Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Paviil Tain Zionfrrna the Jebiisiles. 2 SAMUEL V, VI. He Brings the Ark from Kirjath-jcarim.
10-12. Oavtd Cafsks TiiF.M to p,k Put to Death. 11. slew ISit'in, an<l cut ofi" Sheir Itniids and tUeir feet—As the instnmieiits in iK i-petnilint; tlieir crime. The exposure of tlie mutilated remains was intended as not only a punishment of their crime, but also the attestation of David's abliorreuce.
west. It was the route by which they marched again.st Jerusalem. The " hold" to whicli David went down " was some fortified place where he might oppose the progress of the invaders," and where he signally defeated fhein. 31. there tliey left their images—Probably their lares or household deities, which they had brought into the field to fight for them. They were burnt as ordained by law (Deuteronomy 7. 5). 23. the Philistines came up yet again—The next year they renewed their ho.stile attempt with a larger force, but God manifestly interposed in David's favour. 34. the sound of a going in the tops of the mulljerrjtrees—Now generally thought not to lie mull)erry trees, but some other tree, most probably
CHAPTER V.
Ver. 1-). The Tribes Anoint David Kino over IsKAKU 1. Tlien caine all ttie tribes of Isi-ael—A combined de))Utiition of the lending authorities in every tribe. David possessed the first and indispensahlc quiilification for the throne, viz., tliat of being nn Isiaelite (Deuteronomy 17. 1')); of liis military talejil lie liad I'urnislied ample proof, and the people's desire lor his assumption of the government of Israel v.as fnrtlier increased by their knowledge of the will ami purpose of Goil, as declared by Samuel (1 Samuel Ki. 11-l.i). 3. King D.avid made a lengne ivitli them in Hebron before tbe Iord—(see on I Samuel ID. 2.5). This formal declaration of tlie constltutiim was chielly made at the commencement of a new dj-nastj", or at the restoration of the royal family after a usurp.ation (2 Kings 11. 17), though circumstances sometimes led to its being renewed on the accession of any new sovereign (1 Kings 12. 4). It seems to hav<' been accompanied by religious solemnities.
tlie poplar, which delights in moist situations, and tlie leaves of which are rustled by the slightest movement of the air. [Uoylf.]
CHATTER VI.
A'er. 1^5. David Fetches the Ark from KikjathJEAU13I ON A New Cart. 1. Again David gathered togetlier all the chosen men of Israel—(See ch. 5. 1.) The ob.ject of this second assembly was to commence a national movement lor establishing the ark in Jerusalem, after it had continued nearly fifty years in the house of Abinadab (see pn 1 Chronicles 13. 1-5). 3. from Baalc of Judah —A very large force of picked men were selected for this important work, lest the undertaking might be opposed or obstructed by the Philistines. Besides, a great concourse of people accompanied them out of veneration for the sacred edifice. The journey lo Baale, which is related
()-12. .He Takes Zion from the .Tebusites. 6. the king and Uis nten went to Jerusalem unto tlie JebnsItcs—Tlie first expedition of David, as king of the whole country, was directed against this place, which had hitherto remained in the liands of the natives. It was strongly fortilied, and deemed so impregnable that the blind and lame were sent to man the battlements, in derisive mockery of the Hebrew king's attack, and to shout "David cannot come in hither." To understand the full meaning and force of tliis Insulting taunt, it is necessary to bear in mind the depth and steepness of the valley of Gilion, and the lofty walls of the ancient Canaanitish fortress. 7. StrongUold of Zion—Whether Zion bo the soutli-western hill commonly so called, or the peak now level on the north of the temple mount, it is the towering heiglit which catches the eye from every quarter; "the hill fort," " the rocky hold " of Jerusalem.
(1 Chronicles 13. 0), is here presupposed, and the historian describes the course of the procession frmn that place to the capital. 3. they set the ark of Go«l upon a new cart—Or covered wagon (see on 1 .Samuel B. 7). This was a hasty and inconsiderate procedure, in violation of an express statute (see on Numbers i. U, \!> ; 7. 9 ; IS. 3).
