw flint the Lord had answered him, l»e sacriliccd tlicre—Or. lie continued to sacrifice there. Perceiving his sacrifice was acceptable, he proceeded to make additional ofl'eriiigs there, and seek favour by prayer and expiatory rites ; fur the dread of the menacing angel destroying Jerusah
24.8) showed the strong repugnance and even horror of
the old general at this unconstitutional measure. 9..tUe Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer—Although David was himself endowed with a prophetic gift, yet, in mat-
ters relating to himself or his kingdom, he was in the habit of consulting the Lord through the medium of the
priests, and when he failed to do so, a prophet was sent on extraordinary occasions to admonish or chastise him. Gad, a private friend, was occasionally employed as the
liearer of these prophetic messages. 11, la. CJioose thee, Ac—To the iTtree evils these correspond in beautiful agreement: i/iree years, three months, three days. [Bektheau.]
while he was absent in the centre of worship at Giljt^on, especially reverence for the Divine Being, led h\\n to continue his adorations in that place which (Jod (2 Chronicles
(See on 2 Samuel 2i. 13.) 13. let me fall now into the hand of the Lord . . . let me not fall into the hand of man—Experience had taught him that human passion and vengeance had no bounds, whereas our wise and gra-
3. 1) had hallowed by the tokens of His presence and gracious acceptance.
cious Father In heaven knows the kind, and regulates the
extent, of chastisement which every one needs. I*, 15. So the Lord . . . sent an angel unto Jenisalem to destroy it—The infliction onl.v of the pestilence is here no-
Ver. 1-5. David Prepares for Building thp; Temple.
1. David said. This is the house of the Lord God—By the miraculous sign of fire from heaven, and perhaps other intimations, David understood it to be the will of God that the national place of worship should be fixed there, and he forthwith proceeded to make preparations for the erection of the temple on that spot. 2. David commanded to gather together the strangers—Partly the descendants of the old Canaanites (2 Chronicles 8.7-10),." from whom was exacted a tribute of bond-service, and partly war captives (2 Chronicles 2. 7), reserved for the great work he contemplated.
ticed, without any account of Its duration or its ravages, while a minute description is given of the visible appearance and menacing attitude of the destroying angel, stood by tlie threshing-floor of Ornan tlie Jebusite—Oman was probably his Hebrew or Jewish, Araunah his Jebusite
or Canaanitish, name. Whether he was the old king of Jebus,as that title is given to him (2 Samuel 24. 23), or not, he had been converted to the worship of the true God, and was possessed both of property and influence. 16. David and the elders . . . clotlied in sackcloth, fell upon
6-19. He Instructs Solomon. 6. Then he called for Solomon . . . and cliargetl him—The earnestness and solemnity of this address creates an impression that it was given a little before the old king's decease. He unfolded his great and long-cherished plan, enjoined tlie building of God's house as a sacred duty on him as h s son and successoi', and described the resources that wtre at command for carrying on the woi-k. The vast amount ot personal property he had accumulated in the jnccious metals must have been spoil taken from the pec pie iie had conquered, and the cities he had sacked.
tltelr faces—They appeared in the garb and assumed the attitude of humble penitents, confessing their sins, and deprecating the wrath of God.
18-30. He Builds an Altab. 18. the angel of the liord commanded Gad to say—The order about the erec-
tion of an altar, as well as the indication of its site, is described (2 Samuel 24. 18) as brought directly by Gad. Here we are informed of the quarter whence the prophet got his commission. It is only in the later stages of Israel's history that we find angels employed in communicating the Divine will to the prophets. 30, 31. Ornan was threshing wlieat—If the census was entered upon in autumn, the beginning of the civil year, the nine and a half months it occupied would end at wheat-harvest. The eommon way of threshing corn is by spreading it out on a high level area, and driving backwards and forwards upon it two oxen harnessed to a clumsy sledge with three