6-11. UZZAII Smitten. G. they came to Naehcn'g threshing-floor—Or Chidou's (1 Chronicles 13. 9i. Tlio Chaldee version renders the words "came to the place prejiared for the reception of the ark," i. e., near the city of David (i'. 13). the oxen shook it—Or stumbled (1 Chronicles 13. 9). Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under tlie impulse of momentary feeling, laid hold of it to keep it steady. Whether it fell and crushed him, or some sudden disease attacked him, he fell dead upon the spot, and this mehvicholy occurrence not only threw a cloud over the joyous scune, but entirely stopped the procession; for the ark was left where it then was, in the near neighbourhood of the capital. It is of importance to observe the pvoporlioiuite severity of the punislimeuts attending the profanation of the ark. The Philistines sud'ered by diseases, from which they were relieved by their oblations, liecau.se the law liad not been .given to tliem; the Betli-shemiles also sufl'ered, but not fatally ; their error proceeded from ignorance or inadvertency. But U/.zah, who was a Le-
8. Wbosoever gettetli up to tlie gutter—This is thought by some to mean a subterranean passage; by others a spout through which water was poured upon the fire which the besiegers often applied to the woodwork at the gateways, and l).y the projections of which a skilful climbcu' might make his ascent good ; a tliird class render the words, "whosoever dashetli them against the precipice" (1 Chronicles 11. 0). O. David <lwelt In tlie fort, &c. —Having taken it b.y storm, he cluiiiged its name to "the city of David," to signify the importance of the conquest, and to perpetuate the meinor.v of the event. David built round al»o\«t from Millo anu inward—I'rohalily a row of stone bastions placed on the nortliern side of iMouut Zion, and built by David to secure himself on that side from the Jebusites, who still lived in tlie lower part of thecily. The house of JliUo was perhaps the principal coriu'r-tower of that fortitUd wall. 11, 1~. Iliraiu . . . sent earjieuters and inason!.—The influx of Tyriau arcliivite, and well instructed, suflcred death for his broach of the law. The severity of U/.zali's fate may seem to us too great lor the nature and dt'gree of the offence. But it does not become us to sit in judgment on the dispensations of God ; and, besides, it is apparent that the Divine purpose was to inspire awe of His majesty, a submission to His law, anil a profound veneration for tlie symbols and ordinances of His worship. 9. David was afrt.id of the I.iord that ilay, &c.—His feelings on tills alariuiiig judgment were greatly excited on various accounis, dreading that the displeasure of God had been provoked by the removal of the ark, that the punishment would be extended to himself and people, and that they niigl t tects and meclianics allords a dear evidence of the low state to which, tlirough the disorders of long-continued war, tlie betUu' class of artisans had declined in Israel.
i:i-l(i. Eleven Sons Uorn to Him. 11. David took
Itiin more eoncublnes and wives— In tliis conduct David transgressed an express law, which forbade tlie king of Israel to multiply wives unto himself (Deuteronomy 17. 17).
17-2). He Smites the rini,iSTiNES. 17. when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel— During the civil war between tlie house of Saul and David, tliose restkss neighbours had remained fall into .some error or neglect during the further conveyance of the ark. He resolved, therefore, lo wail for moro light and direction as to tlie'patli of duty. An earlier consultation by Urlm would have led liiin right at the fjuiet spectators of the coutest. But now. Jealous of David, they resolved to attack him before liis government was luUy (wlahlished. IS. Valley of llephaim first, whereas in this perplexity and distress, he was neaping llie fruits of iiiconsidi Malion and neglect. IV Obedcdom the Gitlite—A Levlte (1 Clironlcles 15. IS, 21, 21 ; 16.
i. e., of giants, a broad auu fertile plain, which descends BrHduutl,y from the ccaitral mountains towards the north-
6; 26.4). He Is called a Gittlte, either from his resldeu(i»